Dead ducks were fished out of a pond in Promenada Park. They were probably killed by botulism. The bacteria thrive in water contaminated with food remains and high temperatures. The Greenery Board recommends that dogs do not swim or drink from this reservoir.
On Saturday, dead mallard ducks were spotted in a pond in Promenada Park. “After receiving disturbing signals, since Monday we have been taking action to prevent waterfowl and other animals from being exposed to the bacteria,” the Greenery Board said in a statement.
As he assured, the dead birds were removed. Some of them were taken to the National Veterinary Institute for examination. Signs were hung around the pond warning dog owners against bathing and drinking water from the pond.
Warning signs in Promenada ParkWarsaw Greenery Board
Suspected of botulism
The Greenery Board reported that, judging by the symptoms, the most likely cause of the birds' death is poisoning with anaerobic bacteria. Clostridium (botulism). “It develops in tanks with a large amount of all kinds of debris (organic matter, bread, etc.) and, in combination with high temperature, leads to a decrease in the concentration of dissolved oxygen,” it was explained.
Botulinum toxin poisoning occurs mainly in birds and cattle. The Greenery Board assures that this type of poisoning is rarely recorded in other animal species, including dogs. “However, we ask that dogs not be allowed into the reservoir,” he added.
The Greenery Board reported that no dead or depressed birds had been observed in the park since Monday. “After the heatwave ends and the temperature drops, the water in the reservoir improves on its own,” it emphasized.
Artificial reservoir
The Promenada Pond is an artificial reservoir that is periodically filled with water. Maintenance work on the reservoir bowl is carried out twice a year. Water flows into the reservoir throughout the year. It is aerated by a fountain. “The reservoir is maintained in its natural form due to the animals that live here – birds and amphibians,” explained the Greenery Board.
He assured that every effort is being made to ensure that water reservoirs in the areas managed by the Greenery Board are maintained to ensure the safety of wild inhabitants and visitors to the park.
“We appeal not to feed the birds with bread, which decomposes in the reservoir and harms the birds, and also not to throw garbage into the pond,” it added.
“Dead birds and water in all Warsaw ponds should be tested at the request of the city”
Ecologists also commented on the matter.
“We ask the Warsaw Greenery Board and the @Environmental Protection Office for information on what actions the institutions responsible for the state of the natural environment in the city have taken so far and what they intend to do next. Full, specific information on this subject should be made public – residents want to know that the authorities are doing something (currently I receive calls, emails and messages on Messenger every day with questions about what is happening and requests for help). We believe that dead birds and water in all Warsaw ponds should be tested at the request of the city – in large numbers and with the widest possible spectrum (also for various toxins) – in order to find the causes of their death and develop a strategy to stop this process and prevent similar situations in the future” – was written on the Bird Patrol profile of the Noga w Łapę Foundation.
Main image source: Warsaw Greenery Board