Science | mysterious animal deaths Thousands of Fish Dead Along Chicago Lakefront This type of herring is particularly sensitive, says biologist By Evann Gastaldo Posted Jan 11, 2011 11:14 AM CST Copied Ice floes drift on the Lake Michigan in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Yet another mass animal death: Along the Chicago lakefront, gizzard shad—a type of herring—are dying off in large numbers. Thousands, maybe more, are dead and frozen or floating in Lake Michigan, the Sun-Times reports. Geese and ducks are feeding on the dead and dying fish. Gizzard shad are fairly sensitive, particularly to drops in oxygen levels; the early arrival of ice in the harbors could also be a factor. One biologist says the situation is abnormal, but click for a possible explanation for all the die-offs. Read These Next Trump aide gives punny response to Springsteen. President Trump struck defiant tone after tariffs loss at court. Hundreds offer to adopt dog abandoned at airport. One US Olympian just got engaged to another. Report an error