In the Klamath Basin of Northern California, outbreaks of avian botulism affect large numbers of aquatic birds each summer. Bird Ally X provides treatment to rescued birds, working with the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge. 2020 saw an exceptionally catastrophic outbreak. Read more about Bird Ally X’ s response effort below.
Slideshow – BAX Botulism Response 2020
Patients receive rehydrating fluids 
A hospital enclosure that reduces stress on recovering birds 
Shorebirds receiving supportive care 
Showing the symptoms of avian botulism that prevent her from lifting her head, this bird is still alive. With treatment, she can survive. 
Some of the pools at the BAX Botulism Response field hospital
The summer of 2020 brought exceptionally serious conditions for the botulism outbreak. From July to September over 3000 birds with botulism had come through the hospital and tens of thousands more deceased birds had been collected. In the summer an average of 500 birds per day, sometimes exceeding 1000, were being collected by refuge biologists. Bird Ally X staff and volunteers treated the living in the BAX Botulism Response field hospital we’d set up on the Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge.
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Avian botulism is a common occurrence in the Klamath Basin and throughout the west. The severity of these outbreaks is driven by numerous factors. The timing and availability of water are dictated by human prioritization of use which obeys competing demands. This year all of those factors converged in the worst possible configuration at the body of water known as Tule lake Sump 1A. Compounding the problem, prolonged hot conditions set the stage for Avian Botulism to spread.
The toxin affected all species of water birds, including molting Mallards, Cinnamon teals, Green-winged teals, and Gadwalls. Large numbers of shorebirds were impacted such as Western sandpipers, American avocets, Black-necked stilts, and Long-billed dowitchers. Symptoms include paralysis leading to drowning.
Despite these challenges the hospital data suggest that if rescued birds can survive the first 24 hours in rehabilitation, their chance of recovery and release back to the wild is over 80%.
2020 BAX Botulism response in the news
- Avian Botulism Response in Covid Times – by Marie Travers and January Bill. Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. 12/29/2020
- Disease is decimating California’s wild ducks and shorebirds. What’s really responsible – by Ryan Sabalow, Sacramento Bee 12/28/20
- When the water dries up, it can be deadly – by Pepper Trail, The Salt Lake Tribune 12/26/20
- A Disease Outbreak in California Has Killed an Estimated 40,000 Birds – by Alistair Bland, reporter Audubon Magazine 9/10/20
- ‘Their birds are our birds’: Refuges receive thousands in donations for botulism response – by Alex Schwartz, Herald & News 10/31/20
BAX Botulism response in previous years – from our Blog
2019 Current Avian Botulism Outbreak in Lower Klamath Basin Heats Up
2018 Avian Botulism Outbreak at the Lower Klamath Basin: BAX Responds
