Ocean Pines officials address concerns regarding deceased wildfowl

OCEAN PINES, Md. – Maryland State officials say they have collected several deceased wildfowl in the Ocean Pines area.

The deceased birds were found near South Gate Pond on Tuesday and Wednesday, including eight domestic geese, four Canada gees, one cormorant, two common mergansers, one gull, one grackle, and two black vultures.

The wildlife are scheduled to be tested for avian influenza. The Department of Natural Resources is emphasizing that the bird flu is endemic in wild bird populations.

Anyone encountering sick or dead birds in the wild should not handle them or moving them and instead report the findings to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at 1-877-463-6497.