• PIERRE - State officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are advising those in the area of Lake Pelican to be aware that an algal bloom at the lake may be toxic.
• Toxic algae can be fatal to anything that drinks from a waterbody containing the algae. The algae tend to release an extremely toxic substance during certain times of the year, where water is stagnant, and the algae begins to die off and decay.
• Dead birds and small animals have been noticed recently near the shores of Lake Pelican.
• Toxic blue-green algae are difficult to deal with, according to state officials, who say the potentially fatal toxin usually dissipates within a day to a few weeks.
• The toxic algae historically occurs in stock dams, lakes, ponds, or any such waterbody with little water movement or that lacks fresh water. The toxin acts very quickly in animals or birds, often causing death before they leave the water or within a few feet of the waterbody.
• Ranchers, livestock owners and even pet owners should closely watch watering holes for their animals for turbid, green water due to algae or a blue-green scum around shorelines. If either is present, animals should be kept from watering there as long as the conditions persist.
• Toxic algae have been known to cause animal deaths in cattle, sheep, dogs and

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