nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

In another signal that red tide has returned to Southwest Florida, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife announced it has received 33 birds suffering from red tide poisoning so far this month.

“We typically see a few birds admitted each day showing symptoms of brevetoxicosis (red tide poisoning),” CROW spokesperson Brian Bohlman said on Friday.

Since Oct. 1, CROW has seen a total of 88 birds admitted. Of the 66 birds that have survived the first 24 hours, there is a 70% survival rate.

“The birds are treated on a case-by- case basis depending on the severity of their symptoms,” Bohlman said.

“Each bird receives an individual treatment plan after being assessed by the veterinarians upon arrival to the clinic. Many of the birds are receiving a treatment called intravenous lipid emulsion therapy. This treatment works by administering a lipid solution through an intravenous catheter into their bloodstream. The lipids bind to the harmful toxins and prevent them from further affecting the animal and allowing their body to process them out of their system. In addition to this treatment, many birds also receive fluid therapy and food to support the liver and kidneys as they work to remove the toxins.”

According to the FWC, red tide has been reported as growing in the area over the past week.

At Lynn Hall Memorial Park on Fort Myers Beach, red tide was in medium concentrations as of Dec. 16.

Conditions have been worse off Sanibel, Bonita Springs and Marco Island where red tide is reported to be high based on studies documented by the FWC.

In Lee County, there were 29 reported fish kill events reported to the FWC between Dec. 13 and Dec. 18.

Of those reports, five were on Fort Myers Beach. Those cases involved mullet, a stingray, blue crab, puffer, snooker, catfish and other unidentified fish.