Botulism likely cause of deaths at The Lough

A STRAIN of botulism, caused by bacteria emitting lethal toxins, seems the most likely explanation for the large number of deaths of swans, ducks and fish at The Lough in Cork.

Cork City Council’s chief veterinary officer, Diarmuid Dooge, said both fowl and fish would be affected by Clostridium botulinum, a form of bacteria released from spores on the silt bed of the lake.

More than 30 previously healthy swans and ducks and five carp are suspected to have been killed by the toxic bacteria attaching to vegetation that is eaten by both the birds and fish at the picturesque wildlife sanctuary.