Environment and Climate Change Canada officials are investigating reports of dead and dying seabirds showing up in a number of locations along the northeast coast of Newfoundland and parts of Labrador.
Department officials says while the exact number of affected birds is not confirmed, reports from tens to hundreds at various locations.
Reports of dead or dying turres and dovekies have been received from Southern Labrador including Mary’s Harbour and some unconfirmed reports from Black Tickle.
More birds have been reported in the area of White Bay including Seal Cove and Hampton and along the northeast coast from Fogo Island, Twillingate, Dead Mans Bay and Cape Freels.
The Department said it will take several more weeks to conduct the necessary test to determine the what’s killing the seabirds. Samples are being sent to outside agency labs to narrow down the potential cause of deaths.
In the meantime, the department is advising dead, injured or sick seabirds should not be touched and should be immediately reported to the Wildlife Emergency number at 685-7273.