Wildlife Disease News Digest

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Whale carcass attracts crowd

East Sooke Park was crowded as people flocked to see the massive body washed ashore

Whale watchers didn't have to look very far Sunday, as dozens flocked to East Sooke Park to see the grey whale that washed ashore sometime this weekend.

...Russ Nicks, head guide for Sooke Coastal Explorations Whale Watching, said that when he saw the whale Sunday morning, it looked "fresh," as though it had washed up in the previous 24 hours. The whale, not fully grown but an adult, had blood dripping from one of its fins, Nicks said, which appeared to have been bitten or scraped.

...He said it's quite rare for a whale to wash ashore and wasn't surprised that it attracted throngs of people.

Canada.com - www.canada.com (source: Canwest News Service)
06 Apr 2010
Location: British Columbia, Canada - Map It

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Other Marine Mammal News

Gray whale's body found near Oakland Bay [Washington, USA - Map It

]
Madagascar's Radiated Tortoise Threatened With Extinction
Groups worry that sea otters will take a hit during salmon season
Turtles killed 'in millions' by fishing gear

Toxoplasma Gondii Spreads in the Habitat of the Iberian Lynx

An international team led by researchers from the University of Cordoba (UCO) has analysed seroprevalence (antibodies to a disease) of Toxoplasma Gondii, the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in many species, including humans. This latest study reveals that the parasite is widespread in areas where the wild Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) lives, and also in captive breeding centres. Scientists are now undertaking further research into the disease itself.

Wild felids are important for maintaining the sylvatic cycle of Toxoplasma gondii, but there is little information about the epidemiology and risk factors associated with infection in most of these animals. This is the case of the Iberian Lynx, the most endangered felid species in the world and the most endangered carnivore in Europe. While no cases of clinical toxoplasmosis have been reported in the Iberian Lynx, mortality associated to Toxoplasma gondii infection has been recorded in bobcats (Lynx rufus).

Science Daily - www.sciencedaily.com
06 Apr 2010
Photo courtesy of Science Daily

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Cited Journal Article

Factors affecting seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Veterinary Parasitology, 2010; 167 (1): 36

Missouri Chronic Wasting Disease Testing Shows No Cases in Free-ranging Deer

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently completed testing for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) on a sample of free-ranging white-tailed deer from areas of Linn, Macon and Chariton Counties. Test results showed no cases of CWD.

... CWD has been found in 17 states including Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Missouri was recently added to the list after the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) reported the state’s first and only known case of CWD in late February. It came from a captive whitetail buck at a private hunting ranch in Linn County.

Info Zine - www.infozine.com
05 Apr 2010
J Jerek

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Bird disease found in imported pigeons [Newcastle disease]

The detection of a highly infectious bird disease in imported pigeons underlines the need for good quarantine systems, says the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).

AVA president Dr Mark lawrie says the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service has confirmed that some imported pigeons at a Victorian quarantine facility have been found to have pathogenic Newcastle disease.

Sydney Morning Herald - news.smh.com.au
03 Apr 2010

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OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS