Henderson Lake, file photo. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Officials investigating deceased birds in Lethbridge

Dec 12, 2022 | 2:39 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is asking the public to be careful after a number of waterfowl have been found deceased recently.

The city says they have mainly been reported around Henderson Lake and the River Valley.

Officials believe there could be a variety of reasons for this.

The recent cold snap, which was followed by a warmer period, has left some birds frozen to the city’s lakes and the Oldman River.

“While the City makes efforts to remove deceased animals where possible, due to the instability of the lake ice, it is unsafe for staff to remove the waterfowl at this time,” reads a media release from the City of Lethbridge.

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The city adds that much of the waterfowl population should have migrated south for the winter by now, but many are staying here.

A media release from the city states that avian influenza continues to impact birds across the country. As of December 9, 2022, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed just over 1.4 million cases of the virus in Alberta this year.

The public is being reminded to not feed wild birds as it provides them with a lack of substantive nutrition, can delay migration, and lead to overcrowding of waterfowl habitats.

The Lethbridge College School of Environmental Science is working to determine the causes of death for the affected waterfowl.

Phone 310-0000 to report a deceased bird to provincial officials in Alberta.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now