LUCERNE, Calif. – State officials are investigating the cause of a waterfowl die-off on Clear Lake.
Last week it was reported that there was a large number of dead ducks – which appeared to be ruddy ducks – at Lucerne’s south end.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesman Kyle Orr told Lake County News that the agency is aware of the die-off and is involved with the inquiry into the cause.
“Samples have been collected and testing is under way at this point to confirm the cause of mortality,” he said.
“Based on the symptoms and conditions, it is suspected that avian cholera is the cause of the mortality,” Orr added.
Orr said some species – ducks, geese, swans and coots – are more susceptible to avian cholera than others.
Humans are not considered at risk, he said.
Two significant waterfowl die-offs occurred on Clear Lake in 2004 near Lakeport and 2007 on the Northshore, both attributed to avian cholera, as Lake County News has reported.
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Officials investigate waterfowl die-off
- Elizabeth Larson
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