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Hawaii Wildlife Center President Assists Feds With Laysan Ducks on Midway
Avian Botulism Outbreak Threatens Rare Bird Species

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North Hawaii News, September 25, 2008

Avian botulism was recently confirmed as the cause of death of at least 145 Laysan Ducks recently on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. 

The National Wildlife Health Center found the toxin in samples sent to its facility in Madison, Wisconsin for analysis.  With this diagnosis, managers began immediate steps to control the outbreak. Those steps included contacting Linda Elliott, president of the Hawaii Wildlife Center in Kapa`au, North Kohala, for assistance.

At the request of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Elliott flew immediately to Midway Atoll where Laysan Ducks had been introduced in 2004 and 2005 in order establish a second viable population of this very rare duck species. The principal fear had been that disease or a major storm event at Laysan Island could wipe out the last of the species, so establishing the Midway population was a hedge against extinction. The transplanted population was growing well until the botulism event that started the fist week of August.

When scientists from the National Wildlife Health Center diagnosed the cause of the die-off as avian botulism, steps were initiated immediately to manage the wetland habitat at Midway to minimize the disease threat. Refuge staff requested help from Elliott who provided expertise, training and support for the rehab of sick birds, 27 of which recovered and were released back in to the wild.
 
Avian botulism is a different type than botulism occurring in humans and is not transmissible to people. There is no risk of Midway’s recent bout of avian botulism affecting the Laysan Island population which remains healthy.

Work continues to control the Midway botulism outbreak with assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Wildlife Health Center and the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center in addition to Elliott and the Hawaii Wildlife Center’s support. Staff and volunteers on Midway continue their work with USGS staff to ensure the continued survival of the Laysan Duck population.

When the Hawaii Wildlife Center becomes fully operational, training of agency staff and volunteers to respond to this type of event will be among the Center’s highest priorities. The facility will also be equipped to provide state-of-the-art care on site.

The endangered Laysan duck is considered the rarest native waterfowl in the United States and occurs only within the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands’ Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Laysan ducks were once widespread across the Hawaiian Islands, but by 1860, they were extirpated from all but Laysan Island, part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

The Hawaii Wildlife Center, to be built in North Kohala, is dedicated to the care and conservation of Hawaii's threatened wildlife through hands-on treatment, research, training, and cultural & educational programs. Fundraising efforts are underway for the 501c (3) non-profit corporation. Continued and ongoing support is needed. For more information or to make a donation, contact Linda Elliott, HWC president, at (808) 889-5180 or by email.

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