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Four dead birds were collected in May in the Rondevlei and Langvlei area. SANParks aquatic scientists submitted dead birds collected earlier to various laboratories for tests for the past 18 months to ascertain the causes of the death. Samples were tested for avian flu, Newcastle disease and avian botulism. All tests came back negative though clinical symptoms displayed by affected birds indicate avian botulism as the likely cause of death.

Scientists suspect natural causes could have triggered the outbreak such as low water levels coupled with warm weather.

Lead aquatic scientist Ian Russell says pH levels; the levels of salinity in the water and the presence of organic plant material are not substantially different this year than they were last year. He has also observed that birds are dying in localized areas (Rondevlei Langvlei and Eilandvlei only). No dead birds were collected in Swartvlei.

The most appropriate response thus far to break the cycle of the transmission of any possible disease is to pick up dead birds immediately thus removing them from the system in time not to spread to other birds. Rangers respond by collecting the dead birds, which are disposed of by burial, or burning.

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