​Avian Disease Prevention

Since 1982, we've helped prevent the spread of avian botulism and other avian diseases. Botulism is caused by the toxin Clostridium botulinum which occurs naturally within bacteria in anaerobic soil, and infected birds may eventually become paralyzed. However, birds rescued in the early stages of the disease respond well to treatment with a 70% recovery rate. ​

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Each year from June through November, our biologists and volunteers travel through the South Bay's Artesian and Guadalupe Sloughs by boat to search for injured, sick, or dead birds and other species such as fish. We bring the animals we recover to be treated or (in the case of dead animals) analyzed at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley. ​

Volunteers can find the Avian Disease Prevention Volunteer Manual here.