Dozens of dead ducks found in Calgary's Elliston Park

Read the latest update: Dozens of dead ducks found in Calgary park died of starvation and exposure

Biologists are investigating after dozens of dead ducks were found near a storm water drain in a southeast Calgary park.

Brett Boukall, a senior wildlife biologist with Alberta Environment and Parks, said the agency was notified of the birds around 10 a.m. Wednesday. He said samples are being sent to the lab and he hopes they'll have more information in a weeks time.

Olav Rokne, a spokesperson for the agency, said they don't currently have a number of exactly how many dead birds have been found but that it's more than a few dozen.

"Our biologists have gone out to the site, they're collecting samples of individual dead birds," he said, adding that they're working in partnership with the city.

Calgarian Wayne Clarke shared photos with CBC News of the dead birds, including a close-up of a bird that appeared to have a well-preserved head and wings, while the body had perhaps been scavenged.

Rokne said it appears the dead birds are only located near the storm water drainage area in the southeast Calgary park.

He said over the winter, it's common for waterfowl to congregate along open water areas like the Bow River or storm water ponds and as the temperature drops the areas of available open water shrink, leading to overcrowding.

"So, for these birds remaining at these crowded, open water areas can result in starvation, extreme exposure and even disease, resulting in mortalities. And it's too early to say for sure, but this could be what caused this event at Elliston Park," he said.

He said there have been similar incidences in the past, especially when the temperature drops into the -30s.