It was a fungus, not avian flu, that killed 81 mallard ducks at Ocean Lake in central Wyoming, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
However, the flu infected one Canada goose at the lake and killed two more at Lion’s Park in Cheyenne.
Mass Duck Die-Off
The bird flu was suspected when dozens of dead ducks were discovered in late November at the Ocean Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Area southeast of Pavillion near the Wind River Reservation. It was initially reported that 77 ducks had perished, but the death toll was later raised to 81.
An ailing Canada goose also was found and mercy killed by game agents. Its carcass later tested positive for bird flu.
The duck’s carcasses tested negative for the virus, Game and Fish reports. Instead, it was discovered they had been killed from a respiratory fungal infection called aspergillosis.
Cheyenne Geese Also Could Start Dying
The strain of bird flu now circulating around the globe is highly contagious and extremely deadly among birds. That means Cheyenne could soon see mass goose death. Two Canada geese found dead in Lion’s Park last month tested positive for the virus, Game and Fish reports.
The virus is considered to be a “low risk” to humans, but wildlife agents and public health officials still caution people against handling birds they’ve found dead. They also advise waterfowl and upland bird hunters to thoroughly cook meat from the birds they’ve killed.
Effect On Food Markets
Some Wyoming waterfowl hunters and hunting guides recently told Cowboy State Daily they didn’t think the avian flu outbreak would impact their hunting season.
However, bird flu has killed millions of domestic poultry across the country, which resulted in a shortage of Thanksgiving turkeys. The virus also has been partly blamed for a recent egg shortage and spike in egg prices at Wyoming grocery stores.
