Source:
https://orda.kz/iz-600-pogibshih-v-aktau-lebedej-90-molodye-osobi-381100/
Of the 600 swans that died in Aktau, 90% were young individuals
07 January 2024 16:30
Alina Yesenalina
In Aktau, the number of mute swans killed on Lake Karakol has already exceeded 600 individuals, Orda.kz reports.
The problem of mass death of swans was discussed at a meeting in the akimat of the Mangystau region.
“To study the reasons for the mass mortality of birds on Lake Karakol, ornithologists from the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan will be sent to Aktau,” the akimat said.
According to the head of the Mangistau Regional Territorial Inspectorate of Forestry and Wildlife, Gabbas Dosatov, the first notification of the death of swans on Lake Karakol was received on December 21, 2023.
“We contacted specialists from the National Veterinary Reference Center and experts from the Institute of Microbiology and Virology. They sent specialists to take samples of swans' carcasses for the purpose of conducting an examination. At the moment, we have recorded the death of 601 individuals. More than 90% of the dead swans were young. We are expecting ornithologists from the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan to conduct additional research,” Dosatov said.
As the akimat recalled, judging by the initial analyses, the swans could have died as a result of infection with bird flu.
“Preliminary data suggests that the mass death of swans on Lake Karakol was caused by an outbreak of avian influenza, also known as avian influenza. An Asian strain of H5N1 has been discovered. This virus is less contagious for people, affecting birds more, while other animals carry it without symptoms,” said Temirbek Nurtazin, head of the Mangistau regional territorial inspection of the Veterinary Control and Supervision Committee.
As he added, last year 6 thousand poultry were vaccinated in the threatened zone. And three poultry farms refused vaccinations, citing the fact that they have a closed type of housing.
According to Nurtazin, regional veterinarians daily monitor the epizootic situation among poultry on private farms.
Akim of the Mangystau region Nurlan Nogaev said that the situation with the death of birds raises questions about the causes of this mass morbidity.
“Ecologists and competent specialists must together find the source of the problem and take measures to prevent the possible spread of the phenomenon,” instructed Nurlan Nogaev.
Lake Karakol is included in the list of protected ornithological sites in Kazakhstan and is a wintering and resting place for tens of thousands of birds. Over the course of a year, Lake Karakol is visited by more than 80 species of migratory birds, including swans and golden eagles. This wetland is home to up to 175 species of waterfowl and semi-aquatic birds in different seasons of the year, including 21 species of birds listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan.
