Requests for Assistance
Dear colleagues,
I am an eco-immunologist collaborating with the Global Flyway Network on a manuscript detailing two mortality events involving shorebirds. These events took place during northward migration in Brazil. I have been trying to put these events into the context of other die-offs by reviewing mortality events involving shorebirds from 1975 to present (worldwide). I am having trouble finding a central repository of information on this topic. I would appreciate it if people could share their “on the ground” experience by responding to a few questions so that I may gain information about unreported die-offs and gauge the problem of under reporting of shorebird mortality events.
1. Have you observed a die-off involving shorebirds? If so, approximately how many birds were affected?
2. Do you submit sick or dead birds for necropsy to determine the cause of death?
3. Do you report die-off events involving shorebirds? If so, where (i.e. database, journal)?
4. Do you feel that die-offs are under reported? If so, how can this situation be improved? (I.e. a worldwide searchable database, a journal allowing descriptive reports of die-offs)
5. If you have witnessed a shorebird die-off since 1975 and you wish to share it with me, please send me the following information:
• Date the die-off occurred
• Location of the die-off
• Number of birds affected (indicate if this is an estimate)
• The source for this information (a reference if the information has been published or otherwise a name to credit for a personal communication)
The following information would also be helpful:
• Species affected (common and scientific names)
• Brief description of symptoms
• Any information on the cause of mortality (confirmed cause, or rejected causes)
• Other infections detected (i.e. worms, mites) which might have increased susceptibility, but were not the cause of death
Responses can be sent to Debbie at dmb707707@yahoo.com.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Dr. Deborah M. Buehler