Sick Birds in Central Minnesota

State investigating sick birds near Ironton, Minn.
Duluth News Tribune
Published Thursday, April 24, 2008

Minnesota regulators are investigating why about 20 waterfowl have become sick in and around a wastewater treatment plant near Brainerd.

Officials for the Department of Natural Resources and Pollution Control Agency said today they are trying to find out what’s wrong with loons and grebes at the Serpent Lake Sanitary District wastewater treatment ponds in Ironton.

Two grebes have died since the problem first was reported on Monday. The sick birds are unable to fly and are having difficulty swimming.

“It's too early to know what is creating the problem," said Pam Perry, DNR nongame wildlife lake specialist, in a statement.

Three loons and three grebes have been taken to an animal rehabilitation center near Garrison to be examined. Water and sludge samples of the ponds have been taken by PCA and are at the lab. Results are expected in about a week.

The agency is also evaluating companies in the nearby communities to determine if there are any industrial discharges that need to be sampled.