Show BOTULISM VICTIM A botulism outbreak on Great Salt Lake marshes has recently caused moderate waterfowl according to the Division of Wildlife Large numbers of ducks on the Great Salt Lake marshes are dying from a botulism Losses at Farmington have been AVIAN botulism usually affects only a small fraction of the millions of waterfowl that use Utah alkaline marshes each A Division spokes man said many hunters will see some of this year's victims when they go afield 2 for the opening of the 1971 waterfowl Good hunt- Botulism has again struck ducks in the south Davis One of those trying to help is Rendell N. local attorney and Mabey has a permit to take sick fowl to his home and care for When they are well he releases them in the presence of a game but is allowed to keep a certain percentage for his Mabey tosses the ducks into the They immediately wheel and head directly for the marsh ing is still expected this Toxin from anaerobic bacteria which decompose dead water insects is the Contributing conditions are summer lowered water levels on and recently exposed mud This combination of conditions occurs practically every summer triggering a botulism outbreak on marshes of Great Salt Lake's east WATERFOWL the toxin or poison as they feed in the Some become infected and eventually lose control of certain body Where practical hundreds of dead and dying ducks and shore birds have been removed from the marshes along the Sick ducks often recover when moved to fresh water NATURE IS most successful in treating the disease through cooling fall temperatures and the freshening of marsh waters by |