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http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080902/NEWS03/80902065

    A rash of sudden deer deaths along the Clinton River in Oakland County has state and local wildlife officials wondering if they are looking at a new killer. Most reports of the 25 dead animals have come from the Bloomer Park area in Rochester Hills, but also at Katke Cousins Golf Course at Oakland University, River Bend Park and as far east as Utica, said Tom Cooley, wildlife biologist at the Department of Natural Resources in Lansing and Tim Payne, wildlife biologist at the DNR’s Southfield field station. They are chasing several leads as of Tuesday morning, said Cooley. Payne said that people have reported deer drinking out of the river and private waters, and “literally watched them die.” At this time, the Oakland County Health Division is not testing the Clinton River or private water supplies, said Health Division officials. As of right now, said Cooley, the DNR is ruling out chronic wasting disease, an infectious illness similar to mad cow disease. Last week, wildlife officials confirmed a Kent County deer on a private ranch with chronic wasting disease. They have also ruled out other zoonotic, or cross-species, illnesses, such as bovine tuberculosis, episodic hemorrhagic disease, eastern equine encephalitis and bovine viral diarrhea. The Oakland County culprit looks to be bacterial and possibly lung specific, but testing is still underway, he said. Cooley does not believe humans are at risk of contracting the deer illness. Payne said parks and waterways are safe, but to “expect right now until this thing runs its course, things are going to be smelly.” The DNR is asking for help from the public. The heat has sped up decomposition of the animals, making necropsy and testing difficult. They are asking that people immediately report any dead animals. “In this type of heat, deer that died Sunday would not be fresh enough for today,” said Payne. Cooley is hoping to have test results back by week’s end from Michigan State University. Testing includes toxicology screens for pesticides and other poisons, viral tests for illnesses that affect deer and other domestic animals, and illnesses like West Nile virus, which infect humans as well as other animals. They also look at tissue samples for abnormalities.

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