Genetically Distinct Devils Give New Hope
The Australian
22 Feb 2007
M Denholm
Photo Courtesy of The New Zealand Herald
The landmark discovery of a small group of genetically distinct Tasmanian devils could save the species from extinction. Cytogeneticist Anne Maree Pearse has discovered that about 5 per cent of devils have a genetic make-up that, after a breeding program, could produce offspring less susceptible to cancers. A unique infectious cancer, the fatal devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), has wiped out more than 40 per cent of wild devils.
Ms Pearse said yesterday her discovery, if backed by peer review, could lead to a breeding program to produce genetically superior devils. These devils could then form a population to give the species "a whole new start" should DFTD destroy the rest of the species. "Then, in a worst-case scenario of the devils becoming extinct, we may be able to have a group of devils that are a different strain but a lot healthier than the ones we have out there at the moment who are suffering," she said.
Sharpshooters Cull Deer in NW Minnesota to Curb Bovine TB Spread
The Associated Press (posted by IN-FORUM)
21 Feb 2007
Sharpshooters are culling deer in northwestern Minnesota to try to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis to cattle. Six sharpshooters with the U.S.-D-A began killing deer yesterday in an area east of Thief River Falls. More sharpshooters are scheduled to arrive this week.
D-N-R wildlife health program coordinator Michelle Powell says the culling likely will continue through March. She estimates that hundreds of deer will be shot. The deer are being killed in an area where an outbreak of bovine T-B has infected both cattle and wild deer.
Study Provides No Evidence to Justify Badger Culling
icWales.co.uk
20 Feb 2007
S Dube
A survey of bovine tuberculosis in badgers has proved a strong link with the disease in cattle across Wales. But the Welsh Assembly Government's final report on the Veterinary Laboratories Agency's survey of badgers found dead in Wales between October 2005 and May last year has proved nothing else. Instead, the study of 727 badgers has sparked another round of sniping between the farmers' unions and the Badger Trust. The study shows more badgers suffer from bTB in the areas where farmers say the epidemic is worst among their cattle.
The unions say this shows badgers are transmitting it to cattle. The Badger Trust insists it is the other way round. The findings have been passed to the Assembly's TB Action Group, chaired by Deputy Rural Affairs Minister Tamsin Dunwoody, for their consideration. The survey, announced in December 2005, aimed to establish whether badgers were carrying bTB and initial results were published in September last year.
Come On You Reds
The Sun
19 Feb 2007
Britain's native red squirrels have been declining since grey ones arrived from America in the 1800s. Now they face their biggest threat – squirrel pox. The Wildlife Ark Trust is trying to develop a vaccine against the deadly disease, which only affects reds. Here the charity’s patron, golfing legend Peter Alliss, explains why urgent action is needed.
Squirrel pox will wipe out our red squirrel population in the near future unless the problem is tackled NOW. The disease ravages and kills beautiful, healthy red squirrels. Painful lesions develop and spread over their bodies from the skin around the eyes and nose. Some reds die from secondary infections contracted through the raw skin.
Laboratory Stays Vigilant in Fight Against Devastating Animal Diseases
Orlando Sentinal
18 Feb 2007
M Pino
Bird flu. Foot-and-mouth disease. Mad cow. Like enemies lurking on the border, foreign animal diseases could take a terrible toll on Florida's animal industry -- and by extension, its economy -- should they unleash here. By conducting thousands of tests a month, the Kissimmee Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, and a smaller state lab in Live Oak, stand guard for such outbreaks. The labs are home to animal detectives whose work is similar to that performed for humans by a health department and a medical examiner's office.
Last year the two labs, part of the state Department of Agriculture, conducted more than 400,000 tests for a variety of diseases, including one of worldwide concern these days -- avian influenza. Bird flu generated about 1,000 tests a month for the Kissimmee lab in 2006. "We know it is a big responsibility," said interim Bureau Chief Jim Maxwell, a veterinarian and fourth-generation Floridian from Green Cove Springs.
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