An unusual and worrying phenomenon has hit the beaches of Grado and Lignano Sabbiadoro, where sixteen dead swans have been found in recent days. The first reports came from hikers and tourists, who spotted the lifeless animals along the shoreline. The intervention of the Regional Forestry Corps was immediate, committed to recovering the carcasses safely and transferring them to the competent bodies.
Initial analyzes have not yet clarified the cause of the death, but the most popular hypothesis is that of a new outbreak of avian influenza. Part of the samples were entrusted to the Istituto Zooprophylattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, while others were delivered to the Giuliano Isontina University Health Authority (Asugi) for further investigations.
Recovering specimens is difficult
The veterinary service of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region had already reported the possibility of new outbreaks of avian flu. The suspicion that the pathology could be the cause of the death of the swans therefore appears well founded, even if laboratory tests will be needed to confirm it. Avian influenza is a viral disease that affects wild birds and can spread rapidly, requiring rigorous safety protocols.
The recovery operations were carried out with extreme caution. Forestry agents from Monfalcone, Gorizia and Cervignano reported difficulties in recovering the specimens, some of which were still in the water. In particular, eleven swans were found in the Lido delle Conchiglie area, while three others were recovered along the beach of Lignano.
Recommendations and active surveillance
While awaiting the official results, the Regional Forestry Corps invites citizens not to touch the dead animals and to report any new discoveries. Local forest stations will maintain constant surveillance to prevent the risk of contagion. For now, the Friulian coast remains in a state of caution, with the hope that analyzes will soon clarify the origin of this mysterious die-off which has disturbed the autumn silence of the coast.
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