February 1, 2010

TOP STORIES

Hospital puts sea turtles with tumors on fast track

Forty scientists and veterinarians take part in removal of noncancerous growths from reptiles at a Florida nature center. Tumors are turning up on the turtles worldwide, but their cause is unknown.

Reporting from Boca Raton, Fla. - The hospital waiting room was packed with patients, but not with humans. These were endangered green sea turtles covered with golf-ball-sized growths.

At least 40 scientists and veterinarians participated in delicate surgeries at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center on Tuesday to remove noncancerous tumors, called fibropapilloma. The tumors, some of them on the turtles' eyes, resembled moldy cauliflower. Once the tumors are removed, some turtles will have a chance to regain lost sight.


Los Angeles Times - www.latimes.com
29 Jan 2010
CR Allen
Photo courtesy of Carline Jean / South Florida Sun-Sentinel



With Climate Change, Some Birds Are Taking Off for Migration Sooner; Not Reaching Destinations Earlier

Migrating birds can and do keep their travel dates flexible, a new study published online on January 28th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, reveals. But in the case of pied flycatchers, at least, an earlier takeoff hasn't necessarily translated into an earlier arrival at their destination. It appears the problem is travel delays the birds are experiencing as a result of harsh weather conditions on the final leg of their journey through Europe.

The discovery may in a sense be good news as far as birds' potential to cope under climate change, but it also highlights the vulnerability of long-distance migrants to environmental conditions in general.

ScienceDaily - www.sciencedaily.com
29 Jan 2010


Cited Journal Article

More Interesting Bird News



Coming Friday: Look for New 'In the Spotlight' Feature – Interview with a Wildlife Health Community Member


In July 2009, the Wildlife Disease News Digest created a new feature, In the Spotlight, for its Friday postings, in which we highlight upcoming meetings, past disease investigations, and useful wildlife disease related resources. Beginning this Friday, we are excited to roll out a new segment, Interview with a Wildlife Health Community Member.

To learn more about this exciting new feature, and who our first interviewee is, check back with us this Friday here on the Digest.


TOP READ LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

News
  1. AVMA supports proposal calling for more wildlife and zoo veterinarians
  2. Impact of nature's invading aliens measured for the first time
  3. Fungus that targets bats 'very scary'
  4. Va.'s first Chronic Wasting Disease case puts hunters on edge
  5. Dozens Of Migratory Birds Shot, Dumped Near Texas Lake
  6. Debate swirls over health of Illinois' bald eagle population
  7. Whale common in tropical waters turns up dead in Puget Sound
  8. Parasite Spreading Between Animals, Zookeepers
  9. CDC reorganization creating emerging and zoonotic disease center
  10. Deadly fish virus now found in all Great Lakes

Publications
  1. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine [Dec 2009 - Vol. 40, Issue 4]
  2. Global indicators of biological invasion: species numbers, biodiversity impact and policy responses
  3. Journal of Wildlife Management [January 2010 - Vol. 74, Issue 1]
  4. Scientific and Technical Review: Veterinary education for global animal and public health [2009 - Vol. 28, Issue 2]
  5. Increased risk of chronic wasting disease in Rocky Mountain elk associated with decreased magnesium and increased manganese in brain tissue


WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
Photo courtesy of The Guardian
Huh, That's Interesting!
It Ain't All Bad News

at Monday, February 01, 2010