Fears climate change could tip toxic algae to deadly levels - Stuff.co.nz
The number of dogs killed after eating toxic algae from the banks of our rivers and lakes used to be tracked by Nelson's Cawthron Institute. But as that figure crept into the hundreds, researchers lost count. Now, it's not just dogs getting sick. In the past decade, nearly 40 people in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts have become ill from what the local public health unit suspects is shellfish contaminated with cyanotoxins – originating from that same algae. "These are some of the most lethal natural compounds. We should take them seriously," Cawthron senior freshwater scientist Susie Wood said. READ MORE: * Scientists track the changing colour in one of New Zealand's most polluted lakes * High-protein algae the focus of $3m global study led by New Zealand scientists * Rain needed to get rid of toxic Waihao River algae With temperatures rising and waters warming, she feared the problem would only get worse, and eventually, it could be a person that dies