A duck saved in the early stages of botulism at Tahuna Torea in Glen Innes.

Paralysed and dead birds are being found in Auckland parks and ponds on a daily basis, a duck rescue group says.

During the summer months parks and waterways across Auckland become susceptible to avian botulism, a bacterial disease which lives in soil and causes the death of waterfowl.

The disease can cause paralysis and, depending on toxicity levels, death.

SUPPLIED/DUCK RESCUE Hundreds of ducks have been found dead or paralysed as avian botulism disease spreads through Auckland's waterways.

Duck Rescue Auckland was founded by Cornelia Boeckl two years ago to help ducks affected by the disease.

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Three fountains in the Auckland Domain had been broken for a couple of months which had contributed to the deaths of ducks, Boeckl said.

SUPPLIED/DUCK RESCUE A dead duck in one of the Auckland Domain's ponds is one of many killed by botulism.

"The ponds are all bubbling, stagnant and stinky. The long-term solution is to improve water quality to get it aerated," Boeckl said.

Volunteers started recording statistics this summer and more than 300 checks had been since done before Christmas.

Out of 15 ponds, 160 dead birds were found, 80 birds were rescued and 70 birds were sick and unable to be reached.

In 2016, Boeckl said about 1000 birds died or were rescued in Western Springs within a couple of months.

Boeckl said Auckland Council wasn't doing enough to maintain water quality and dispose of dead birds.

"If they leave them in the outbreak spreads and is worse," she said.

Councillor Mike Lee said he was "appalled" at the council's continued lack of action at the Auckland Domain despite his urgent requests in early January.

"On the evidence Auckland Council's contracted-out management system is a fail," Lee said.

"Leaving the domain fountain pump in a state of disrepair for months has meant the needless death of ducks and other aquatic birds.

"This is distressing for the visiting public and cruel to sick and dying birds."

Auckland Council head of operational management and maintenance Agnes McCormack said it was working closely with Duck Rescue Auckland to address concerns.

"As the occurrence of avian botulism rises with the temperature in summer, our contractors have been reminded that they need to check our ponds and waterways for dead birds and remove and dispose of the immediately," McCormack said.

"We are also working closely with out healthy waters department on a joined up approach to monitoring the wildlife in and around our ponds."

To counter the disease, council increased the installation of barley bales in affected ponds to reduce affected ponds to reduce algae growth and improve water quality, she said.

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