(Gloucester Township, NJ) — The county was notified today that results of a recent test performed by the state Department of Environmental Protection has confirmed a moderate health level risk present in Timber Creek Pond located in Timber Creek Park. The cause of the elevated risk in the Gloucester Township Pond is due to an algal bloom. The county Health Department is asking residents to keep their dogs out of the waterway until the situation can be treated and resolved.
Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, are microscopic organisms that can be found naturally in all types of water and sometimes rapidly grow out of control, or bloom. These blooms can make toxins that are deadly for animals when ingested.
“With this confirmation, we have set up signs around the pond to alert visitors of the situation,” said county health officer Paschal Nwako. “We are working to explore treatments for the lake to avoid this happening in future seasons but for now, please keep pets away from the pond.”
The county Parks Department will be working alongside the Rutgers Cooperative Extension to investigate ways to resolve the bloom in the pond.
Call a veterinarian if your animal shows any of these signs:
- Loss of energy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Stumbling and falling
- Foaming at the mouth
- Diarrhea
- Convulsions
- Excessive drooling
- Tremors and seizures
- Any unexplained sickness that occurs within a day or so after being in contact with water
If you have questions about cyanobacterial toxin poisoning, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.