News
Council confirm algae risk in National Park
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By Sean Moriarty
Dog owners are this week being advised by Kerry County Council to keep pets on a lead while walking them in the National Park as laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of a blue-green algae, which has the potential to form an algal scum.
This week Council staff carried out laboratory tests and in accordance with protocols for these situations, precautionary signage has been erected at locations along the shore of Lough Leane, and those who frequent the shoreline are being advised to exercise caution, as it can be harmful to small animals.
As a precaution, members of the public should ensure that dogs are kept on leads and not allowed to enter the water.
The announcement comes just a week after the Killarney Advertiser reported that at least one local dog had died after coming in contact with water in the National Park.
Local vet Danny O’Sullivan treated at least one local dog for suspected algae poisoning in the last week.
“Daily inspections of the shoreline will take place and further samples will be taken as required,” a Council spokesperson said.
Blue-green ‘algae’ is not actually an algae but is made from Cyanobacteria which feed on nutrients in water.
Cyanobacteria is harmful in other respects too as it can use up the oxygen in water and block sunlight that freshwater plants and animals need to survive . However, it is also a valuable food source for soil-based plants.
A previous outbreak three years ago led to the death of a number of dogs.
Outbreaks of blue-green algae occur now on an annual basis in Killarney, regardless of weather conditions, although muggy humid conditions seem to accelerate the occurrence.
This has been an ongoing issue in the National Park for the last 20 years or more with some sources blaming phosphates from fertilizers used by farmers finding its way into the eco system, while others say it is caused by detergents seeping in to the lakes.
