TOP STORIES
Outbreak Study: Satellite Tracking Reveals How Wild Birds May Spread Avian Flu
For the first time, migratory birds marked with satellite transmitters were tracked during an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus (H5N1) in Asia, providing evidence that wild birds may be partly responsible for the spread of the virus to new areas.
In the study, scientists from the USGS Alaska Science Center and the University of Tokyo attached satellite transmitters to 92 northern pintail ducks several months before the H5N1 virus was discovered in dead and dying whooper swans at wetlands in Japan.
They found that 12 percent of marked pintails used the same wetlands as infected swans and that pintails were present at those sites on dates the virus was discovered in swans. During the first week after they become infected with H5N1, ducks such as pintails can shed the virus orally or in their feces, potentially contributing to the virus’ spread.
12 Apr 2010
Photo credit: U.S. Geological Survey
Wildlife Officials think Pelicans were poisoned
Florida Wildlife Officials made a gruesome discovery. Fifteen pelicans were found dead left in a pile at the Taylor Creek Spillway in Fort Pierce.
The birds are protected by state and federal laws and it appears someone killed them on purpose.
Wildlife officials are calling this one of the biggest cases they've seen in our area in the past couple of years, considering how many birds are involved.
Marine Mammal Center sees surge in patientsThe Marine Mammal Center is taking in more California sea lions, elephant seals and harbor seals than expected, and officials aren't sure why so many mammals are turning up sick.
The higher numbers reflect a trend that is making center officials take notice. In 2009, the center took in 1,709 animals, which was about three times the average it had seen in the previous five years.
. . . As of Monday, 13 California sea lions, 68 elephant seals and 32 harbor seals were at the Marin Headlands center receiving treatment - twice as many animals as there were last year at this time.
12 Apr 2010
M Prado
Photo credit: F Frost/Marin Independent Journal
>>> Rescue effort to save beached dolphins in Tasmania [Pieman River, Tasmania, Australia - Map It
]>>> 2 gray whales dead on NW Wash. beaches [Location: Deception Pass - Map It
and Samish Island - Map It , Washington, USA]
Reported Wildlife Mortality Events to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center UpdatedUSGS 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 April 12, 2010 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.
13 Apr 2010
Area: United States
OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
- Oil spill reaches important bird rookery [Australia]
- White nose syndrome takes toll on N.H. bats
- Rabid donkey reported in Durham Co. [Location: Durham County, North Carolina, USA - Map It]
- Wyoming wind developers launch bird study program
Huh, That's Interesting!Photo courtesy of the Courier-Post
- Frog tadpoles 'scream' underwater discover scientists [includes video]
- Studying Sea Life for a Glue That Mends People [includes video]
- Lego Artisan Creates Endangered Species for Zoo
It Ain't All Bad News
