By MIKE CORN

mcorn@dailynews.net

RUSSELL SPRINGS -- Wildlife officials are investigating the deaths of at least 34 wild turkeys in and around Russell Springs -- a community where the turkeys easily outnumber people.

There's plenty of speculation about what caused the deaths, not the least of which is the possibility of accidental or intentional poisoning, perhaps with Rozol -- generally used in Logan County to control prairie dogs.

Most of the dead birds were found in the community's city park, although a number of them were found at a ranch about 5 miles west of town.

There, landowner Molly Lamb said seven dead birds were found.

Another set of dead birds was found south of Russell Springs.

All of the birds apparently died over the weekend, with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks first notified on Monday. There was another report that some birds died sometime around New Year's Eve.

Of the birds found dead, six were collected by KDWP and have been shipped off for tests at a laboratory in Athens, Ga.

"They've sent two from each of the three sets," said Brad Odle, KDWP's wildlife supervisor for the western third of the state.

Results from the tests could come in as early as Monday.

Odle said there were no outward signs of what might have caused the turkey deaths.

"There's a lot of speculation," he said.

That speculation stems from the fact that the deaths are coming from Logan County, a hotbed of activity involving a battle over prairie dogs and the reintroduction of the nation's most endangered mammal, the black-footed ferret.

Logan County officials have said they plan to start poisoning Jan. 26 on land where the ferrets have been released.

Odle said he's heard the reports that perhaps the birds had been poisoned by Rozol.

But he said that Matt Bain, a Colby-based wildlife biologist with KDWP, had examined the birds' crops and found no evidence of the tell-tale green stain from Rozol.

"But what does that look like after it's been in the crop for two days?" Oldle wondered aloud.

In fact, he said, when the crops were examined, they were empty.

That fact makes the deaths mysterious, as does the fact that the dead birds were found as much as 5 miles apart.

"They appear to have died in a relatively short amount of time," Odle said, which could mean some type of poisoning had taken place.

Plus, he said, some comments were made to Bain "that people in Russell Springs were tired of all the turkeys in town."

Russell Springs is a community of 23 people, while area residents this as many as 200 turkeys saunter through the town on a regular basis. Turkeys also generally bunch up during winter months, making for large congregations of the birds.

"I would suppose there were at least 100 to 150," said Joye Rogge, a Russell Springs resident. "Maybe even 200. It would just turn black with turkeys."

Odle said at least one landowner reported seeing birds that appeared to be ill.

"Apparently, whatever it is is taking a little while to kill them," he said.

Until the cause of death is determined, there's little that can be done.

KDWP's law enforcement arm is involved, but only because they were notified of the deaths and helped collect the birds.

"They're going to be waiting on the same report," Odle said. "It's all speculation until we get that report."