Officials in Portland, Maine, are perplexed after three dozen sea gulls have been found dead at a 55-acre public park in the city in less than a month's time.
Wildlife biologist Judy Camuso tells the Portland Press Herald that bird die-offs like this are not uncommon, but it is generally unusual to see in an urban area like Portland.
Three of the juvenile herring gulls have been sent for testing to the National Wildlife Disease Lab in Wisconsin. The results are expected within the next week to 10 days.
Camuso says initial necropsies have ruled out the possibility that the sea gulls were poisoned.
No additional die-offs have been reported in Portland outside of Deering Oaks park. Another occurred earlier this month in Boston's Dorchester section.
