Organophosphate insecticide poisoning of Canada geese in the Texas panhandle

Journal of Field Ornithology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Sixteen hundred waterfowl, mostly Canada Geese, died near Etter, Texas, in late January 1981 from anticholinesterase poisoning. Winter wheat in the area of the die-off had been treated with organophosphate insecticides to control greenbugs. Cholinesterase (ChE) levels in brains of a sample of geese found dead were 75% below normal, enough to account for death (Ludke et al. 1975). The gastrointestinal (G I) tracts of geese found dead were packed with winter wheat; gas chromatography techniques identified parathion and methyl parathion in the GI tract contents. Residues of both chemicals were confirmed by mass spectrometry. We recommend that less toxic materials, such as malathion, be used on grain crops when waterfowl are in the vicinity of treatment.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Organophosphate insecticide poisoning of Canada geese in the Texas panhandle
Series title Journal of Field Ornithology
Volume 53
Issue 1
Year Published 1982
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 6 p.
First page 22
Last page 27
Country United States
State Texas
County Moore County
City Etter
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