PORTLAND, Maine -- The City of Portland and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is asking the public to report any dead birds they may find in the Portland area by calling 207-592-0605.

Over the past three weeks, 36 dead juvenile herring gulls were collected at Deering Oaks Park by the City of Portland. Three of these gulls were sent to be tested at the National Wildlife Disease Lab in Wisconsin and the results of these tests are expected in the next 7-10 days.

Despite the presence of mallard ducks, black-backed gulls, ring-billed gulls and adult herring gulls at Deering Oaks, juvenile herring gulls have been the only types of dead birds found at the park. IFW is asking that the public refrain from handling any dead birds in the Portland area and to call 207-592-0605 for the bird to be collected.