Public urged to report sick or deceased fowl due to avian botulism to Mission Viejo Animal Services

Over the past few days, Animal Services has been working to mitigate an avian botulism outbreak in the Aliso Creek at Sycamore Park. On Sunday, Animal Services received a report of several sick and deceased mallard ducks in the Aliso Creek at Sycamore Park. Upon arrival, Animal Control Officers found 14 deceased and six sick mallards. Officers also located several piles of bread left by a person intending to feed wildlife. The symptoms of the ducks indicated the likely suspect was exposure to Avian Botulism C. The officers quickly removed the deceased and ill birds and transported them to Wetlands & Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Huntington Beach. Several of the deceased birds were sent to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife Health Laboratory for testing to confirm avian botulism.

While avian botulism outbreaks are not typically associated with human illness, they are caused by a toxin-producing bacteria that occurs naturally in bodies of water. The bacteria grow as water temperatures rise and the water becomes stagnant. During bacterial growth, the botulinum toxin is produced and becomes concentrated in the bodies of invertebrates such as fly larvae, which are then consumed by waterfowl and other birds. In California’s reemerged Tulare Lake, an ongoing avian botulism incident has so far impacted more than 1,678 birds since August.

As the bacteria is spread from other birds ingesting maggots from carcasses, it is imperative to remove deceased birds as soon as possible to hopefully mitigate the spread of the outbreak. On Sunday, Animal Services Department activated the HOWL (Helping Out Wildlife Locally) Volunteer program. Volunteers have been working diligently patrolling the Aliso Creek to identify and report deceased and sick birds so Animal Control Officers can respond and immediately remove the animals. Since Sunday, 23 deceased mallards were removed and six sick birds transported for rehabilitation.

The Animal Services Department is asking residents to report sick or deceased water fowl to 949-470-3045. The public is urged to refrain from feeding wildlife, as it is both illegal and detrimental to the animals' well-being.