Witchita: 100 Cranes dead - "Toxic Peanuts"

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Posted on Sun, Mar. 19, 2006

Experts suspect peanuts caused sandhill crane kill

The Wichita Eagle

Biologists say a field of moldy Texas peanuts led to the death of about 100 sandhill cranes at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

Dave Hilley, refuge manager, said his staff noticed indications something was wrong on March 9.

Several cranes appeared weak and off-balance. An abundance of predators was another indication.

"We had a lot of eagles about that time, and we noticed five different groups of eagles feeding on carcasses on the Big Salt Marsh," Hilley said. "We got out our air boat and ATVs and searched where the cranes had been staying."

They found about 40 carcasses, and evidence where about another 60 sandhills had been scavenged by eagles and coyotes.

The condition of the live birds clued biologists they may have been suffering from some kind of paralysis from poisoning.

Hilley's first concern was that the birds had ingested something toxic at Quivira, which could pose a threat to other birds yet to migrate through central Kansas.

Not so.

A check showed many of the birds had peanuts in their digestive systems. Buffalo Lake, in Texas, a popular stopover for migrating sandhills, is in a peanut farming area.

"With the south winds we've been having, it's quite possible they could have easily made it up here from Texas in one day," Hilley said. "It would take a while for the toxins from the peanuts to effect the cranes."

Samples from some of the dead Quivira cranes were sent to a federal lab in Wisconsin, to verify the toxic substance. Hilley expects the results soon.

Texas biologists were notified of the problem.

"Usually with something like this, they just try to get rid of the peanuts," Hilley said. "They can plow them under and that usually cures the problem. Unfortunately, by the time they do that the birds are sick or dying."

Hilley said it's possible endangered whooping cranes could also die from eating the same toxic peanuts.

Fortunately none have been recently seen in the Buffalo Lake area. If some migrated in, Hilley said Texas biologists would probably spook them from the area around the suspected peanut field.

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/sports/14133703.htm

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Witchita: 100 Cranes dead - "Toxic Peanuts" Posted: March 31 2006 at 2:21am
	Posted on Sun, Mar. 19, 2006 Experts suspect peanuts caused sandhill crane kill The Wichita Eagle Biologists say a field of moldy Texas peanuts led to the death of about 100 sandhill cranes at the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Dave Hilley, refuge manager, said his staff noticed indications something was wrong on March 9. Several cranes appeared weak and off-balance. An abundance of predators was another indication. "We had a lot of eagles about that time, and we noticed five different groups of eagles feeding on carcasses on the Big Salt Marsh," Hilley said. "We got out our air boat and ATVs and searched where the cranes had been staying." They found about 40 carcasses, and evidence where about another 60 sandhills had been scavenged by eagles and coyotes. The condition of the live birds clued biologists they may have been suffering from some kind of paralysis from poisoning. Hilley's first concern was that the birds had ingested something toxic at Quivira, which could pose a threat to other birds yet to migrate through central Kansas. Not so. A check showed many of the birds had peanuts in their digestive systems. Buffalo Lake, in Texas, a popular stopover for migrating sandhills, is in a peanut farming area. "With the south winds we've been having, it's quite possible they could have easily made it up here from Texas in one day," Hilley said. "It would take a while for the toxins from the peanuts to effect the cranes." Samples from some of the dead Quivira cranes were sent to a federal lab in Wisconsin, to verify the toxic substance. Hilley expects the results soon. Texas biologists were notified of the problem. "Usually with something like this, they just try to get rid of the peanuts," Hilley said. "They can plow them under and that usually cures the problem. Unfortunately, by the time they do that the birds are sick or dying." Hilley said it's possible endangered whooping cranes could also die from eating the same toxic peanuts. Fortunately none have been recently seen in the Buffalo Lake area. If some migrated in, Hilley said Texas biologists would probably spook them from the area around the suspected peanut field. http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/sports/14133703.htm