There have been so many mass fish and bird die-offs this winter (or at least such an increase in their media attention) that two people have written me rather creepy emails forecasting the end of the world. Well, add another die-off to the list and, unfortunately, rather than just pesky blackbirds and grackles, it involves more than 8,000 dead mallards. At this point, it appears the ducks, which were found 16 miles northwest of Pierre, S.D., may have fed on moldy corn silage and developed fungal infections. From Ammo Land: The mallards most likely developed the fungal respiratory infections after being exposed to moldy corn; however, lab findings did not definitively determine the source of fungi that infected the mallards. Moldy corn was found in a silage pile at a feedlot located near the site where most of the dead mallards were found and in the digestive tract of several mallards examined. Observations also indicate that mallards are drawn to the feedlot when snow cover keeps them from foraging elsewhere. Really unfortunate deal. I'll keep you posted on any developments.
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