A mystery has landed along a chain of lakes in Minnesota. Hundreds of geese were found recently to be either very ill or dead in Southern Minnesota. The mystery has gotten the attention of the DNR, according to one outdoor retailer in the area, who has been posting to social media about the geese.

Justin Sommer of Sommer Outdoors down in Fairmont posted 4 days ago on social media that geese had arrived back in town, as a portion of a local chain of lakes had opened back up, after having been iced over briefly. The post was more of a safety warning for those heading out to ice fish, but the last line about dying geese caught my eye.

As of yesterday anglers were still slowly going out however the warm-up has made the ice inconsistent in some areas. Just a reminder even if you were out in an area make sure to keep checking your paths out as some holes have begun to open up and a bunch more geese are showing up. After today it's looking like another decent freeze for a few days.
On the goose topic, we have heard about the multiple dead geese on the ice in town and I am pretty sure a group made a phone call already to the DNR to inform them. I don't have any more details on why or what not just mainly saying we were aware of it.

Could it be the bird flu? Injured birds from hunting? Something else?

On Wednesday another update was posted on the geese situation by Sommer to his Sommer Outdoors page.

Dead geese on area lakes update ? Sorry I personally do not have confirmation on what is going on. There is alot of speculation however until a few carcasses are recovered and tested we won't know. What i do know is every branch of the DNR that deals with these issues have been notified including the MN board of animal health. I have been told there has been active cases of bird flu in the area as well. I have also talked with the outdoor news about this topics as well. I would think maybe we might hear soon what is causing the massive die off of birds.

The update wasn't as revealing as some would have hoped, but it did give insight into who has been notified and where we might soon find answers to why so many geese are having issues in the Fairmont area.

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What should you do if you encounter what you believe to be an injured or ill bird?

Individuals can contact local DNR wildlife staff or the DNR information center at 888-646-6367 to report sick or dead birds.

H/T Outdoor News 

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