Louisiana:
Blackbirds are having hard time staying alive in the Southeastern U-S. Just a few days after as many as 5 thousand fell from the sky in Arkansas, some 500 birds dropped to their death in Louisiana.
It's unclear if the cases are related - wildlife officials in both states are sending carcasses to a federal lab and the University of Georgia for testing.
In the small town of Beebe in Arkansas, everyone seems to have a theory about what sent so many birds crashing down on New Year's Eve.
Scientists say celebratory fireworks likely sent a discombobulated flock into such a tizzy that they crashed into homes, cars and each other. Still, authorities acknowledge that they probably won't be able to pinpoint a cause with certainty.
The birds were the second mass wildlife death in Arkansas in recent days.
Last week, about 83,000 dead and dying drum fish washed up along a 20-mile stretch of the Arkansas River.
Officials say they were probably stricken by an illness and it's unlikely their deaths are related to the dead birds.
Testing could take up to a month.
It's unclear if the cases are related - wildlife officials in both states are sending carcasses to a federal lab and the University of Georgia for testing.
In the small town of Beebe in Arkansas, everyone seems to have a theory about what sent so many birds crashing down on New Year's Eve.
Scientists say celebratory fireworks likely sent a discombobulated flock into such a tizzy that they crashed into homes, cars and each other. Still, authorities acknowledge that they probably won't be able to pinpoint a cause with certainty.
The birds were the second mass wildlife death in Arkansas in recent days.
Last week, about 83,000 dead and dying drum fish washed up along a 20-mile stretch of the Arkansas River.
Officials say they were probably stricken by an illness and it's unlikely their deaths are related to the dead birds.
Testing could take up to a month.
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