Avian cholera returns after decades, kills thousands of Nevada birds

Jeff DeLong, RGJ4:21 p.m. PST February 2, 2015

Thousands of birds have died at Walker Lake from a disease experts say hasn't made an appearance in Nevada in decades.

An estimated 3,000 birds — most of them American coots and ducks — have died in an outbreak of avian cholera since early December in an event that still is unfolding. As many as 10 percent of Walker Lake's ducks may have died.

"It is still an ongoing outbreak," said Peregrine Wolff, veterinarian for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

The event marks the first time for an outbreak of avian cholera in Nevada since the 1980s, Wolff said.

The highly infectious and quick-killing disease is unrelated to the avian flu that has spread among waterfowl in neighboring states and which experts said last Friday was found in a duck in Nevada's Lincoln County late in January. Avian cholera poses no threat to people or dogs.

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Nalsarovar’s fishy bird trade exposed

Himanshu Kaushik, TNN Apr 9, 2013, 04.16AM IST

AHMEDABAD: Their long journey from Afghanistan to Ahmedabad went horribly wrong months after they touched down at Nalsarovar. Instead of a safe haven at a picturesque bird sanctuary, about 60 coots fell prey to bird poachers, who trapped the visitors and broke wings to prevent them from flying away.

The forest department arrested two men, Kadar Khamasa and Vali Mohammad from Ramgarh village in Ahmedabad on Monday in connection with illegal trade of the birds. The two had kept the birds alive to fetch a better price from hoteliers who sell exotic meat varieties to their clients. The bird's meat is also used in feasts during weddings and other festivities in nearby villages.

The two accused used to buy birds at Rs 60 per a piece from local villagers and sell them for around Rs 200. Khamasa and Mohammad, both residents of Surendranagar, had packed the birds in small boxes and are believed to have regular clientele.

The arrests have brought to light rampant poaching at Nalsarovar, the only Ramsar site in Gujarat. Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention. Preliminary investigations have revealed that Khamasa's father too was involved in poaching. Deputy conservator of forests, Sasi Kumar said, "We kept a watch following specific inputs. Both were in possession of the 60 birds when they were arrested. On examining the birds we found that they were alive but their wings and legs were broken."

Senior officials say this was one of the biggest catches for the department which has so far only managed to seize nets.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-09/ahmedabad/38402704_1_nalsarovar-birds-ramsar-convention