Over 1,100 Geese Mysteriously Found Dead in New Jersey Waters
Photo by PPD on Pixnio
Residents living near waterways in New Jersey are alarmed after discovering large numbers of dead geese floating along shorelines and in open water.
Officials with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection say they received reports of more than 1,100 dead geese between Saturday and Monday. Wildlife pathologists are now examining the birds to determine what caused the sudden die-off.
State pathologist Patrick Connelly believes avian influenza is a likely factor. He noted that seasonal migration brings dense flocks of waterfowl into the region, creating conditions that allow the virus to spread quickly and prove fatal to infected birds.
WILDLIFE ALERT: At least a dozen dead birds were found at the Swimming River Reservoir in Middletown Township, as reports of dead birds surface across several New Jersey counties.
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— News12NJ (@News12NJ) February 17, 2026
Reports of dead and dying birds have risen across the state, from Belmar Beach to the Swimming River Reservoir in Middletown Township, where carcasses have been seen lining the shore and some birds appear disoriented in the water, according to coverage by News 12 New Jersey.
Local wildlife observer Blake Alan, who tracks bald eagle activity near the reservoir, warned that scavenging birds face particular risk. Eagles often feed on dead waterfowl; if those carcasses carry avian flu, the virus can spread to the predators. Alan said the disease has already killed two eagles in the state this year and more than 30 last year.
Over a 1,000 geese are dead in NJ 😢 pic.twitter.com/u1hkPxip3y
— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) February 19, 2026
While avian flu poses minimal risk to people, it is frequently lethal to birds. The Department of Environmental Protection will confirm the exact cause of death once testing is complete.
Amid the surge in goose deaths, residents have voiced growing concern about the health of local waterways and the broader impact on wildlife.
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