Dying Bald Eagles Linked to Invasive Plants in Lakes

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Bald Eagle Photo Courtesy of USFWS - Todd Harless

DYING BALD EAGLES LINKED TO
INVASIVE PLANT FOUND IN LAKES

Next week at an Invasive Species Summit in the Adirondacks, Dr. Susan Wilde will be discussing recent research on how the invasive plant Hydrilla is connected to the death of Bald Eagles in southern US lakes. Wilde and fellow researchers have discovered a toxic strain of cyanobacteria that specifically grows on Hydrilla due to its ability to concentrate up to 1000 times the chemical bromide that can be found in some lakes.

While the specific source of bromide in lakes is unclear at this point, it can be attributed to being found naturally, associated with coal-burning power plants, pesticides, herbicides, and in atmospheric deposition (rain, snow, and other forms of precipitation).

Hydrilla Photo Courtesy of USFWS - Ryan Hagerty

Hydrilla has become well established in Cayuga Lake, which is the 4th most popular lake in which traveling boats visit Skaneateles Lake from. Cayuga Lake continues to inspect for boats leaving the lake that may have Hydrilla and other invasive species.

To date, the Skaneateles Lake Association (SLA) is not aware of any observations of the cyanobacteria Aetokthonos hydrillicola (Latin for Eagle killer that grows on Hydrilla) or any Bald Eagle deaths caused by the cyanobacteria on Cayuga Lake.

Hydrilla has not yet become established in Skaneateles Lake, but recent news regarding its potential impact on Bald Eagles and other wildlife reinforces the need to continue investment into Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention through SLA's Boat Launch steward program.

The SLA Boat Launch Steward program is mostly supported through lake association membership dollars. Please consider becoming a member and sharing this story to encourage others to help care for Skaneateles Lake.

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The "Invasive Species at our Door-Adirondack Invasive Species Summit" hosting Dr. Susan Wilde's discussion on Bald Eagle Killing Hydrilla will be on October 19th from 9 AM - 4:30 PM - More details including other speakers can be found HERE.

Event will also be live streamed on Facebook at 9:30 am on the same day at: https://www.facebook.com/adkinvasives/