Hundreds Of Birds Wash Ashore

MELBOURNE, Fla.-More than 200 dead or sick greater shearwaters, a gull-like bird, have been found on Florida's east-coast beaches-from Hobe Sound in Martin County to South Ponte Vedra Beach in St. Johns County-since Saturday, according to state wildlife officials.Local wildlife rehabilitators also reported receiving numerous emaciated and dehydrated birds, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists are examining the dead birds to investigate the cause of the die-off.Initial necropsy results are not definitive, but preliminary findings indicated that many of the shearwaters died from starvation during the migration process, wildlife officials said. Additional test results are pending. Shearwaters live over the water except during breeding season and storms at sea may be causing them to fly inland, causing severe exhaustion as well, officials told Local 6 News."These birds should be way out to sea. They should not be on the beach at all. If they are on the beach, they are too weak to care for themselves, and they need help," Sue Small of Florida Animal Hospital said."As only one species appears to be affected, and the sick and dead birds have similar symptoms, we believe the seabirds are suffering from the same ailment," said Dan Wolf, research biologist. "In 2005, a similar, but less severe shearwater die-off occurred."
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