Press Release

Aug. 9, 2000

LA QUINTA—Investments by the Salton Sea Authority and other agencies into wildlife disease management on the Salton Sea are paying dividends in the form of early detection and care of birds that are suffering from avian botulism.

The Authority, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Health Center, California Fish and Game and many volunteers, has been conducting regular inspections of the lake’s massive bird populations.

As a result, “through this partnership, teams have been able to rescue and treat sick birds—mostly endangered brown pelicans—in the early stages of their illness,” said Dr. Milton Friend, of the U.S. Geological Survey who is lead scientist with the Salton Sea Science Office.” 

“By picking up the pelicans in the early stages of sickness, we are hoping most can be rehabilitated for eventual release back into the wild,” Friend said. “We have reduced some of the risks of future massive bird die offs.”

In the summer of 1996, the lake became a focus of national attention when more than 14,000 birds including 1,000 brown pelicans and many white pelicans died from avian botulism which occurs in the summer months.

Since then, a number of resources have been brought to the lake to deal with the problem. A “bird hospital” to treat sick birds was established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1997 at the Sonny Bono refuge.

Between June 26 and July 31, refuge workers said 468 sick pelicans have been brought into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hospital at the refuge. Of those, six were American white pelicans and the remainder brown pelicans. After being stabilized at the refuge hospital, the birds are sent to one of three recovery facilities in Southern California: the Pacific Wildlife Project in Irvine, Sea World or the Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center.

Jihadda Govan, an assistant manager of the Sonny Bono Salton Sea Wildlife Refuge, said most of the birds are still in rehabilitation. “We will not know for sure how many will be released back into the wild until this botulism outbreak is well over with,” she said. That could take until November.

Since last year, the Authority has funded a full time position to assist with monitoring and recovery of sick birds at the Salton Sea.

The wildlife technician, Tahni Johnson, began her work for the Authority in November under a three-year contract.

“This proactive approach helps keep wildlife experts ahead of the spread of the disease,” said Authority Executive Director Tom Kirk. “We are already seeing benefits from this program.”

While Johnson’s job during routine times is to monitor the lake for fish and wildlife diseases, she has been working closely with the Fish and Wildlife Service and others during the summer as they rescue the ill birds.

Her presence has allowed more frequent patrols and has increased the amount of time rescuers can spend on the Salton Sea in airboats.

“It’s a big help to them,” she said.

Johnson is one of seven persons certified to operate the airboats at the refuge.

The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, is a mecca for bird watching as it hosts about 400 species of birds over the course of a year. During the winter, literally millions of birds make the lake their home, feeding on the abundant fish and invertebrate populations there.

“The Salton Sea is California’s crown jewel of avian biodiversity,” Friend said. “The bird rescue efforts are vital to protecting this great resource.”

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