No one knows why the crows are dying in a Charlottetown park, scientists called in
It was during the holiday break that something awful started happening to the crows that frequent Victoria Park in downtown Charlottetown.
Since then, local residents have found more than 200 dead or desperately ill birds. Scientists at the nearby Atlantic Veterinary College haven't been able to figure out what is going on.
"It was pretty gruesome," Maryrose Carson, who lives two blocks from the waterfront park, said Tuesday as she recalled finding dozens of dead birds on Jan. 1. "We had no idea what had caused it."
The college has ruled out avian flu or a bacterial infection, and there has been speculation that a so-called reovirus is to blame -- a theory that is being subjected to laboratory testing, Carson said.
There's also concern that whatever is killing the birds could spread to other wildlife or domesticated animals, which is why the college is pressing for answers before the end of the week. A spokeswoman for the college declined to comment until the results are in.
A flock of 25,000 birds roosts in the park every night in the fall and winter, prompting an annual outpouring of complaints about the constant squawking and defecating.
When the birds swarm over the area at this time of year, the cacophony can be deafening as the sky turns black with beating wings, like a scene from a horror movie.
As a result, Carson said she's worried the coal-coloured birds are being poisoned.
"I do understand the frustration," she said. "If you walk in the Brighton Road area -- especially when they are roosting -- I don't think there is a clean spot on the sidewalk."
Though poison is a theory, Carson was quick to note that it appears no other animals in the area have been affected.
She said it's heartbreaking to see the sickly birds in the park.
"They're very lethargic. If they do try to get away from you, they try to hop," she said. "They might fly a couple of feet in the air, but then they're down on the ground and very docile. Even when you're holding them, they're not really fighting."
Local residents are being warned not to handle any dead birds or approach any that appear ill. The City of Charlottetown is responsible for disposing of the dead birds, while the college is taking in ill animals for treatment.
Two years ago, bird lovers in the city were outraged when somebody shot three crows with a pellet gun during a five-week span. The shootings prompted a "rally for caws," with about 15 people marching to demand the birds be left alone.
At one point, the city's website recognized that residents had developed a "love-hate relationship" with their avian neighbours, which have been calling the park home for more than 100 years.
In 2006, the city decided complaints about the noise and the droppings had reached a point where action had to be taken.
"They're filthy, dirty, rotten things," one resident said at the time. "You get up in the morning and the sidewalks are white. The cars are white. I don't sit in the backyard anymore." After calling for proposals, the city spent $15,000 on noisemakers to scare the birds away.
It didn't work.
Since then, the city has decided to live with the birds, but the complaints keep coming.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.