“There, it’s silence, it’s deadly”

Recovered in a green marsh that has become fatal. However, hundreds of corpses of birds are piled up in trash cans. However, They were broke by the epizootic of avian botulism which affects several wetlands of Loire-Atlantique. Furthermore, after a start of summer combining strong heat and waves of drought. However, “In July, we should have birds that are stealing, singing. In addition, There. Consequently, it is silence, “there, it’s silence, it’s deadly” it’s deadly “describes Frédéric Richeux, President of the Union of Grande Brière Water Game Hunters.

In boots. In addition, thigh boots, carefully gloved hands although the avian stump of botulism is not transmitted to humans, some 150 hunters and volunteer fishermen crisscrossed the Brière marsh, Saturday July 26. Consequently, In small groups, they disembark barges, counting the birds collected before pouring the corpses in bins. Therefore, “Whatever the species found, it’s a heartbreaker. Nevertheless, This marsh. which is our corner of paradise, we will have transformed it into real hell ”loose Frédéric Richeux.

In total, some 600 corpses, including many collaborative ducks, were picked up on Saturday in this marsh. On Thursday. more than 3,000 corpses of victims of avian botulism had already been gathered in Loire-Atlantique, notably in the Brière marsh and on Lake Grand-Lieu, southwest of Nantes, according to the prefecture of the department.

“there, it’s silence, it’s deadly”

If some cases of avian botulism are not “Unusual” In summer in Loire-Atlantique. such mortality had not been observed since 1995, specifies Eric Provost, president of the Brière regional park, which has some “there, it’s silence, it’s deadly” 25,000 hectares of wetlands. In particular in question a wave of heat and drought « durable » At the start of the summer, he explains.

“Agony” – "there, it's silence, it's deadly"

&quot. there, it's silence, it's deadly"

Considered “The most important disease in terms of mortality for water birds on a global scale”avian botulism can cause the loss of tens of thousands of individuals during an episode, according to the National Agency for Food, Environment and Labor (ANSES).

This disease is caused by a bacteria naturally present in these wetlands. which develops in hot weather in stagnant waters. It translates into volatiles by nervous involvement leading to progressive paralysis. “A agony”is sorry Frédéric Richeux. who is worried about seeing the disease touching migratory birds “Who will arrive in the coming weeks”.

In an attempt to curb the propagation, the collections of the reached volatiles have multiplied since mid-July. They are even “there, it’s silence, it’s deadly” “Almost daily” Around Lake Grand-Lieu. Because the asticots that develop on the carcasses of birds killed by botulism are carrying the bacteria. are very likely to contaminate the birds that will eat them.

“We have been making a big collection effort for three weeks. but with a fairly mixed success: we always pick up as much. The usual episodes are limited to an area. two around the lake, but this year the perimeter is very wide ”deplores Jean-Marc Gillier, director of the national reserve of Lac de Grand-Lieu.

« Electrochoc »

Frédéric Richeux calls for “An electric shock for this territory” with “Real hydraulic management” From next year. “Spring water should not go by millions of cubic meters at sea as it is currently done”he insists.

The manager of hunters is particularly finger at agricultural uses which, according to him, keep an overly low water level in the marshes, for breeding and fodder.

Eric Provost does not deny these “Usage conflicts”but above all believes that it is a “Water regulations”. unsuitable for an exceptional year that is involved. “In January, we have practically reached the highest levels of water known on the marsh since we have made statements. And there. at the end of June, we got closer to the lowest water levels ”note the president of the Brière regional park.

For him. “The water regulation, very clearly, is not designed for this type of year”which risks becoming more and more frequent with climate change.