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.
The Recent Mortality Events Map visualizes the data on this page in an interactive map. Watch for trends and filter events based on type and location.
For additional information on mortalities
- Western U.S.: Barb Bodenstein, 608-270-2447, bbodenstein@usgs.gov
- Central U.S.: Dr. LeAnn White, 608-270-2491, clwhite@usgs.gov
- Eastern U.S.: Dr. Anne Ballmann, 608-270-2445, aballmann@usgs.gov
- Hawaii, Pacific Islands: Dr. Thierry Work, 808-792-9520, thierry_work@usgs.gov
- Nationwide, single animal cases only: Jennifer Bradsby, 608-270-2443, jbradsby@usgs.gov
More information on reporting an event can be found at the event reporting page.
Date last updated : Jan 09, 2012
Mortality Begin Date |
End Date |
State |
County |
Species |
Diagnosis |
Estimated Mortality to Date |
Reported By |
12/31/2011 | ongoing | WA | SKAGIT | Trumpeter Swan | Open | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
12/22/2011 | ongoing | CA | MERCED | American Coot | Avian cholera | ~ 25 | CA Animal Health/Food Safety L |
12/14/2011 | ongoing | LA | AVOYELLES | Lesser Snow Goose | Aflatoxicosis suspect | < 75 | USGS NWHC |
12/12/2011 | ongoing | CA | KINGS | Northern Shoveler | Open | ~ 10 | CA Animal Health/Food Safety L |
12/12/2011 | 12/13/2011 | UT | IRON | Eared Grebe | Trauma | ~ 3000 | USGS NWHC |
12/08/2011 | ongoing | MT | YELLOWSTONE | Mallard | Aspergillosis | < 100 | USGS NWHC |
12/04/2011 | ongoing | HI | HONOLULU | Muscovy Duck | Open | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
12/04/2011 | 12/05/2011 | OK | KAY | European Starling | Trauma suspect | ~ 75 | USGS NWHC |
12/02/2011 | ongoing | IL | WILL | Northern Leopard Frog | Open | ~ 150 | USGS NWHC |
11/23/2011 | 11/25/2011 | KS | BARTON | Lesser Snow Goose, Ross' Goose, Canada Goose | Avian cholera suspect, Aspergillosis suspect | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
11/21/2011 | 11/22/2011 | TX | CARSON | Unidentified Sandhill Crane, Canada Goose | Mycotoxicosis suspect | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
11/15/2011 | 12/02/2011 | AZ | LA PAZ | Lesser Snow Goose, Ross' Goose | Open | < 100 | USGS NWHC |
11/08/2011 | ongoing | TX | CALHOUN | Greater White-fronted Goose, Greater Snow Goose, Unidentified Sandhill Crane | Aflatoxicosis suspect | ~ 200 | USGS NWHC |
11/03/2011 | 11/04/2011 | MO | PIKE | Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, European Starling | Trauma suspect | ~ 100 | USGS NWHC |
11/01/2011 | ongoing | PA | SUSQUEHANNA | Rock Dove | Viral Infection: Avian Paramyxovirus 1 suspect | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
10/31/2011 | ongoing | WI | CRAWFORD | American Coot | Parasitism suspect | ~ 500 | USGS NWHC |
10/31/2011 | ongoing | CA | SANTA CRUZ | American Coot, Ruddy Duck | Open: blue algae toxicosis suspect | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
10/28/2011 | ongoing | CA | VENTURA | Western Grebe, California Sea Lion, Brandt's Cormorant, Common Murre, Northern Fulmar | Emaciation | ~ 350 | USGS NWHC |
10/27/2011 | ongoing | CA | SAN DIEGO | Eared Grebe, Western Grebe, American Coot, American Wigeon, Gadwall | Botulism suspect, Toxicosis: blue-green algae suspect | ~ 100 | USGS NWHC, CA Animal Health/Food Safety L |
10/26/2011 | 10/28/2011 | MT | VALLEY | Rock Dove | Open | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
10/17/2011 | 10/24/2011 | CA | SUTTER | American Coot, Greater White-fronted Goose, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail | Trauma: powerline suspect, Undetermined | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
10/13/2011 | ongoing | MA | BARNSTABLE | Common Eider | Viral Infection suspect, Emaciation | ~ 300 | SCWDS, USGS NWHC |
10/12/2011 | 10/20/2011 | AK | KODIAK ISLAND | Black-legged Kittiwake, Glaucous Gull, Northwestern Crow | Trauma: gunshot suspect | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
10/06/2011 | ongoing | MN | HOUSTON | Ring-necked Duck, American Coot | Parasitism: Cyathocotyle bushiensis, Parasitism: Sphaeridiotrema sp. | < 500 | USGS NWHC |
10/05/2011 | ongoing | WI | LA CROSSE | American Coot | Parasitism suspect | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
10/02/2011 | 11/18/2011 | MN | ITASCA | Lesser Scaup | Parasitism: Cyathocotyle bushiensis, Parasitism: Sphaeridiotrema sp. | ~ 300 | USGS NWHC |
10/01/2011 | 11/15/2011 | MT | DEER LODGE | American Coot | Parasitism suspect | ~ 1000 | USGS NWHC |
09/28/2011 | 10/01/2011 | OR | LANE | Northern Shoveler, Mallard | Botulism type C | ~ 200 | USGS NWHC |
09/26/2011 | 10/03/2011 | CA | STANISLAUS | Mallard, American White Pelican, Long-billed Dowitcher | Botulism suspect | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
09/21/2011 | ongoing | SD | BRULE | Unidentified Waterfowl, Unidentified Shorebird, Great Blue Heron | Botulism type C | ~ 50 | USGS NWHC |
09/21/2011 | 09/30/2011 | FL | ORANGE | Muscovy Duck | Undetermined, Botulism suspect | < 75 | FL Fish & Wildlife Cons Comm, USGS NWHC |
09/20/2011 | 10/20/2011 | AK | DILLINGHAM | Glaucous-winged Gull | Emaciation | < 75 | USGS NWHC |
09/16/2011 | ongoing | CA | ALAMEDA | Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, Mallard | Open: botulism suspect | ~ 1100 | USGS NWHC |
09/13/2011 | ongoing | SD | AURORA | Northern Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, American Coot, Unidentified Waterfowl | Botulism type C | < 250 | USGS NWHC |
09/12/2011 | 09/13/2011 | MS | HARRISON | Mississippi Gopher Frog | Open | ~ 2400 | USGS NWHC |
09/11/2011 | 09/19/2011 | WI | MILWAUKEE | Double-crested Cormorant | Newcastle Disease Virus | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
09/09/2011 | 09/13/2011 | OR | MULTNOMAH | Bullfrog | Viral Infection: Ranavirus suspect | ~ 100 | OR State Diagnostic Lab, USGS NWHC |
09/08/2011 | 09/22/2011 | WI | WINNEBAGO | Canada Goose, Unidentified Duck, Mallard, Double-crested Cormorant | Botulism type C | ~ 50 | USGS NWHC, WI Dept of Natural Resources |
09/05/2011 | 10/13/2011 | CA | ORANGE | Mallard | Botulism suspect | < 50 | - unknown - |
09/04/2011 | 09/16/2011 | WI | BROWN | Double-crested Cormorant, Common Loon | Newcastle Disease Virus, Emaciation | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
09/01/2011 | 10/03/2011 | ME | ANDROSCOGGIN | Herring Gull | Aspergillosis, Emaciation | ~ 25 | USGS NWHC |
09/01/2011 | 09/22/2011 | AZ | YAVAPAI | Pallid Bat | Trauma | ~ 50 | USGS NWHC |
09/01/2011 | 10/31/2011 | NH / MA / ME | ROCKINGHAM / ESSEX / YORK | Harbor Seal | Pneumonia, Viral Infection suspect | < 200 | NOAA, - other -, USGS NWHC, Univ Of Connecticut Wildlife Lab, Sea World of San Diego |
08/29/2011 | 11/01/2011 | NV | CHURCHILL | Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, White-faced Ibis | Botulism type C | < 3000 | USGS NWHC |
08/26/2011 | 09/14/2011 | UT | SALT LAKE | Mallard | Botulism suspect | ~ 50 | USGS NWHC, UT Div of Wildlife Resources |
08/25/2011 | 09/19/2011 | NV | CLARK | Mallard | Botulism type C | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
08/25/2011 | 10/21/2011 | MN | CLAY | Mallard, Canada Goose | Botulism type C | < 350 | USGS NWHC |
08/25/2011 | ongoing | SD | WALWORTH | Redhead Duck, Gadwall, Blue-winged Teal, Mallard, American Coot | Botulism type C | < 1050 | USGS NWHC |
08/22/2011 | 10/31/2011 | ONT | MUSKOKA, SIMCOE, PARRY SOUND | White-winged Scoter, Long-Tailed (AKA Oldsquaw) Duck, Canada Goose, Unidentified Cormorant, Unidentified Gull | Botulism type E | ~ 6000 | Canadian Coop Wildlife Health |
08/18/2011 | 09/21/2011 | MD | TALBOT | Great Black-backed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant | Viral Infection: West Nile | ~ 10 | USGS NWHC |
08/15/2011 | ongoing | IL | COOK | Canada Goose | Botulism type C | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
08/15/2011 | ongoing | MN | DAKOTA | Green Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, American Toad | Viral Infection: Ranavirus suspect | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
08/15/2011 | 09/15/2011 | ND | KIDDER | Blue-winged Teal, American Coot, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead | Botulism type C, Salmonellosis | ~ 250 | USGS NWHC |
08/13/2011 | 08/27/2011 | MD | FREDERICK | Green Frog | Open | ~ 250 | USGS NWHC |
08/10/2011 | 08/16/2011 | WI | DOOR | Double-crested Cormorant | Botulism type E, Salmonellosis | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
08/09/2011 | ongoing | MN | CROW WING | Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant | Open | < 100 | USGS NWHC |
08/08/2011 | 08/08/2011 | AK | VALDEZ - CORDOVA | Black-legged Kittiwake, Unidentified Avian, Glaucous Gull | Open | < 200 | USGS NWHC |
08/08/2011 | 08/18/2011 | WI | DOOR | American White Pelican, Mallard, Herring Gull | Botulism type E | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
08/04/2011 | 09/09/2011 | CA | GLENN | Mallard | Botulism type C | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
08/01/2011 | 08/03/2011 | ID | VALLEY | Little Brown Bat, Western Pipistrel Bat | Undetermined | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
08/01/2011 | 08/31/2011 | CO | ARAPAHOE | Unidentified Duck | Botulism type C | < 100 | - unknown - |
07/30/2011 | 10/21/2011 | WA | KING | American Crow | Emaciation | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
07/29/2011 | 08/22/2011 | MI | MACOMB | Mallard | Botulism type C | < 50 | MI Dept of Natural Resources |
07/25/2011 | ongoing | AK | NORTH SLOPE | Ringed Seal, Pacific Walrus | Open | < 75 | NOAA, WA State Disease Lab, AK Dept of Fish & Game |
07/23/2011 | 07/25/2011 | OH | FRANKLIN | House Finch, House Sparrow | Undetermined | ~ 600 | USGS NWHC |
07/21/2011 | 09/01/2011 | SD | WALWORTH | Franklin's Gull, American Coot, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler | Botulism type C | ~ 100 | USGS NWHC |
07/19/2011 | 08/12/2011 | OH | FRANKLIN | Mallard, Unidentified Fish | Botulism type C | ~ 25 | USGS NWHC |
07/19/2011 | 07/25/2011 | OH | DELAWARE | Mallard | Botulism suspect | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
07/15/2011 | 09/01/2011 | CA | IMPERIAL | California Brown Pelican | Botulism type C | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
07/15/2011 | 11/07/2011 | NY | MONROE | Ring-billed Gull, Common Loon | Botulism type E, Botulism suspect | < 50 | Cornell University |
07/10/2011 | 11/21/2011 | MI | LEELANAU, BENZIE | Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Loon, Herring Gull, Unidentified Gull | Botulism type E | < 300 | USGS NWHC |
07/07/2011 | 10/13/2011 | WI / MI | DOOR / MENOMINEE | Canada Goose | Emaciation, Undetermined, Botulism type C | < 75 | MI Dept of Natural Resources, USGS NWHC |
07/06/2011 | 07/19/2011 | IA | POLK | Big Brown Bat | Predation | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
07/05/2011 | 09/22/2011 | ND | STUTSMAN | Unidentified Gull, California Gull, Ring-billed Gull, American White Pelican | Salmonellosis, Bacterial infection, Viral Infection: West Nile | ~ 200 | USGS NWHC |
07/05/2011 | 08/25/2011 | AK | SITKA | Leach's Storm Petrel, Fork-tailed Storm Petrel | Predation | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
07/05/2011 | 07/10/2011 | ND | GRAND FORKS | Unidentified Duck, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Mallard, Unidentified Waterfowl | Botulism type C | < 75 | USGS NWHC |
07/05/2011 | 07/28/2011 | CA | CONTRA COSTA | Mallard, Canada Goose | Undetermined, Botulism suspect | ~ 50 | USGS NWHC |
07/05/2011 | 08/01/2011 | CA | MADERA | Unidentified Shorebird, Black-necked Stilt, Mallard | Botulism type C | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
07/04/2011 | ongoing | WY | PARK | Tiger Salamander | Viral Infection: Ranavirus suspect | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
07/02/2011 | ongoing | CO | DENVER | Unidentified Duck | Botulism suspect | < 25 | - other - |
07/02/2011 | 07/02/2011 | OH | FRANKLIN | Canada Goose, Mallard | Toxicosis: carbofuran suspect, Clostridium perfringens | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
07/01/2011 | 08/25/2011 | ID | BEAR LAKE | Western Small-footed Bat | Starvation | ~ 50 | ID Wildlife Health Lab |
06/29/2011 | 08/07/2011 | AZ | MARICOPA | Mallard | Botulism type C | < 25 | USGS NWHC |
06/27/2011 | 11/22/2011 | NY | JEFFERSON | Common Loon, Long-Tailed (AKA Oldsquaw) Duck, Ring-billed Gull, White-winged Scoter, Red-necked Grebe | Botulism suspect | < 150 | Cornell University |
06/20/2011 | 07/02/2011 | AK | KENAI PENINSULA | Bald Eagle | Aspergillosis | < 5 | USGS NWHC |
06/20/2011 | 07/06/2011 | OH | PAULDING | Little Brown Bat | Undetermined, Emaciation | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
06/19/2011 | 07/19/2011 | AZ | COCHISE | Eurasian Collared Dove | Pulmonary hemorrhage, Viral Infection: pigeon paramyxovirus 1 | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
06/10/2011 | 12/09/2011 | WI | DOOR | Unidentified Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Unidentified Duck | Botulism type E | < 150 | USGS NWHC |
06/02/2011 | 11/11/2011 | MI | SCHOOLCRAFT | Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Loon, Northern Flicker, Herring Gull | Botulism suspect | < 50 | - no diagnostics pursued - |
06/01/2011 | 07/20/2011 | IA | BREMER | Little Brown Bat, Northern Long-eared Bat | Undetermined | < 50 | USGS NWHC |
05/15/2011 | 08/15/2011 | CA | IMPERIAL | Double-crested Cormorant | Viral Infection: Avian Paramyxovirus 1, Viral Infection: Avian Paramyxovirus 1 suspect | < 100 | USGS NWHC |
05/03/2011 | 10/17/2011 | MD | MONTGOMERY | Eastern Box Turtle | Viral Infection: Ranavirus | < 10 | USGS NWHC |
02/15/2011 | ongoing | MT | MUSSELSHELL | Mule Deer | Parasitism: Nematodiasis | unknown | MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks |
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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