Stagnant water led to higher rates of botulism in New Jersey lakes and ponds. The poisonous bacteria release neurotoxins into aquatic vegetation. After eating the plants, ducks and geese lose their ability to swallow and become so weak that they drown. Though small outbreaks occur every summer, many more birds succumbed this season.
Norway-rat sightings spiked in New York, leading to continuing speculation that rats outnumber the city’s 7 million people. Parched, cat-size monsters openly sought food and water in garbage piles and in basements.
The dry weather damaged skunk cabbage and berries at higher elevations, pushing bears in New England and upstate New York on to human turf, especially garbage dumps and gardens.
Bailing out on trickling rivers, beavers aren’t building their usual dams. That lowers the water levels even further, depriving muskrats, raccoons and deer of their water supply, too.
Nectar producing flowers died early this year, so aggressive yellow jackets sought new sources of moisture–trash and human sweat. Ouch!
