TOP STORIES
Managing Chronic Wasting Disease
The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, has confirmed that a deer harvested by a hunter in November 2010 near Pine Island in southeastern Minnesota had Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is fatal to deer, elk and moose but not known to affect humans or cattle.
The diagnosis, which was confirmed Jan. 25, marks the first time CWD has been found in Minnesota's wild deer herd.
The disease is a serious concern, not only because of the obvious harmful effects on cervid health, but also due to the negative impacts to landowners, hunters and businesses.
Minnesota DNR - www.dnr.state.mn.us
Oriental Magpie Robin tested positive for H5 virus
Preliminary testing of a dead Oriental Magpie Robin found in Yuen Long has tested positive for H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 19), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.
The bird's carcass was found and collected on January 17 near a refuse collection point at Fairview Park, Yuen Long. The Oriental Magpie Robin is a common resident bird in Hong Kong.
The AFCD has reminded the property management company to step up cleansing and disinfection.
Hong Kong AFCD - www.afcd.gov.hk
Mercury in Bay Area Fish a Legacy of California Mining
Mercury contamination, a worldwide environmental problem, has been called "public enemy No. 1" in California's San Francisco Bay.
Mercury mining and gold recovery in the mid-1800s to late 1900s, combined with present day oil refineries, chemical manufacturing plants and wastewater treatment plants have contributed enough mercury to threaten wildlife and prompt a fish consumption advisory in the Bay Area.
With so many possible sources of contamination, environmental scientists and regulatory agencies would like to know which specific sources contribute most to harmful levels of mercury in the aquatic food web.
Science Daily - www.sciencedaily.com
26 Jan 2011
OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
Photo credit: National Geographic News
- A Simple Concrete Bridge That Could Save America's Wildlife
- A theory takes wing: Bird feeders not always beneficial
- Polar Bear Swims for Nine Days, Pays Heavy Price
- Orangutans share 97% of genes with humans
- New Hybrid Whale Discovered in Arctic
- Ecuador Wants to Save The Unique Galapagos Islands, a Local Exterminator Rats
Extinction
It Ain't All Bad News
