AVIAN BOTULISM LETTER

HAIL TOM, GREAT DELIVERER OF DUCKS!

Yesterday I saw eight dead ducks at Elliot and Cooper Roads. A couple others were dying too.
It was a resurgence of the year 2000 avian botulism pestilence (a very interesting disease).
I informed the riparian people.
Here's the letter I got back the very next day (today April 1, 2016).
Yes, wherever I go there is happy backslapping and enthusiastic quacking!

Get a load of the way the disease works. And it does other stuff as well.

Tom,
Thank you for contacting us about the ducks at The Riparian Sanctuary at Neely Ranch. The Wastewater Division staff responded first thing this morning
by removing dead ducks to prevent further spread of the disease. They were able to rescue one sick duck and Parks transported the duck to an avian veterinarian for care.
Wastewater and Parks staff will continue to monitor the recharge ponds and Town lakes for any sign of sick birds. Your message to staff likely helped save other birds,
had the condition gone unchecked. Please feel free to contact me directly at (480) 797-2019 or the Park Ranger on duty at (480) 503-6263 if you observe wildlife
in distress at Gilbert facilities. Thank you again.

Jennie

Jennie Rambo
Naturalist
Gilbert Parks and Recreation