Lengthy epidemic blamed for loon deaths

TORONTO, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Top biologists in Canada have linked the recent deaths of hundreds of loons to a devastating 8-year-long epidemic.

Leading biologists have said the spate of deaths among the loon population in the Great Lakes region likely is due to the epidemic that began in 1999 and has claimed the lives of 75,000 birds to date, The National Post reported Saturday.

Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Center diagnostician Kate Welch, who performed necropsies on the deceased loons, said the ongoing bird deaths appear to be spreading across the Great Lakes region.

"Rather than sporadic outbreaks, which have occurred for years and years, now it is becoming much more generalized over the Great Lakes. ... It's becoming more widespread," Welch said.

Experts said the loons died from Type E botulism, which can be spread by zebra or quagga mussels and multiply on the bottom of lakes.

The newspaper said the bacteria is then eaten by fish known as round gobies, which ultimately become food for loons.