[title]
If you’ve walked along the Grand Union Canal in recent weeks, you might have witnessed some worrying sights. A number of swans and other birds have been found dead in the waters, the London stretch of which runs through the north west of the capital, causing concern among environmentalists.
Now, government specialists have confirmed the cause behind this spate of avian deaths, which have hit geese and other wild birds like ducks and coots, in addition to swans.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has investigated the wave, conducting post-mortems on dead birds pulled from the canal. The results showed that the birds were in good condition before they died – but had not eaten well in the lead-up to their deaths, suggesting they had suffered poisoning.
The agency says botulism is to blame for the deaths, with specialist tests returning a positive result for it. Ingesting bacteria causes avian botulism and can paralyse birds’ wings, legs and muscles, leading them to drown or suffer respiratory failure.
‘The bacteria grow in environments without oxygen and thrive on the protein from putrefying plant and animal material, and is often found in urban lakes, canals, and reservoirs,’ APHA said in a statement to The Standard.
Sadly, there could still be more deaths in London’s population of feathery friends to come. ‘Outbreaks of avian botulism usually involve waterbirds, can last several weeks, and can result in hundreds of deaths,’ APHA continued. ‘Outbreaks can recur as once in the environment; the toxin is relatively stable and persistent.’
The rising number of deceased birds found in the Grand Union Canal had sparked concerns around bird flu, which has now been ruled out. Most avian botulism in the UK does not affect humans, but the agency has warned that people and their pets should still take care in areas where dead birds are found “as other health hazards may be present in these environments”.
While your instinct might be to help if you find a dead or sick bird on your travels around the city, it is advised that you don’t touch or pick them up. Instead, members of the public should call the DEFRA helpline immediately on 03459 33 55 77.
Here’s why parakeets are disappearing from London.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.