Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials say botulism is likely to blame for hundreds of fish and birds found dead at Centennial Park on Sunday and Monday.
More than 200 fish were found dead in Lake Watauga, the small, artificial lake in the park, since officials were first notified of the situation Sunday. About a dozen ducks and geese were also found dead or dying.
With no visible problems to the pond, officials tell WSMV they expect botulism.
Low oxygen levels in the pond likely killed the fish and the ducks and geese fell ill after they ate the bad fish.
TWRA is testing the birds to confirm what they suspect killed them.
Botulism is most commonly spread to humans through improperly processed canned foods and can cause muscle paralysis and nerve dysfunction.