Honolulu: More than 100 endangered Laysan ducks have been found dead this month at Midway Atoll in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

The first dead duck was discovered August 10,and 106 adult and adolescent bird carcasses had been found as of Saturday, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Avian botulism is suspected as the cause of death, but that diagnosis has not been confirmed, Matt Brown, acting refuge manager at Midway, told the Honolulu Star Bulletin.

The Laysan duck is the rarest native waterfowl in the United States, with estimates indicating that fewer than 1,000 survive. We sincerely hope we have seen the worst of this outbreak, and that our Midway population of Laysan ducks will rebound quickly, Brown said.

Avian botulism is caused by a bacteria that produces a toxin when certain conditions are present, including stagnant water, warm temperatures and decaying vegetation. The disease paralyzes birds voluntary muscles, leading to drowning or asphyxiation. Avian botulism is not a threat to humans.

Wildlife officials are trying to reduce water stagnation in areas where the dead birds were found by adding large amounts of fresh water. The carcasses are being collected and burned to reduce further spread of the disease.

Located in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument covers almost 362,600 square kilometres of ocean wilderness. The Laysan duck population at Midway was estimated at 200 birds in December, but their numbers had nearly doubled since a successful hatching season. The remaining population on Laysan Island is about 600 ducks.

Source : PTI