Mystery illness is killing bald eagles in Utah as scientists scramble to prevent spread of the deadly outbreak

At least 16 birds have died since the beginning of December

Experts baffled by symptoms, including paralysis and seizures

Poisoning unlikely because birds are affected statewide

Scientists are struggling to find the cause of an alarming outbreak of deaths among bald eagles in Utah - and the majestic birds are dying from symptoms faster now than they were just weeks before.



State authorities say at least 16 eagles have died since the beginning of December, and many more could have succumbed to debilitating symptoms in the wild and have not yet been found.

One bird is now in the care of wildlife experts, who are frantically trying to come up with an idea on what is affecting the species, before it too dies.

Unknown illness: This undated image provided by the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah shows one of four bald eagles that were brought in with odd symptoms. All later died

Around half of the affected birds were found dead and handed in to authorities, while the rest were in such poor condition they were put down.

According to DaLyn Erickson-Marthaler, of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah, there has been no breakthrough in determining what is wrong with the birds.

She told NBC News: 'I couldn’t even begin (to speculate) what’s wrong with them yet. If we start focusing on one thing right now, we could miss something else entirely.'

Debilitating symptoms: In every case, affected birds display weakness and then paralysis in their legs and seizures. The affected birds die withing three to four days

Heartbreaking: Experts are frantically trying to establish the cause of the symptoms before more of the birds are affected

Majestic animals: Bald eagles are large birds of prey with a wingspan of more than seven feet

Nothing has been ruled out of the investigation, but intentional poisoning is unlikely because the affected birds have been found in different parts of the state.

The symptoms are unique to bald eagles and have not been seen in other animals. They include displaying weakness and then paralysis in the legs, tremors and seizures, and death.

It usually takes between three and four days for the eagles to die, but wildlife carers have noticed the effects of the symptoms quickening in recent cases.



The bird that is currently still alive was brought to authorities from Davis County on Monday. According to Mrs Erickson Marthaler, the bird was in 'good shape' but was having difficulty standing.

Wildlife experts are advising people not to touch a bald eagle if they find one in distress, but to contact the Division of Wildlife Resources immediately.

The bald eagle is both the national bird and national animal of the US - featuring in many government and business logos.