Last April, Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge staff discovered the remains of an estimated 200 turtles. At the West Central Tribune, Tom Cherveny reports that the cause of the die-off will likely remain a mystery.
From Cause of Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge turtle die-off will remain a mystery:
An estimated 200 turtles died in an approximate half-mile stretch of the Minnesota River in the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge. Laboratory test results of turtle carcass samples collected in April are inconclusive, possibly because of decomposition that occurred before staff discovered the die-off.
The cause of a late April die-off of turtles in the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge will likely remain a mystery.
Laboratory tests performed on the carcasses of turtles collected by refuge staff are all inconclusive, according to Tina Shaw, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
The samples had been analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Preliminary test results showed some bacterial activity, but the results were considered inconclusive, partly because the samples were greatly decomposed. Viral testing showed no conclusive evidence either.
Scott Simmons, refuge manager, said there is hardly a day that goes by without visitors to the refuge inquiring as to the cause of the die-off.
The die-off was reported to refuge staff by members of the public on April 30. Staff collected carcasses of both painted and snapping turtles from an approximate half-mile stretch of the Minnesota River in the refuge. . . .
Read the entire article at the West Central Tribune. We're concerned because the reproductive cycle of turtles is very long, and commercial hunting or die-offs can affect an area's turtle population for many years.
Photo: A snapping turtle.
If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post. Those wishing to make a small ongoing monthly contribution should click on the paypal subscription button.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen@gmail.com as recipient.
NEW: I'm now on Venmo for those who prefer to use this service: @Sally-Sorensen-6
Comments