New and Ongoing Wildlife Mortality Events Nationwide
USGS and a network of partners across the country work on documenting wildlife mortality events in order to provide timely and accurate information on locations, species and causes of death. This information is used by natural resource managers, researchers, public health officials and legislators to help design disease prevention and mitigation strategies, to address interconnections between human, domestic animal and wildlife disease, and to assist in identification of 'normal' disease issues vs. biosecurity concerns.
These data are not all-inclusive. Information on some outbreaks may not be received until months or years after the event, but efforts continue to make the information as complete as possible. For information on previous wildlife mortality events and events that used to be on this page, please see the Quarterly Mortality Reports.
For additional information on mortalities
- In the Eastern half of the United States, please contact Dr. Anne Ballman (608-270-2445 or aballmann@usgs.gov)
- In the Western half of the United States, please contact Dr. Krysten Schuler (608-270-2447 or kschuler@usgs.gov)
More information on reporting an event can be found at the event reporting page.
Date last updated : Nov 17, 2009
| Mortality Begin Date |
End Date |
State |
County |
Species |
Diagnosis |
Estimated Mortality to Date |
Reported By |
| 11/09/2009 | ongoing | MN | WADENA | Canada Goose | Open | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
| 10/23/2009 | ongoing | WI | OUTAGAMIE | Canada Goose, Mallard | Impaction: soybean | < 150 | WI Dept of Natural Resources |
| 10/20/2009 | ongoing | MD | BALTIMORE | Green Frog, American Toad | Fungal Infection: chytrid | < 150 | San Diego County Vet Diag Lab |
| 10/19/2009 | ongoing | WA | PACIFIC | Western Grebe, Northern Fulmar, Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Common Murre | Toxicosis suspect | unknown | USGS NWHC |
| 10/18/2009 | ongoing | WA | WHATCOM | Northern Pintail, Ruddy Duck, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Mallard | Aspergillosis | ~ 300 | USGS NWHC |
| 10/17/2009 | ongoing | MT | YELLOWSTONE | Ring-billed Gull, Western Grebe | Open | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
| 10/15/2009 | 10/25/2009 | AZ | MARICOPA | Unidentified Dove | Trauma | < 50 | USGS NWHC, Univ of AZ Diagnostic Lab |
| 10/15/2009 | ongoing | VA | YORK | Mallard | Toxicosis: organophosphate or carbamate | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
| 10/15/2009 | ongoing | MT | DEER LODGE | American Coot, White-winged Scoter | Parasitism: Cyathocotyle bushiensis, Parasitism: Sphaeridiotrema globulus | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
| 10/14/2009 | 10/22/2009 | TX | COLORADO | Black-bellied Tree Duck | Open | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
| 10/09/2009 | ongoing | MN | ITASCA | Lesser Scaup, American Coot | Parasitism suspect | < 150 | USGS NWHC |
| 10/01/2009 | ongoing | WI | DOOR | Ring-billed Gull | Botulism type E | unknown | USGS NWHC |
| 09/28/2009 | ongoing | FL | PALM BEACH | Muscovy Duck | Botulism type C | < 100 | USGS NWHC |
| 09/23/2009 | 09/24/2009 | MN | CHIPPEWA | Common Yellowthroat | Trauma: weather suspect | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
| 09/22/2009 | 09/25/2009 | NE | KEYA PAHA | Blue-winged Teal, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe | Trauma | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 09/20/2009 | 10/04/2009 | MD | TALBOT | Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull | Aspergillosis | < 5 | USGS NWHC |
| 09/18/2009 | ongoing | MN | HOUSTON | Blue-winged Teal, American Coot, Lesser Scaup | Parasitism: Cyathocotyle bushiensis, Parasitism: Leyogonimus polyoon | ~ 1000 | USGS NWHC |
| 09/16/2009 | 09/16/2009 | AK | NORTH SLOPE | Walrus | Trauma | < 150 | - other - |
| 09/13/2009 | ongoing | WA | CLALLAM, GRAYS HARBOR | Alaskan Sea Otter | Open: trauma suspect, Pulmonary edema, Deformities: etiology undetermined | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 09/10/2009 | 09/10/2009 | ND | BURKE | Common Grackle | Toxicosis: organophosphorus compound | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
| 09/09/2009 | ongoing | WA | JEFFERSON | Common Murre, White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter | Open: emaciation, Toxicosis suspect | ~ 10000 | CO State University, USGS NWHC |
| 09/01/2009 | 09/15/2009 | ME | ANDROSCOGGIN | Mallard, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull | Aspergillosis | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
| 08/28/2009 | 09/02/2009 | AZ | COCHISE | Unidentified Grackle, Unidentified Dove | Trauma suspect | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 08/20/2009 | 09/18/2009 | ND | RAMSEY | Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, American Coot | Botulism type C | ~ 300 | USGS NWHC |
| 08/17/2009 | ongoing | MI | LEELANAU | Horned Grebe, Common Loon, Double-crested Cormorant | Botulism type E | unknown | MI Dept of Natural Resources |
| 08/16/2009 | 09/20/2009 | ND | TOWNER | American Coot, Redhead Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler | Botulism type C | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
| 08/10/2009 | ongoing | ND | FOSTER | Ring-billed Gull | Aspergillosis | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 08/10/2009 | ongoing | CA | ORANGE | Mallard, Common Moorhen, Blue-winged Teal, Unidentified Coot, Killdeer | Botulism suspect | < 50 | - no diagnostics done - |
| 08/07/2009 | 08/15/2009 | MT | FLATHEAD | American Crow | Viral Infection: West Nile | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
| 08/04/2009 | 08/05/2009 | ND | BURKE | Mourning Dove, Unidentified Sparrow | Toxicosis: Famphur | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
| 08/02/2009 | ongoing | CO | GARFIELD | Townsend's Big-eared Bat, Western Long-eared Bat, Western Small-footed Bat | Open: emaciation | < 25 | CO State University, USGS NWHC |
| 08/02/2009 | 08/31/2009 | MI | WAYNE | Mallard, Hybrid Duck, Pectoral Sandpiper, American Black Duck, Great Egret | Botulism type C | < 150 | MI Dept of Natural Resources |
| 08/01/2009 | ongoing | CA | SISKIYOU | Northern Pintail, American Coot, Green-winged Teal, Mallard | Botulism type C | ~ 3000 | USGS NWHC |
| 08/01/2009 | 08/30/2009 | MT | LAKE | Double-crested Cormorant | Emaciation, Parasitism: Nematodiasis | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
| 08/01/2009 | 11/12/2009 | ID | POWER, BINGHAM | Unidentified Grebe, Unidentified Duck or Goose, Unidentified Shorebird, Blue-winged Teal, Canada Goose | Botulism type C | ~ 20000 | USGS NWHC, ID Wildlife Health Lab |
| 08/01/2009 | ongoing | NJ | WARREN | House Sparrow | Salmonellosis, Trauma suspect | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
| 08/01/2009 | ongoing | OH | PERRY | House Sparrow, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Blue Jay | Open: toxicosis suspect | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/29/2009 | 10/28/2009 | UT | DAVIS, BOX ELDER | American Avocet, Mallard, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Wilson's Phalarope | Botulism type C | ~ 50000 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/28/2009 | 08/23/2009 | NV | WASHOE | Mallard, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Domestic Duck | Botulism type C | < 100 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/27/2009 | 08/03/2009 | UT | BEAVER | Brazilian Free-tailed Bat | Trauma | ~ 300 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/26/2009 | 09/15/2009 | MT | PHILLIPS | American White Pelican, Ring-billed Gull | Viral Infection: West Nile | < 250 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/25/2009 | 08/25/2009 | MN | CROW WING | Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose | Aspergillosis, Salmonellosis | ~ 2150 | University of MN |
| 07/24/2009 | 10/15/2009 | MI | LIVINGSTON, GENESEE | White-tailed Deer | Epizootic hemorrhagic disease | ~ 400 | MI Dept of Natural Resources |
| 07/23/2009 | 08/03/2009 | MT | GALLATIN | Rock Dove | Toxicosis: salt, Toxicosis: boron | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/20/2009 | ongoing | ND | MOUNTRAIL | Ring-billed Gull, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Least Tern, Piping Plover | Salmonellosis, Trauma, Viral Infection: West Nile | ~ 200 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/20/2009 | 08/05/2009 | WA | SKAMANIA | Western Toad | Fungal Infection: Saprolegnia sp., Undetermined | ~ 1000000 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/20/2009 | 08/18/2009 | WI | VILAS | Green Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, Bullfrog | Viral Infection: Ranavirus | ~ 800 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/15/2009 | ongoing | NV | HUMBOLDT | Bullfrog | Open | ~ 50 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/15/2009 | ongoing | ID | LATAH | Columbia Spotted Frog, Pacific Treefrog | Fungal Infection: Chytrid suspect, Viral Infection: Ranavirus | ~ 200 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/13/2009 | 07/21/2009 | OR | MARION | Townsend's Big-eared Bat | Rabies, Emaciation | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/12/2009 | 07/13/2009 | TN | DAVIDSON | Canada Goose, Unidentified Duck | Undetermined | < 50 | - other - |
| 07/12/2009 | 07/28/2009 | ND | BURKE | Franklin's Gull | Emaciation, Trauma, Bacterial infection suspect | ~ 300 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/12/2009 | 07/22/2009 | ND | WILLIAMS | Ring-billed Gull | Bacterial infection, Botulism type C | ~ 1000 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/12/2009 | 07/19/2009 | WA | FERRY | Unidentified Bat | Undetermined | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/11/2009 | ongoing | ID | VALLEY | Little Brown Bat | Toxicosis: carbofuran, Toxicosis: Methiocarb, Pneumonia | < 50 | ID Wildlife Health Lab, USGS NWHC |
| 07/07/2009 | 09/30/2009 | WA | PIERCE | Northwestern Salamander | Emaciation: starvation | < 150 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/07/2009 | ongoing | ME | SAGADAHOC | Common Eider, Herring Gull, Double-crested Cormorant | Emaciation, Toxicosis suspect | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/01/2009 | ongoing | OH | OTTAWA | Lake Erie Water Snake | Trauma, Septicemia | ~ 10 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/01/2009 | 10/15/2009 | PA | CENTRE | Snapping Turtle | Emaciation: starvation, Viral Infection: Ranavirus | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/01/2009 | 07/31/2009 | WA | CLALLAM | Black-tailed Deer | Open | ~ 10 | USGS NWHC |
| 07/01/2009 | ongoing | CA | HUMBOLDT | Double-crested Cormorant | Open: emaciation | ~ 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 06/29/2009 | 08/11/2009 | WI | DODGE | Mallard, American White Pelican, Ring-billed Gull | Botulism type C | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 06/27/2009 | 08/11/2009 | MT | GRANITE | Bald Eagle | Open: emaciation | < 5 | USGS NWHC |
| 06/24/2009 | 07/13/2009 | MA | BARNSTABLE | Common Tern | Predation | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 06/23/2009 | 07/09/2009 | FL | PINELLAS | Mallard | Botulism type C | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 06/22/2009 | ongoing | MI | BENZIE, MASON | Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Piping Plover, Herring Gull, Common Merganser | Botulism type E | < 200 | MI Dept of Natural Resources, USGS NWHC |
| 06/18/2009 | ongoing | CT | WINDHAM, LITCHFIELD, FAIRFIELD | Big Brown Bat | Open: emaciation, Predation | ~ 25 | USGS NWHC |
| 06/15/2009 | 07/09/2009 | MT | YELLOWSTONE | American Robin | Emaciation: parasitism, Parasitism: acanthocephaliasis | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
| 06/05/2009 | 08/31/2009 | MN | SWIFT, LAC QUI PARLE | American White Pelican, Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Unidentified Domestic Or Hybrid Goose, Unidentified Egret | Viral Infection: West Nile, Bacterial infection: Riemerella anatipestifer | < 1450 | USGS NWHC |
| 06/04/2009 | ongoing | CA | IMPERIAL | American White Pelican, California Brown Pelican, Canada Goose, Ring-billed Gull | Viral Infection: West Nile | ~ 100 | USGS NWHC |
| 06/01/2009 | ongoing | IN | HANCOCK, JASPER, MARTIN | Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat | Emaciation | < 200 | USGS NWHC |
| 06/01/2009 | ongoing | MA | BERKSHIRE | Bog Turtle | Open | < 10 | Tufts University, USGS NWHC |
| 06/01/2009 | ongoing | NJ | HUNTERDON | Little Brown Bat | Pneumonia | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
| 05/07/2009 | ongoing | NH | CARROLL, MERRIMACK, CHESHIRE | Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat | Trauma, Open | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
Explanation of fields:
Mortality begin date is the date the mortality began -- for most wildlife disease events, this is an estimate only, as carcasses may not be noticed immediately.
End date is again usually an estimate of the last day new carcasses were found.
State and country identify the area in which the mortality is occurring. NOTE: avian mortality events may cover several counties and possibly multiple states given the migratory nature of many species.
Species shown on the table include up to 5 of the species involved in the event. In some cases, group identifiers like 'waterfowl' or 'shorebirds' have been used instead of specific names when a large number of different species are involved.
Diagnosis includes a final diagnosis, if known, with no qualifiers; a suspected diagnosis once preliminary investigations have been made; or an indication that tests are still in process. NOTE: In some instances, where mortality occurred but no specimens were sent to NWHC or another diagnostic laboratory or -- in rare instances -- where tests could not definitely identify a trigger for the mortality, the cause of death may never be determined. Such events are identified with the word 'open' in the diagnosis column.
The estimated mortality provides some indication of the severity of the event. Numbers may change rapidly from one week to the next.
The 'reported by' field indicates the lab(s) or agencies who reported or are working on the mortality event.
USGS NWHC = USGS National Wildlife Health Center USDA NVSL = USDA National Veterinary Services Lab SCWDS = Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study
NOTE: If you find a dead bird, mammal, reptile or amphibian, please contact your state natural resource agency first. They will know the proper reporting procedures for your area. Contact information may be found online or in the government pages of your local telephone book.
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