Numbers of dead sea birds washing ashore on Assateague . |
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Thursday, July 14, 2005 Officials are warning people to not touch the dead birds, but contact the Park Service or Town of Ocean City if dead birds are found. In Asia, numerous accounts of an extremely contagious dangerous "bird flue" has had officials concerned and worried about cross species contamination. In America, we are worried that this particular bad stain of the "bird flue" may migrate to United States. An unusual number of sea birds called Shearwaters, closely resemble sea gulls but usually darker of color, have been found dead along the beach. These birds are general considered "sea birds" and obtain their food from the sea. A total of 12 birds have been found in the last two weeks, an unusual number, since these birds "live" at sea. One natural cause of death could just be that the migratory pattern of the birds has brought them closer to shore, and because of this proximity a larger than normal amount of dead birds have washed ashore. But this may not explain completely the fact that nearly a 1000 dead sea birds have been accounted for along the southern east coast of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Other possibilities for death could be bacteria or even harmful algae blooms, called red tides. Samples of the dead sea birds have been shipped to the Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin for diagnostic testing. But at this date, the tests have not revealed any cause or reason for the bird's deaths. |
Pictures and Info about Shearwater Sea Birds |
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