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IDNR Report
The DNR recently stocked additional rainbow trout in northern Indiana streams.
Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station had a surplus of rainbow trout, which allowed for the additional stockings. Some sites that are not normally stocked in early May received trout last week, including:
- Nasy Dam and Ontario Dam, Pigeon River in LaGrange County
- Fan River behind Fawn River State Fish Hatchery in Steuben County
- R. 16 at Riverbend Park in Middlebury, Little Elkhart River in Elkhart County
- Lakeside Park, Mill Creek in Fulton County
- Franke Park, Spy Run Creek in Allen County
- Potato Creek State Park and North Liberty Town Park, Potato Creek in St. Joseph County
- Hunt Park, Slocum Ditch in LaPorte County
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IDNR Report
Wildlife officials have confirmed the presence of a parasitic flatworm in wild swans from Wolf Lake. Diagnostic testing was conducted at the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Mute swans examined by the USGS had fatal infections of the intestinal parasite Sphaeridiotrema globulus. This parasite causes death in many species of waterfowl, including swans, diving ducks, and coots. Lead testing was also performed on the swans, and results were within the range of nontoxic background levels.
The cause of death of the Canada geese collected from the same area could not be determined, despite extensive testing. The geese tested negative for bacterial and viral infection, lead poisoning, heavy metals, salt toxicity, botulism, and toxic organic compounds. All birds tested negative for avian influenza.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement is looking for highly motivated, outdoor-centered individuals to fill Indiana Conservation Officer (ICO) positions across the state.
Anyone interested should first read “Become a Conservation Officer” at on.IN.gov/dnrlaw and complete the pre-screening test under the “Apply” link on that website. Successful completion of the pre-screening test is required to receive an application for the hiring process. To maximize the time needed for DNR Law Enforcement to complete the process, the pre-screening test needs to be submitted by midnight June 3.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR recently learned from lab results that rabbit carcasses found on private land in Elkhart County near Middlebury tested positive for tularemia.
Tularemia is a rare bacterial disease usually transmitted through dog tick and deer fly bites or by contact with an infected animal; however, the bacteria may also be spread by contact with contaminated soil or water, and through inhalation of contaminated dusts or aerosols.
While tularemia can be transmitted to humans, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is not aware of any human cases of tularemia in the area at this time.
“Seeing a local die-off of rabbits during a tularemia outbreak is not unusual,” said Dr. Jennifer Brown, state public health veterinarian at IDOH. “You can prevent exposure to tularemia bacteria by wearing insect repellent and avoiding contact with sick or dead animals.”
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IDNR Report
Lab results have confirmed the presence of parasites in wild white-tailed deer found on a private property in Newton County in late February and early March.
Newton County is in northwest Indiana on the Indiana/Illinois state line. About 40 deer were found on the property, dead, soon after heavy snow melted.
According to Moriah Boggess, deer biologist for the Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, the deer may have died days or weeks before being discovered.