TOP STORIES
Coral grief
Guardian News - www.guardian.co.uk
24 Jul 2008
T Radford
Image courtesy of Getty
A climatologist who is trying to explain why even the most immediate and drastic steps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions may not save the coral reefs, has embarked on a metaphor for climate change. "The climate is like this big ship, right? We are all on this big ship and the problem is once you hit the brakes it takes a long time for the ship to actually slow down and stop," says Simon Donner of the University of British Columbia. "In our case the ship is the Titanic and we are going to hit the iceberg. It is going to be almost impossible for us not to hit the iceberg at this point. What we need to do is everything we can to put the brakes on, to slow the ship down and – to hope for the corals to help us – move the iceberg a little bit. The time for emission reductions isn't so much now, it was 20 years ago."
DEC investigates bat deaths
Putnam County Courier - www.zwire.com
24 Jul 2008
E Gross
Area: New York United States - Map It
Thousands of bats are dying throughout the region from unknown causes, prompting an investigation by the State Department of Environmental Conservation. DEC spokesman Yancey Roy said the most obvious symptom involved in the die-off is a white fungus encircling the noses of the infected mammals called white-nose syndrome: "The fungus is associated with the problem, but it may not necessarily contribute to the actual cause of death. Examination of the deceased bats has shown a depletion of fat reserve prior to emergence from hibernation resulting in death." Alan Hicks, DEC's bat specialist, called the findings "unprecedented. This is the gravest threat to bats we have ever encountered."
West Nile virus found in Bird Rock crow La Jolla Light - www.lajollalight.com
23 Jul 2008
L Petersen and Amy Lynne Bowes
Area: Sand Diego County, California, United States - Map It
The West Nile virus, a disease found in birds that via mosquitoes can transfer to humans, was recently found in a dead crow in the Bird Rock area. According to the county of San Diego Vector Control Program Web site, the crow was found on Beaumont Avenue in Bird Rock on July 11 and tested positive July 16 for the West Nile virus. "I found him (the bird) outside my house in the cul de sac," said Bird Rock resident Cyndi Haskett, "You're supposed to call the city, and they have a number to online." Within a couple of hours, a worker from the county came to get the bird. He told Haskett the county would let her know if it tested positive for West Nile virus.
OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH NEWS
Image courtesy of The Oregon Zoo
- Region’s birds succumbing to parasite infection - Nevada, USA - Map It
No comments:
Post a Comment