Dozens of dead seagulls and other birds have been spotted this week around manufacturing buildings on Milwaukee's north side, turning a stretch of busy streets into a makeshift wildlife crime scene and putting state officials on alert.
Residents and workers shared photos of carcasses scattered along West Hope Avenue and sections of Capitol Drive near North 31st Street, and the images quickly stirred concern among neighbors and employees who frequent the area.
As reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' wildlife health staff received the first report on Monday. Crews collected several carcasses and sent them for necropsy. The agency told the paper it has no preliminary findings and warned that lab results could take a couple of weeks.
Where the birds turned up
Photos and social media posts showed dead birds on West Hope Avenue near North 31st Street and along Capitol Drive between North 31st and North 35th Streets. The affected area includes the Century City business park and nearby industrial buildings.
Witnesses reported seeing large flocks of seagulls gathered on parking lots and rooftops in the vicinity before carcasses started showing up on the ground.
What officials say
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is urging the public not to handle sick or dead wild birds and to report groups of wildlife deaths using its Sick or Dead Wildlife reporting form or the Wildlife Switchboard, according to the Wisconsin DNR.
The agency also advises keeping pets and livestock away from carcasses. Staff will review reports and decide which specimens should be collected and sent to the lab for testing.
Possible causes and context
Sudden bird die-offs can result from several factors, including toxins, extreme heat and infectious diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza. Necropsies are needed to pinpoint what is behind any particular event.
State-level tracking and public health reporting have documented ongoing avian influenza monitoring in Wisconsin this year, as WMTV has noted.
If you encounter sick or dead birds, officials say you should avoid touching them, keep pets away, and report the location and number of animals to the DNR through its Sick or Dead Wildlife reporting form. If a carcass must be moved, use gloves or an inverted plastic bag and wash your hands afterward. DNR staff will determine which samples need laboratory testing and are asking the public for patience while those tests are completed.
