Officials investigating waterfowl die-off in Panhandle
DALHART -- State and federal officials are investigating the deaths of about 2,000 geese and ducks discovered Dec. 14 near Dalhart in the northwest Texas Panhandle. Preliminary results of lab evaluations indicate naturally-occurring avian cholera is a factor.
Avian cholera poses no threat to human health, and while the die-off could affect local waterfowl populations, wildlife officials say isolated events like this are not uncommon for the area.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists and game wardens observed about 1,000 dead geese on Lake Rita Blanca, a 500-acre impoundment on the outskirts of Dalhart. An additional 1,000 dead geese and ducks were found on a nearby wetland.
TPWD officials suspect the die-off event likely began during the first week of December when temperatures in the area dropped to near zero for lows and stayed near or below freezing during the day for about a week. Flocks of about 30,000 geese were on Lake Rita Blanca when temperatures plummeted, causing the lakes to freeze up.
Biologists theorize the near-zero temperatures triggered stress in the geese, which often gives rise to disease outbreaks. In this case, preliminarily signs suggest avian cholera as a likely bacterial agent involved.
Fifteen specimens of waterfowl collected from the site by the TPWD were shipped to the U.S. Geological Service's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisc., for clinical evaluation to determine the cause of death. USGS Wildlife Disease Specialist Dr. LeAnn White advised the TPWD that a preliminary examination of the specimens were suggestive of a cholera outbreak, but cultures of the causal agent will not be ready for several more days. A formal report will be sent to the TPWD at that time.
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