<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2WLF6h_0vigJEPj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2WLF6h_0vigJEPj00" width="1320" height="743" >TULELAKE, Calif. — 80,000 birds are dead after a waterbird disease outbreak at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Siskiyou County, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW),Avian botulism is a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. They say once ingestied, the toxin can affect the birds' peripheral nervous system, causing paralysis.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2rU5j5_0vigJEPj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2rU5j5_0vigJEPj00" width="648" height="365" >In some cases, the CDFW says sick birds can recover if removed from the source of the toxin and provided with fresh water and a safe environment to recover in.Work is being done by a non-profit called Bird Ally X to save as many of the birds as possible so they can be safely returned to the wild.Anyone who wants to help care for waterbirds at the refuge can email jb@birdallyx.net.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2JySny_0vigJEPj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2JySny_0vigJEPj00" width="648" height="365" >Klamath Basin Refuges says toxic algae is also present in the wildlife refuge, which can be deadly to dogs if they swim in or drink contaminated water.Hunting is still allowed on the refuge, however, officials say it is not advised until temperatures reach freezing. Anyone who chooses to hunt should handle, clean and cook harvested birds carefully.Click here for updated information on hunting season at Tule Lake NWR.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Disease claims lives of 80,000 birds at wildlife refuge in Siskiyou County

TULELAKE, Calif. — 80,000 birds are dead after a waterbird disease outbreak at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Siskiyou County, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW),Avian botulism is a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by the bacterium...