TOP STORIES
Tests show algae toxin in some sick pelicans
Associated Press (posted by Yahoo News - news.yahoo.com)
10 Jan 2009
Location: California, USA
Image courtesy of San Francisco Chronicle
A toxic chemical produced by algae has been detected in some sick California brown pelicans that are being found in record numbers along the West Coast, though researchers don't believe it's the primary cause of their widespread illness, wildlife experts said Friday.
Three of six blood samples taken from sick pelicans tested positive for domoic acid, according to preliminary laboratory results from the University of Southern California. Five of 14 water samples taken from waters off the Southern California coast also indicated low concentrations of domoic acid in the phytoplankton.
"We believe these results are significant but do not explain all the signs we are seeing in the pelicans," said Dr. Heather Nevill, a veterinarian at the International Bird Rescue Research Center, which provided the samples. "We are seeing a number of conditions that are not typical of domoic acid toxicity or a domoic acid event."
Left to forage, swans find old lead
Pioneer Press - www.twincities.com)
09 Jan 2009
C Niskanen and B Gervais
Location: Fergus Falls, Minnesota, USA
About 2,000 of Minnesota's trumpeter swans needed some tough love.
But the state-listed threatened species didn't follow the game plan, and now some are recovering from injuries and even lead poisoning.
In December, the state Department of Natural Resources decided it was time to stop trumpeter swan feeding programs at two major swan wintering areas: the Mississippi River below the Monticello power plant and the Ottertail River near Fergus Falls. The swans congregate in those areas because moving water keeps the areas free of ice.
Fearing a disease outbreak in a dense group of birds, the DNR, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and private citizens, decided it was best to end the feeding efforts and hope the swans would pack their bags and head south for the winter.
Deer disease detected again
The Wichita Eagle - www.kansas.com
08 Jan 2009
M Pearce
Location: Decatur County, Kansas, USA
White-tailed deer in northwest Kansas have tested positive for chronic wasting disease for the second consecutive year.
Three white-tailed deer from Decatur County have tested positive. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks biologists say the bucks were shot by bowhunters during the 2008 deer seasons.
LAST WEEK'S TOP READ LINKS
- California brown pelicans found frail and far from home
- Local herd target of sheep study
- Journal of Wildlife Management - Volume 73, Issue 1 (January 2009) [Journal]
- On the Waterfront: What is making California Pelicans Sick [Video]
- Killer Mice Bring Albatross Population Closer To Extinction
- Lions and Prions and Deer Demise [Journal Article]
- Almost 200 Dead Ducks Found Near Ammon
- Wildlife Research - Volume 35 Number 8 (2008) [Journal]
- Emerging Infectious Diseases - Volume 15, Number 1 (January 2009) [Journal]
- LEAD POISONING AND CALIFORNIA CONDORS
OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
No comments:
Post a Comment