More Dead Waterfowl Prompt Warnings At McKinley Park

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Dog walkers are being advised to stay away from a Southwest Side park, after even more dead geese and ducks were found there.

As WBBM Newsradio's Michele Fiore reports, the problem was discovered Tuesday, when six dead Canada geese were discovered at McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Michele Fiore reports

The following day, 10 more geese turned up dead at the lagoon at the park, and as many as 10 more dead birds were found elsewhere. Park District officials began to suspect poisoning.

Lagoon maintenance worker Lorenzo Torres said told CBS 2's Derrick Blakley earlier this week that he had never seen so many dead geese at the park at one time.

"We find once in a while, like once a month and that's it," he said. "Maybe a total, maybe five geese a year."

Warnings were posted at McKinley Park, and at nearby McGuane Park at 2910 S. Poplar Ave.

Meanwhile, the birds were collected and were being tested Friday.

But the story doesn't end there. The Chicago Tribune reported on Thursday, an additional seven geese and two mallard ducks were found dead at McKinley Park.

Now, visitors - people and dogs - are advised to stay off grassy areas near the pond, and fishermen should also avoid it, the newspaper reported.

In:
• Michele Fiore