The Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Complex is one of the most important stopover and breeding sites for waterfowl and waterbirds in the Pacific Flyway. However, it has suffered in recent years due to a lack of water. This spring, in partnership with Tule Lake Irrigation District, Ducks Unlimited, and Klamath Drainage District, water was delivered to Tule Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges, leading to a highly productive year at the refuges for grebe, stilt, and coot chicks, ducklings, and goslings. However, there have been no water deliveries to these refuges since early June, creating the perfect conditions for a botulism outbreak. With the higher than average temperatures and winds in July, water levels are dropping rapidly, worsening conditions every day.
Botulism is a natural toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Shallow, stagnant water provides an optimal environment for it to proliferate. The toxin attaches to nerve endings, where it causes weakness, lethargy, and the inability for birds to hold up their head or fly. Many waterfowl simply drown, and the presence of infected carcasses in turn exacerbates the outbreak.
“Birds nesting and migrating through Klamath this year will find precious little water, and the water they do find may be a death trap,” said Wicks.
Background:
The Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Complex is one of the most important stopover and breeding sites for waterfowl and waterbirds in the Pacific Flyway and historically supported millions of waterfowl and other birds. Unlike other flyways in North America, the Pacific Flyway’s population of waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited estimates a 25% decline in the waterfowl population as of 2023, and waterbirds are not stable and another botulism outbreak would not bode well for the flyway population.
Species that will be affected and vulnerable to the outbreak include: Mallards, Gadwall, Western grebe, American Coot, White-faced Ibis, and Canada Goose. Essentially any bird of any species resting and foraging may already be exposed. It’s an especially dangerous time since many juvenile waterfowl, waterbirds, and shorebirds are still on the water, putting this year’s young in jeopardy. Additionally, fall migrants who arrive at the refuge to molt and refuel are unable to fly during their molt, also making them more vulnerable.
