11.09.2012

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says an outbreak of Newcastle Disease caused a number of cormorants to die earlier this summer. Roughly 800 cormorants, pelicans and gulls were found sick or dead at Pigeon Lake in Litchfield and Minnesota Lake in Faribault County earlier this month.
The DNR is closing the island near Minnesota Lake's western shore until it's determined the Newcastle outbreak has subsided. That island is the site of a large waterfowl nesting colony.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the lakes will be closed until the risk of spreading the disease diminishes.