Detector Dogs Help Sniff Out Avian Botulism at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Last week was all hands on deck at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers and staff pulled on hip-waders, and gloves and are working together to stop a suspected avian botulism outbreak that began shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday. Avian botulism is caused by a toxin produced by naturally-occurring bacteria that affects waterfowl. It is not transferable to humans.
“Time really is of the essence," said Bethany Chagnon, Refuge Biologist at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge. “We’ve been lucky to have so many community members and staff who have been willing to come out and help.”
Conservation Dogs of Hawaii and volunteers doing a survey for infected birds. Photo credit: Holly Richards/USFWS
While awaiting the results that will confirm the presence of avian botulism, staff and volunteers are conducting daily surveys of the refuge's ponds and waterways. They are looking for any dead waterfowl that could have been infected.
“One of the most effective ways to stop the spread of the toxin is to remove dead animals from the environment,” said Joy Browning, a biologist with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “We don’t want to jinx it, but we are really optimistic that the fast response by a lot of dedicated people is going to be effective in stopping this outbreak.”
Staff at the refuge were also assisted by Conservation Dogs of Hawaii, an environmental nonprofit that uses trained dogs to detect invasive species and assist with conservation projects across the Hawaiian islands. The dogs were out searching the ponds and ditches and getting into areas that are not easily accessible to humans.
The dogs also part of an ongoing study at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge on the island of Kauai. In partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, that project is testing the effectiveness of using dogs to survey for avian botulism.
“Our primary concern is stopping the cycle of disease outbreak and maintaining water quality conditions that support a safe habitat for these special birds,” said Chagnon. “We will continue to monitor the birds and Refuge for any signs of avian botulism until we are confident the outbreak is over.”
Avian botulism outbreaks are common in wetland areas and rapid response can usually limit any impact to waterfowl. This is especially important at places like James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge which is home to four species of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds, Nēnē (Hawaiian goose), migratory waterfowl, and four species of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds: Ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), ‘Alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), ‘Alae ‘ula (Hawaiian gallinule), and Koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck).
‘Alae ‘ula (Hawaiian gallinule). Photo credit: Dan Clark/USFWS
What is Avian Botulism?
Avian botulism is a food poisoning, not an infectious disease, caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum (Type C). The disease can rapidly spread as birds ingest invertebrates and other food that bio-accumulates the toxin. The bacteria is naturally occuring in the soil and can produce a deadly toxin in warm, stagnant, and nutrient-rich conditions. Invertebrates, a favored food of the birds, ingest the toxin which then becomes concentrated in their bodies. Undetected carcasses that are not removed from the environment contribute to the spread of the toxin to otherwise healthy birds. In addition to implementing timely water management techniques, such as managing water levels by increasing the amount of water flowing into a pond or drying out the pond completely improving water circulation, and cooling water temperature, researchers think using trained detector dogs will allow rescuers to respond more quickly and effectively to avian botulism outbreaks; therefore, saving more bird lives.
“The Hawaiian Islands provide climatic conditions that are conducive to year-round botulism outbreaks, so ongoing management combined with innovative techniques like using detector dogs is key minimizing the effects of outbreaks on waterfowl,” said Browning.
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge is one of the few freshwater wetlands that remain on O‘ahu. The Refuge was established in 1976 for the purpose of providing habitat for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds. In 2005 the Refuge was expanded to provide additional habitat for endangered waterbirds, migratory shorebirds, waterfowl, seabirds, endangered and native plant species, endangered ‘īlioholo-i-ka-uaua (Hawaiian monk seal), and threatened honu (Hawaiian green turtle).
If you would like to visit the Refuge, there are free guided tours at 4 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays, from October 11 to February 17. In addition, you can join us on the first Saturday of every month for service projects around the Refuge. Help the wildlife and plants that rely on the Refuge and see rarely visited areas on the North Shore by joining us for weed pulling, planting natives and other projects from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For questions or additional information about guided tours or Service Saturdays, please contact Refuge staff at (808) 637-6330.
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