PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Biologists are working to contain an outbreak of avian botulism that has killed at least 2,000 birds in North Portland wetlands .
Crews are collecting dead birds as quickly as possible from the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area to prevent maggots from spreading the disease to other birds. Most of the dead birds have been young green teals, but ducks and geese also are affected.
KATU reports (http://bit.ly/R7Xx2l ) that the disease isn't harmful to humans but could devastate migratory bird populations. Officials have lowered the lake levels in hopes of encouraging birds to stop at other water sources.
The Audubon Society is helping nurse sick birds back to health and releasing them back safer waters. Sick birds get limp necks and paralyzed legs, and they eventually die if their lungs become paralyzed.
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Information from: KATU-TV, http://www.katu.com/
