Wildlife Disease News Digest

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New law a break for the big birds
The Union-Tribune - www.signonsandiego.com
30 Jun 2008
M Gardner
Area: California United States

Lead ammunition ban in condor habitat set to take effect

The California condor looks and feeds like the vulture it is and would never be confused with the majestic bald eagle. Nevertheless, it enjoys a coveted place on the U.S. Mint's California quarter and a less coveted spot on the U.S. Endangered Species List. Starting tomorrow, the condor will be provided another layer of protection when new hunting regulations go into effect. In territory shared with the condor, those who hunt deer, elk and other big game will be prohibited from using lead ammunition.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

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>>>Wildlife group rescues condors from Big Sur fire

Bee Disease A Mystery
ScienceDaily - www.sciencedaily.com (Source: Society for General Microbiology)
29 Jun 2008

Scientists are one step closer to understanding the recent demise of billions of honey bees after making an important discovery about the transmission of a common bee virus. Deformed wing virus (DWV) is passed between adult bees and to their developing brood by a parasitic mite called Varroa destructor when it feeds. However, research published in the July issue of the Journal of General Virology suggests that the virus does not replicate in Varroa, highlighting the need for further investigation. Deformed wing virus has been linked to the collapse of honey bee colonies in Britain. In recent years the prevalence of the virus has increased globally in colonies infested with Varroa.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Cited Journal Article
>>>Immunolocalization of deformed wing virus particles within the mite Varroa destructor. J Gen Virol. 2008 Jul; 89(Pt 7): 1685-9.

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>>>Bees seeking 'sugary' garden pest

Australian crocs hit by cane toad 'wave of death'
NewScientist Environment - environment.newscientist.com
27 Jun 2008
R Nowak
Image courtesy of M Letnic/University of Sydney
Area: Northern Territories Australia -

Pit a cane toad against a freshwater crocodile and who wins? Although the croc eats the oversized amphibian, it seems the toad has the final laugh. Dead freshwater crocodiles in Australia's Northern Territory were once a rare sight. But since 2005, locals have witnessed mass die-offs. Researchers now say the toxic and invasive cane toad (Bufo marinus) is to blame. Two surveys, in 2005 and 2007, suggested that the mass croc deaths have progressively moved inland from the mouth of Victoria River, at a pace that matches that of the cane toad invasion. The toads secrete a milky-white toxin which is lethal to many predators from glands behind their eyes and on their backs.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Cited Journal Article
>>>Invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus) cause mass mortality of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) in tropical Australia. Biological Conservation. 2008 Jun 18; Epub ahead of print.

Related News
>>>VIDEO: Toads Poisoning "Medical" Snakes

Reported Wildlife Mortality Events to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center Updated
USGS National Wildlife Health Center
30 Jun 2008
Area: United States

USGS and a network of partners across the country work on documenting wildlife mortality events in order to provide timely and accurate information on locations, species and causes of death. This information was updated on June 27, 2008 on the USGS National Wildlife Health Center web page, New and Ongoing Wildlife Mortality Events Nationwide. Quarterly Mortality Reports are also available from this page. These reports go back to 1995.

>>>Updated Wildlife Mortality Event Table

Prions Are Not Degraded By Conventional Sewage Treatment Processes
ScienceDaily - www.sciencedaily.com (Source: American Chemical Society)
25 Jun 2008
Image courtesy of Katherine McMahon

Scientists in Wisconsin are reporting that typical wastewater treatment processes do not degrade prions. Prions, rogue proteins that cause incurable brain infections such as Mad Cow disease and its human equivalent, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, are difficult to inactivate, resisting extreme heat, chemical disinfectants, and irradiation. Until now, scientists did not know whether prions entering sewers and septic tanks from slaughterhouses, meatpacking facilities, or private game dressing, could survive and pass through conventional sewage treatment plants.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Cited Journal Article
>>>Persistence of Pathogenic Prion Protein during Simulated Wastewater Treatment Processes. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008 Jun 10; Epub ahead of print.