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| Approx Location Of Sambhar Lake |
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Earlier this week we looked at reports of a large migratory bird die off at Sambhar Salt lake in the western state of Rajasthan, and while avian flu was considered unlikely by local officials, at the time no cause had been detected.
Today, local media are reporting that a team of researchers from the Rajasthan University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences have tentatively identified Botulism as the most likely cause of this unusual mortality event. Additional tests for heavy metals and other toxins are still pending.Clostridium botulinum is a naturally occurring anaerobic bacterium
commonly found in the soil. As the USGS explains, outbreaks in migratory waterfowl are not unusual.
Botulism type C is concentrated in aquatic invertebrates that filter feed sediments or water. When birds eat the invertebrates, they get a concentrated package of toxin. A bird-to-bird cycle can also exist where maggots feeding on dead birds can concentrate the toxin and can then be eaten by and poison other birds.A couple of links to English language reports on today's findings include:
Preliminary Report Says Thousands Of Birds Died Due To Botulism Near Jaipur
Rajasthan: Toxin responsible for death of birds around Sambhar Lake, says expert
