Mycotoxin-induced disease in captive whooping cranes (Grus americana) and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis)

Glenn H. Olsen; J. W. Carpenter; G.F. Gee; N. J. Thomas; F. J. Dein

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USGS · 5223113

Mycotoxin-induced disease in captive whooping cranes (Grus americana) and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis)

Glenn H. Olsen·J. W. Carpenter·G.F. Gee·N. J. Thomas·F. J. Dein

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Abstract

In 1987, an epizootic in cranes at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, USA, caused illness in 80% of 300 captive whooping cranes (Grus americana) and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) and death of 15 of these cranes. Gross pathology findings were inconclusive and consisted of dehydration, atrophy of fat, renal insufficiency, and small spleens. Extensive testing resulted in isolation of Fusarium sp. mold from constituents of the grain-based diet. Low levels of two mycotoxins, T2 (1-2 ppm) and deoxynivalenol (0.4 ppm), were isolated from the pelleted feed.

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Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 39.006779213995024° to 39.09742839412634° latitude; -76.83528900146484° to -76.71976089477539° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Glenn H. Olsen, J. W. Carpenter, G.F. Gee, N. J. Thomas, F. J. Dein. 1995. Mycotoxin-induced disease in captive whooping cranes (Grus americana) and sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis). https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/5223113

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