Wildlife Care Center in Hughson Helps Birds Infected with Avian Botulism from Lake Tulare

The Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center in Hughson is helping birds infected with avian botulism from Tulare Lake.

The center is caring for 47 birds, including white-faced ibis, ducks, egrets, Great blue heron, and dowitchers.

The birds are dehydrated and emaciated from not eating.

Staff members are force-feeding them twice a day and giving them fluids.

The chance of survival depends on how sick the bird is when it arrives.

The chance of survival depends on how sick the bird is when it arrives.

About a dozen birds have recovered well and are ready to be released.

The center is getting overflow from other care centers in California that are taking in birds from Tulare Lake.

The state will reimburse the center for the costs, but the Hughson center doesn’t know when those payments will come.

The outbreak of avian botulism is a serious problem for birds in California.

The Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center is doing important work to help these birds survive.

We can all help by being aware of the signs of avian botulism and reporting sick birds to the authorities.