A troubling duck die-off is occurring around Lake Michigan. Thus far, approximately 40 deceased ducks have been collected from the shores.

A troubling duck die-off is occurring around Lake Michigan. Thus far, researchers from The Field Museum in Chicago have already collected approximately 40 deceased ducks from the shores.

Experts suspect the high death count is related to the unrelenting frigid temperatures. The cold weather is preventing the solid, thick coating of ice to melt which in turn is leaving the food supply for the ducks dangerously short.

All of the dead ducks that were found had starved to death. The sight of them is disturbing to say the least.

"This is a very common duck here in the winter. These bodies now gathered in this field museum lab are among the ducks and other waterfowl collected along the lakefront in recent days." [WBBM]

The president of the Illinois Ornithological Society, Bob Fisher detailed the duck problem stating “They’re built to survive and they do survive. Under normal conditions, they can handle it, but this year... there just isn’t enough access to open water.”

Approximately 93 percent of Lake Michigan is covered in unbreakable ice. Fisher believes the gathered ducks passed away weeks ago. He predicts many more will be found within the next month when the ice starts melting.

That prediction is certainly grim, however the end result of the thawed ice means the surviving but hungry waterfowl will finally have access to ample amounts of food.