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Dozens of ducks are dying at Riverside’s Fairmount Park. Officials are investigating why
Ducks swimming through the San Gabriel River.
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Samanta Helou Hernandez
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LAist
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Dozens of ducks and other wildlife have been dropping dead at Fairmount Park and the city of Riverside doesn’t know why.
Officials said they’re testing the soil, air, water, and animals to figure out what’s behind the mysterious scene at Lake Evans, with assistance from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The test results are expected to come back soon, and Pamela Galera, the director of Riverside Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, told LAist they’ll hopefully provide a path forward.
What we know so far
Dozens of ducks, geese, and other wildlife have been found dead at the park, as reported by ABC7, which is wedged between the Santa Ana River and State Route 60.
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People who frequent the area told the TV news station that some of the animals seemed lethargic and weak before they slipped underwater and succumbed to their symptoms.
We’ve seen something similar
Fairmount Park saw a similar situation in 2011 when several turtles, ducks, and other birds were found dead.
The Press-Enterprise reported at the time that a veterinarian determined it was due to a botulism outbreak, which is a naturally occurring neurotoxin.
The neurotoxin typically needs warm to hot temperatures and decomposing material to grow, which usually happens during the summer months into the early fall, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Birds accidentally ingest the toxin as they eat, and ducks are most commonly affected. The symptoms include progressive paralysis, most obvious in the legs and wings, followed by closed eyelids and a drooping head.
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An outbreak can be deadly, but it’s possible for sick birds to recover if they’re moved to fresh water in a safe environment, according to wildlife officials.
In California, avian botulism usually pops up at city and county park ponds, like Lake Evans at Fairmount Park, and water treatment plants.
It’s unclear at this point if a botulism outbreak is to blame.
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