What happened to Phoenix
Doug and Sheila Carrick, the Hornby Eagle Group, and friends were shocked and saddened by the sudden collapse and death of our beloved Phoenix on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, at 76 days of age.
Two days before, Phoenix was exercising, perching on the nest rim, and flying to the cam box and back with no apparent problem. She was eating and her breathing appeared normal on the close up (CU) cam. She had some sneezing, but also had a small down feather stuck near her nares. The sneezing diminished when she was on the cam box.
The next day was dusty and she was sneezing again. It was very difficult to determine if there was a problem or not. Ajl and Doug conducted an experiment to try and find out. Doug put some salmon out for the parent eagles. They took a fish head to the nest. Phoenix refused to eat and the rescue plan was started.
The day was warm and Phoenix started having difficulty breathing and stumbled a bit in the nest. She died that evening before rescuers could arrive.
Her body was retrieved by a tree climber. A necropsy and other tests are being done to see if a cause can be found.
We will post the results here when we get them.
Title: Re: What Happened To Phoenix
Post by: AJL on July 17, 2010, 02:57:03 PM
This morning we received the preliminary findings from the necropsy performed on Phoenix.
Phoenix was a female. She died from acute bilateral mycotic pneumonia.
Other tests results will become available over the next week, and will confirm the causative agent.
Because Phoenix's death was caused by an infectious disease, sadly, she cannot be returned to Hornby Island for interment.
We owe a debt of gratitude to Maj Birch (Mountainaire Avian Rescue), Dr. Schwantje (wildlife veterinarian, British Columbia Ministry of Environment) and Dr. Bowes (avian pathologist for the British Columbia Animal Health Laboratory) for their dedication and determination to learn as much from Phoenix as they could.
A.J.L., on behalf of Doug Carrick and the Hornby Eagle Group.
Necropsy Report British Columbia Animal Health Laboratory:
The eaglet’s general body condition was good, with adequate muscle mass and fat stores and good bone strength. Hydration was mildly reduced. She is confirmed to be female. A small number of fish bones were present in the stomach. Fungal plaques were visible on the cranial thoracic air sacs and numerous firm miliary nodules were present throughout both lungs.
Histopathology: No lesions were present in the brain, heart, liver, kidney or intestines. There were large numbers of granulomas containing fungal hyphae centred on airways.
Parasitology: Negative for intestinal parasites.
Toxicology: Pesticides, heavy metals negative.
Bacteriology: Lung and syrinx cultures were positive for a heavy growth of Aspergillus fumigatus. No other infections were noted.
Cause of death: Acute Aspergillosis.
Aspergillus fumigatus is one of many ubiquitous fungal species that live in damp soil and decaying organic matter. These fungi are often associated with agricultural crops and other human activities (e.g. composting) that make nutrients readily available to them.
High relative humidity and warm temperatures promote growth and germination; spores are released into the atmosphere and can be inhaled by birds and other animals (incuding humans).
Aspergillosis is a respiratory infection caused by Aspergillus fungi; Aspergillus fumigatus is the species most commonly responsible for infections in wild birds. It can infect free-ranging individuals such as those feeding at heavily contaminated areas (e.g., geese, ducks feeding on contaminated post-harvest grains in fields) or captive birds (e.g. poultry, penguins, parrots and others) living in enclosures where food and/or bedding have become contaminated. Also susceptible are compromised individuals (e.g. oiled birds whose immune systems are stressed) and young birds whose immune systems are not fully developed.
The infection is not transmissible from bird to bird; individuals become infected upon exposure to spores. It can present as a chronic disease, or as an acute and quickly fatal disease. Phoenix’s infection was the acute form.
In acute aspergillosis, birds are usually in good condition and have good-to moderate fat deposits; the disease is often characterized by sudden death of a previously healthy bird.
Acute aspergillosis has been responsible for large-scale mortalities in free-ranging birds of several orders.
Environmental factors can contribute. For example, one autumn outbreak in Steller’s jays in British Columbia was associated with a warm, dry summer. Dust conditions are thought to reduce mucous and other secretions that normally coat the lining of the throat and air passages, interfering with respiratory clearance mechanisms.
Treatment of the non-acute form in the clinical setting involves intensive antifungal therapy and support; prognosis is not good. The acute form is quickly fatal.
A: It is impossible to know without physical examination. According to Doug Carrick and other observers both adults are active, feeding and appear to be well. If the adult birds had been exposed to the fungus at the same time as Phoenix then they should have developed respiratory signs by now since chronic Apsergillosis is almost always progressive disease.
Q: Will her feathers be distributed for ceremonial use and if so why, if this is an infectious disease?
A: In general eagle carcasses that are determined to be free of infectious disease are distributed to First Nations by CWS following the necropsy. In this case it is laboratory policy to incinerate all animal tissues from cases of infectious disease.
Q: If she is to be cremated, could the remains be returned to Doug for internment?
A: No. (V. Bowes)
The diagnosis of aspergillosis in birds.