Hundreds of dead, injured birds found along shorelines of Ontario's Georgian Bay
Warning: Some people may find the details of this story disturbing.
An investigation is underway after hundreds of dead and injured birds washed up on the shores of Southern Georgian Bay.
The Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge is involved in the investigation that spans beaches in Collingwood, Midland and Tiny Township.
Experts from the refuge say the birds are fish eaters and have likely consumed bacteria from the fish, which ultimately causes the birds to develop a form of botulism.
Some of the birds were seen struggling along the shoreline and the rescue organization says it is trying to save as many of them as possible.
A dead bird is found on the shoreline in Wasaga Beach, Ont. (Supplied)
The rescue organization is trying to save as many of the birds as possible.
"A lot of them are arctic birds, and there are loons, and grebes, and many, many species that already face so many hardships," said Shades of Hope Director Cathy Stockman.
"To have this potentially kill thousands of these birds is just beyond," she added.
Ten years ago, nearly 6,000 birds washed up on the shores. Authorities believed botulism was to blame in that case.
Botulism is a serious illness caused by toxins that can induce difficulty breathing, paralysis, and death.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.