Red Squirrels 'Could be Wiped Out by Virus'
Manchester Evening News
18 July 2006
A DEADLY virus could wipe out one of Britain's rare red squirrel populations, an expert warned today.
The warning came after vets confirmed a red squirrel had died from the squirrel pox virus in Ainsdale, Merseyside. The virus is carried by the more common grey squirrels but does not affect them.
It is passed on to the red squirrels, which have no immunity to the disease.
Steve White, conservation officer at the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: "It is a very worrying situation. There is always a lot of praying involved in red squirrel conservation and this is no exception.
"The discovery of this disease is not always disastrous and we are hoping we will be able to contain it."
Ranchi Zoo Loses Fourth Big Cat in 10 Days
IndiaeNews.com
18 July 2006
Ranchi - A white tiger at a Ranchi zoo died of babesiosis, a fatal disease transmitted by the bite of an infected tick, raising the death toll of big cats here to four in the past 10 days.
The white tiger, which was ailing for 10 days, died late Monday at the Birsa Munda Zoological Park here.
The first tiger died July 9 and a leopard died the very next day. Another tiger succumbed to the disease July 13.
The white tiger was the first of the four animals to fall ill. Doctors said the tiger died of renal failure after battling the disease for 10 days.
‘It seems that the white tiger was badly affected before the disease was diagnosed by the vets. We are hopeful that we will not lose more tigers in the zoo,’ said A.K. Singh, principal chief conservator of forests.
The state government constituted a seven-member medical team and round-the clock vigil was conducted, but the tigers could not be saved. The seven-member team included Abhijit Biswas and G.L. Ghosh.
The zoo authorities claim that the condition of the other ill wild animals are improving.
There were a total of 19 big cats in the zoo. Four of them have died and five are suffering from babesiosis. The sick animals are being administered glucose, dextrose, liver tonic and energy boosters.
What You Should Do with a Dead Bird
Journal and Courier Online
17 July 2006
Recent concern about bird flu and the West Nile virus are making area residents even more reluctant to pick up dead birds. Though most wild bird diseases are not harmful to humans, these two are of particular interest.
Making it difficult: Natural death is frequent among birds. Many have a short lifespan, fall to predators or die in severe weather. Birds also may die in apparent accidents -- hitting power lines, vehicles, aircraft, buildings or windows.
"Between cats and inept flying skills, a lot of these birds don't get past the fledgling state," said Carol Blacketer, executive director of the Wildcat Wildlife Center.
But how do you tell the difference between a bird that died of "natural" causes and one that could be carrying the bird flu or West Nile virus?
"If they're concerned or they want to know a species, or if it's a bird of prey, then we can ID it and dispose of it properly," Blacketer said, also urging residents to contact their local health departments.
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