Dozens of mysterious chicken deaths on Oahu prompt inquiry

NUUANU, Hawaii (KHON2) — It’s a disturbing sight for residents near Nuuanu as dozens of chickens were found either dead or dying in their neighborhood.

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A Pauoa resident who did not want to be identified said he first noticed the 15 chicken carcasses on Tuesday near Booth District Park.

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“I found about 15 more dead ones off the Ewa side of the park,” he revealed. “And then now, I’m up to a total of 63 dead chickens. As of today, I got three more dying.”

The Hawaiian Humane Society confirmed an investigation was launched and they also looped in the Department of Agriculture. Residents said it’s painful to see.

“I rescued 20 babies like yesterday because all the moms are dead,” said another resident.

The humane society said the Department of Agriculture is investigating the deaths as possible cases of botulism, an avian disease that induces progressive paralysis.

“It starts with the legs. First, they get weak legs and then they can’t use the legs at all. And then it starts to progress, so they can’t hold their head up anymore. And then it affects their breathing and then their breathing gets more labored and then they pass away,” Dr. Brian Walsh, Feather & Fur Animal Hospital Medical Director explained.

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Regardless of how the animals died, the other issues is their carcasses being found around the neighborhood – whether it is in the street where people are walking their dogs or just in the park where children are at play.

“So now then, everybody has to watch what their dogs are sniffing or even whatever they’re doing,” Pauoa resident Claudia Virtudes said, “Kids are picking up the chickens, catching the chickens.”

Dr. Walsh said thankfully, botulism is mainly a risk to humans through contaminated food. Cooking and eating dead chickens that are found on the street is still not a good idea, however.

“Do not do that and do not let your dog eat it either, it’s not only can your dog get sick from botulism potentially, but there can be other bacteria that can make it sick as well,” Dr. Walsh said.

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The HDOA investigates mass deaths in free-ranging chickens on Oahu and said botulism reports typically peak in August, September and October.

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