Audubon Society: Crow Die-off Points to ‘Poisoning’

Monday, December 01, 2014

Joanna Evoniuk, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Photo credit: iStock

Poison likely caused 40 crows to die in downtown Portland last Wednesday, according to the Audubon Society of Portland.

Reports of dead crows or crows having seizures began Wednesday morning, around Chapman, Lownsdale, and Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. Throughout the day, more reports came in from around downtown and Northeast and Southeast Portland.

Some of the deceased birds were transferred to the Veterinary Diagnostics Lab at Oregon State University,according to the Audubon Society. Testing is underway to determine the cause of death.
Tests will take a week or more to be confirmed, but the society said the circumstances indicate poisoning.

A few live birds are currently being treated at the Audubon Society of Portland’s Wildlife Care Center.

The Audubon Society said die-offs of birds can result from environmental factors, disease, poisons, and other factors.

If anyone sees a sick or dead crow in the downtown Portland area, they should contact the Audubon Society at 503-292-0304.