Costa Rica probes deaths of 500 pelicans

Costa Rica probes deaths of 500 pelicans

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica — Authorities in Costa Rica said Tuesday they are investigating the mysterious deaths of about 500 brown pelicans along the country's Pacific coast over the last five days but do not suspect bird flu was the cause.

The first dead birds were spotted by a fisherman on Thursday on San Lucas Island, about 10 miles from the coastal city of Punta Arenas. More turned up in the following days at nearby islands and rivers.

"This is a situation that is enormously worrisome," Costa Rican Environment Minister Roberto Dobles said. "But it is hard to know what happened, and so it is better not to speculate."

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Health Minister Maria Luisa Avila said while agriculture and animal health officials are in charge of the investigation, hospitals have been checked for possible cases of diseases like West Nile virus that could infect both birds and humans.

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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4551469.html


Just another place in the world with massive death of birds...

i just sent him a copy of this!!

thanks...fly

Lots of sun and shiny days. :)