CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS ADVISE PUBLIC OF RECENT

WATERBIRD DEATHS ON RHODE ISLAND COAST

 

PROVIDENCE, RI – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) are advising the public of recent waterbirds (gulls, cormorants, shearwaters, terns, seabirds, shorebirds) found dead along the Rhode Island coast. A relatively small number of seabirds and other waterbirds washing up dead on beaches is normal this time of year, but in the past several weeks multiple locations along the Atlantic Coast, including Rhode Island, have seen higher than usual numbers.

 

Due to the recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), wildlife officials are cautioning the public to remain vigilant and avoid any dead birds found washed up on the shoreline. While risk of HPAI to humans is low, the public is urged not to touch dead birds and to keep dogs on leashes and away from carcasses.

 

The cause of these recent dead waterbirds in Rhode Island is not yet known. However, waterbirds in other areas have tested positive in recent months for HPAI. Past seabird and other waterbird mortality events have been attributed to lack of resources, including lack of fish for foraging. In Rhode Island, Block Island has experienced many recent mortalities.

A picture containing outdoor, bird

Description automatically generated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo caption: One of 15 dead shearwaters that was found on Second Beach, Middletown, June 16. Michele Gold photo.

 

State, federal, and non-government conservation organizations are collaborating to test a sample of specimens and are continually monitoring beaches. RIDEM, USFWS, and partners will keep the public updated as more information becomes available after specimens are tested.

 

What the public can do:

HPAI continues to be a risk, primarily for domestic poultry. People with poultry/backyard flocks should disinfect shoes/boots before visiting beaches, parks, and refuges. For more information on HPAI including FAQs, click here. If a dead bird is found, you can report the siting to the Rhode Island Division of Fish & Wildlife by clicking here.

 

The lawyer for Ghislaine [[ GHEE-lane ]] Maxwell says she told the Justice Department about "100 different people" linked to her former accomplice Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking to reporters outside Maxwell's Florida prison, David Markus added "This was the first opportunity she's ever been given to answer questions about what happened." Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche talked to Maxwell over two days, and has not released any info from the interviews.        Extreme heat is impacting millions across the country. The most intense heat moved to the Northeast today as the region is seeing heat index values rise to the upper 90s. New York City, Washington, DC and Boston are all seeing high temperatures.        One person is behind bars after a shooting that left one person dead on the campus of the University of New Mexico. A shelter in place order was issued for students in the aftermath of the incident, in which one other person was shot. That person was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.        FEMA is planning to send states 608-million dollars to construct immigrant detention centers. The funding is part of the Trump administration's push to expand capacity to hold illegal immigrants. FEMA announced it's starting a "detention support grant program" that would cover the costs to build temporary facilities. The agency says the funds will be distributed by FEMA in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.        Former New York Republican Congressman George Santos has begun his seven-year prison sentence. The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed Friday afternoon that Santos is in custody, after turning himself in, at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey. He pleaded guilty to federal wire theft and identity fraud and was also ordered to repay more than 370-thousand-dollars to his victims.        The Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in New York on Sunday. Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Dick Allen, Dave Parker and Billy Wagner will all be inducted into the Hall. Suzuki, Sabathia and Wagner were elected by the writers, while Allen and Parker were elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee.