Costa Rica Probes Mystery Deaths of 500 Pelicans
Pastor Dale Morgan
Feb 13, 7:43 PM EST
*
Costa Rica Probes Mystery Deaths of 500 Pelicans*
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) -- Authorities in Costa Rica said Tuesday they
are investigating the mysterious deaths of about 500 brown pelicans
along the country's Pacific coast over the last five days but do not
suspect bird flu was the cause.
The first dead birds were spotted by a fisherman on Thursday on San
Lucas Island, about 10 miles from the coastal city of Punta Arenas. More
turned up in the following days at nearby islands and rivers.
"This is a situation that is enormously worrisome," Costa Rican
Environment Minister Roberto Dobles said. "But it is hard to know what
happened, and so it is better not to speculate."
Investigators were collecting tissue samples from the dead birds, but
tests to determine the cause of death may take several days, said
National Animal Health Service spokesman Flor Aguero.
Coast Guard marine biologist Carmen Castro said investigators do not
think the deaths were caused by bird flu, which is primarily spread by
migration.
Brown pelicans are not migratory birds, and form stable, permanent
colonies. They are not considered an endangered or protected species in
Costa Rica.
Health Minister Maria Luisa Avila said while agriculture and animal
health officials are in charge of the investigation, hospitals have been
checked for possible cases of diseases like West Nile virus that could
infect both birds and humans.
Mosquitoes can spread that disease by biting infected birds and then
biting humans. Avila said no such cases have been found so far.