Journal de Montreal
More than sixty dead birds in a mysterious way were found by an owner of a rural area of Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, near Quebec.
Even though experts say Quebecois no link can be made with other recent cases in the United States and Sweden, many questions remain and the exact cause still unexplained.The United States has been the epicenter of several mass mortality events of birds in the first days of 2011.
West on the 3rd rank, not far from the road to Niagara, Sylvain Turmel wonders why all the pigeons that find refuge in its farm buildings also fall from the sky for about two weeks. Some perished on the roof, others within the team. A first report was made Dec. 18 last.
Abnormal
"I'm going nuts. I went to see my tenant to find out if he had not given poison. He came to help me pick 25, "said Turmel. Just enough time to do so, there were five others who have fallen. The authorities thought it was a gas. It is impossible. Initially, they did not want me to throw it in the garbage. They took seven in total for analysis. There's something going on. This is not normal. "
The wildlife experts have even said to Mr. Turmel not to communicate with the media. Nevertheless, he recounted the incident on CHOI. After verification, the Provincial Government officials say there is nothing alarming yet. However, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife (MNR) was somewhat less reassuring. The tests are done in animal pathology laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), Einstein on the street.
"The exact cause is unknown. It is not related to what happens in the United States. We do not see this every day. We treat the matter seriously, "said Nicolas Bégin.
Further research
"According to them, not poison, it's not bird flu or West Nile virus. We know nothing more, "said Turmel, who will not touch the animals without wearing gloves.
Disease, environmental crisis, coincidence or common natural phenomenon, the investigation continues.
Firefighters and police have also moved on site to verify potential fumes or possible crime.
Among the possible causes, fireworks, hail, and cold viruses have been particularly mentioned. In St. Augustine, at least three of these assumptions, however, seem implausible. In the middle of Ornithology, it is argued that the dissemination of images has prompted more people to report this type of event.
