Mysterious bald eagle deaths under scrutiny in Utah
Source: Reuters
Mysterious bald eagle deaths under scrutiny in Utah
BY LAURA ZUCKERMAN
Tue Dec 17, 2013 5:50pm EST
(Reuters) - A number of unexplained bald eagle deaths in Utah when hundreds of the government-protected birds have migrated to wintering grounds in the central Rocky Mountains has wildlife officials worried.
The officials said on Tuesday at least four bald eagles have died and another is close to death. Wildlife specialists said the deaths began December 1 and point to either an outbreak of disease or exposure to some unknown toxin among the raptors in Utah.
The ailing eagles, which have been reported everywhere from front yards to river banks, have died within days of being grounded by such symptoms as leg paralysis and tremors.
"We have no idea what this is or isn't, so we can't rule anything out at this point. But we're taking it very seriously," Leslie McFarlane, Utah wildlife disease coordinator.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/17/us-usa-eagles-utah-idUSBRE9BG1DP20131217