APIndiana News

Indiana DNR probing songbird deaths, illnesses in 5 counties

(Photo Supplied/ Department of Natural Resources)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP): State wildlife officials are investigating reports of dead and dying songbirds in five Indiana counties that suffered from ailments seen in birds in several other states.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday it’s working with the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in its investigation.

The bird deaths and illnesses have been reported in Monroe, Clark, and Jefferson counties in southern Indiana and LaGrange and Lake counties in northern Indiana, the DNR said.

Several bird species, including Blue Jay, American Robin, and Northern Cardinal have been affected and displayed neurological signs of illness as well as eye swelling and crusty discharge.

The DNR said that all of the bird samples submitted to date have tested negative for avian influenza and West Nile virus, but final laboratory diagnostic results are pending.

Similar reports of dead or ailing songbirds problems have been reported in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.

Hoosiers can report sick or dead wildlife to the DNR online to alert agency staffers.

Related posts

Ashley Furniture recalls 900 floor lamps, burn hazards

Brooklyne Beatty

ISU Players, Coaches Mourn 7 Victims of Plane Crash

Kayla Blakeslee

Meth bill that would control pseudoephedrine sales being scaled back

AP News

Leave a Comment