Following extensive investigations, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has concluded that the mortality of a significant number of waterfowl along the Bighorn River in February resulted from starvation.
In February, FWP personnel collected carcasses of mallards, geese, and shorebirds from the Afterbay area to approximately three miles downstream of the Bighorn Fishing Access Site. The collected specimens were subsequently transported to FWP’s Wildlife Health Lab in Bozeman for testing for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). All samples tested negative for HPAI.
After these negative results, the waterfowl carcasses were forwarded to the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) in Wisconsin for further analysis and evaluation. The investigation revealed no evidence of infectious diseases. Emaciation and starvation were the only consistent conditions identified in all sampled carcasses.
FWP’s mid-winter waterfowl surveys for the Bighorn River, conducted in early January, indicated an elevation in waterfowl populations, which likely Intensified competition for the scarce food resources in the region. Furthermore, early 2025 ushered in extreme cold temperatures and significant snowfall, further hindering the birds’ ability to locate adequate nourishment.
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
