WWT's concern at critically endangered Laysan teal deaths in Hawaii
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is saddened to hear news of the recent deaths of some 136 Laysan Teal from avian botulism at Midway Atoll in Hawaii.
Laysan Teal are a critically endangered IUCN Red List species with total population of less than 1,000, 60 per cent of which are based at Laysan Island, some 225 km off the Hawaiian Islands.
Back in 2005, WWT scientists were part of a specialist conservation team which moved 22 of the ducks from Laysan Island to created wetlands at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in attempt to establish a sizeable population there. This had been very successful and some 400 of the species are now based there.
The first Laysan Teal was found dead at Midway last month and the death toll has been steadily rising over recent weeks. However, since the diagnosis was confirmed, the catchment basin has been drained and freshwater introduced to the wetlands in other nesting areas in an attempt to dilute the botulism. According to experts, this outbreak will not affect the 600 ducks based at Laysan Island.
Dr. Debbie Pain, Head of Conservation at the WWT, said: "This is terrible news for what is one of the most endangered species of duck in the world. Having helped establish the population at Midway in 2005, we really hope that the introduction of freshwater to the wetlands stops the toxin from spreading further. It is key that we do not lose any more of these wonderful birds."
