The Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation will host the next in its series of Park Talks Aug. 28, at the Nan Boothby Library in Cochrane from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This month, the free presentation will focus on the topic of whirling disease. “[Whirling disease is] a microscopic parasite,” said Nathan Foy, program and outreach co-ordinator for the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation. “That’s why you can’t see it with your own eyes. It affects salmonide fish – most popularly in our water systems are trout, both brown and rainbow trout.” According to Foy, whirling disease was first discovered in North America in the United States in the 1950s, and has gradually worked its way up to Canada. “Most recently, it’s finally got into our big riverways,” he said. “Most notably around Alberta, the Bow River, the Oldman River, the Red Deer River and the North Saskatchewan River.” Foy said the severity of the disease depends on the age and health of the fish in the affected body of water, but whirling disease is especially detrimental to young fish populations and has been shown in different areas to wipe out as much as 90 per cent of a given population. “Once it’s there, it’s kind of there to stay,” Foy said. “The fish that are survivors of it, they have a natural antibody.” He added whirling disease is just like any disease that hits any population – most will be affected by the disease and pass away, and those that survive will go on to be the next life cycle. For that reason, Foy said, it’s important humans avoid spreading the parasite from one body to another, which can be prevented by cleaning boats and washing shoes. Foy admitted he is not an expert on the subject of whirling disease, and expressed excitement that Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation is partnering with the Bow Habitat Station for the presentation. He said an expert speaker from Alberta Environments and Parks – still to be announced – will give a more thorough overview of the disease and its history, the types of species it affects, and what the public can do to keep from spreading the parasite to new bodies of freshwater.
