Antibiotic Resistance Testing and Enumeration of E. coli, Coliforms, and Salmonella in Canada Geese Feces Based on Natural Water Sources and Retention Ponds

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are migrating birds. They can transmit antibiotic resistant bacteria when they are traveling. They do this by ingesting antibiotic resistant bacteria that is on the food they eat in one area, and then excrete some of it at the next place they travel to. Retention ponds have increased amounts of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that Canada geese can pick up if they stop there while migrating. Canada geese that land at a retention pond should have an increased amount of antibiotic resistance compared to landing at a natural water source. Their feces were tested in eight different areas to determine the amount of bacteria and antibiotic resistance present. Any Escherichia coli and Salmonella that inhabit and grow in the feces were counted. The natural water sources did not grow Salmonella, but E. coli was found in everything. The E. coli was then tested with five different antibiotics to see if E. coli is resistant, intermediate, or susceptible based on where it was found. The data then determined that Canada geese are more prone to ingesting ampicillin antibiotic resistant E. coli when they land at a retention pond versus near a natural water source.