Wildlife Disease News Digest

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Mammals facing extinction threat
BBC News - news.bbc.co.uk
06 Oct 2006
R Black
Image courtesy of S Goodman/Leeds University

At least 25% of the world's mammal species are at risk of extinction, according to the first assessment of their status for a decade. The Red List of Threatened Species says populations of more than half of mammalian species are falling, with Asian primates particularly at risk. The biggest threat to mammals is loss of habitat, including deforestation. But there is good news for the African elephant, whose recovery leads to removal from the high-risk list.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

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Chronic wasting in deer prompts rehab ban
Gaylord Herald Times - www.gaylordheraldtimes.com
03 Oct 2008
C Engle
Area: Michigan, United States

Wildlife rehabilitators were ordered to release their whitetail deer and fawns and are no longer allowed to care for injured or orphaned deer under the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) efforts to control the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Brian Mastenbrook, wildlife biologist with the Gaylord DNR office, sees the rules as a crucial step in keeping the fatal disease from spreading to Michigan’s wild deer herd and prolonging the battle with a disease that’s not completely understood. Meanwhile, rehabilitators like Cindy Burns and Michael Curtis of Sturgeon Valley Wildlife Rehab Center in Vanderbilt worry rehabilitation efforts will only move from licensed outdoor facilities to the garages and basements of good-spirited — but unqualified — citizens.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

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Dead dolphins seen on training exercise
Western Morning News - www.thisiswesternmorningnews.co.uk
04 Oct 2008
Area: River Fal, England, United Kingdom - Map It

Dead marine mammals were spotted during a naval exercise which has been blamed for a mass stranding of dolphins on the Westcountry coast. RNLI crews and wildlife volunteers battled to save the lives of scores of dolphins which were stranded in shallow creeks off the Fal River on June 9. The tragedy claimed the lives of 26 dolphins, but up to 60 were successfully refloated. The Ministry of Defence has revealed up to 20 warships – including vessels from Holland, France, Germany, the United States, Belgium, Chile and Denmark – were involved in the training.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

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VIDEO: Battling Bee-Killing Parasite
National Geographic News - news.nationalgeographic.com
02 Oct 2008
Area: Australia

Australia is one of the only major beekeeping countries free of a parasitic mite that is killing bees throughout the world. The battle is on to prevent an infestation.

>>>VIDEO

Sea Lions Sick From Contagious Disease
KCBA Fox 35 News - www.kcba.com
02 Oct 2008
Area: Moss Landing, Monterey County, California, USA - Map It

Dozens of sick California sea lions have been brought in to the Marine Mammal Center field office in Moss Landing for care, and officials say a contagious infection is to blame. Marine officials say the mammals are dehydrated, lethargic and in pain. The infection is called Leptospirosis, and it affects the liver and kidneys. Marine officials said some years have more outbreaks than other years. They said this disease follows a cyclical pattern.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
Image courtesy of Getty Images