Residents are urged not to swim or consume fish from Zoo Lake for now.
This is a precautionary measure, following the death of a gaggle of Egyptian geese and fish.
Jenny Moodley, Spokesperson at the JCPZ, said “keep children and pets away from dead or visibly distressed wildlife and also avoid handling dead birds or fish.”
Veterinarians (vets) from the JCPZ, are conducting post-mortem tests on selected carcasses to help establish the cause of their death.
Moodley also said the vets are not ruling out seasonal avian botulism as a potential cause.
“Warmer water and decomposing organic matter can create conditions favourable for the production of toxins that affect waterbirds. However, botulism has not been confirmed in this incident” she said.
Reports of sewage spills potentially contaminating the lake are also being investigated.
Picture: BirdLife SA.