Management of avian botulism and survival of molting mallards

Abstract

Avian botulism outbreaks are perpetuated by proliferation of toxin producing Clostridium botulinum in bird carcasses and consumption of maggots containing toxin by healthy birds. Removal and disposal of bird carcasses has been advocated for management of outbreaks but this technique is expensive and its effect on reducing waterfowl mortality under field conditions is unknown. Therefore, I radio-marked 335 molting (new primaries