For Immediate UseContact: Garrison Frost
February 15, 2008(323) 951-9620

Tiburon, CA – Tests performed by researchers with the California Department of Fish and Game have identified avian cholera as the cause of death in one of the many birds found during a recent spike in bird deaths in and around the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary in Tiburon. Avian cholera is unrelated to the human form of the disease and poses no danger to humans.

While not a normal occurrence, avian cholera has been known to strike bird populations in aquatic habitats without warning. More than 200 birds of a variety of species have been found dead in the area since Jan. 26, but fewer are being found now with each new day.

Preliminary results indicate that at least one bird died from avian cholera. Two other birds were emaciated but tested negative for avian cholera. At this time the role of recent oil and sewage spills in the spike in bird deaths is unknown, but the large amount of sewage and oil in the bay could adversely affect both the available food and weaken the birds' immune systems.

“With the oil spill in November, the recent storms, and now these sewage spills around Marin, local birds have been put under a lot of stress and are probably more vulnerable,” said Brooke Langston, director of the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. “It’s important to remember that San Francisco Bay is a complex ecosystem, and that all these events are interrelated.”

Officials at the Center and Audubon California notified representatives of the California Department of Fish and Game on Feb. 8 immediately after the spike in bird deaths was first documented. Fish and Game transported several dead birds from the Center to laboratories for testing. Additional tests are being conducted.

“Because we’re out here every day doing monitoring and conservation, we were able to spot this problem early and alert Fish and Game and other agencies,” said Langston. “We’re happy to know that this is a temporary problem.”

Langston added that a herring run that began yesterday is bringing a lot of new birds into the bay. “We’re seeing thousands of birds out on the water right now,” she said. “It’s going to be a beautiful weekend and we hope to see a lot of people at the Center.”

The Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary is located on the edge of the San Francisco Bay in Tiburon. The facility provides habitat for migratory waterbirds and other wildlife, and also involves the community through education, conservation and restoration programs.

About Audubon California

Audubon California is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. With more than 50,000 members in California and an affiliated 48 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of Audubon. This relationship links Audubon California to a national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engaging millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation.

More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.