August 22, 2011

Today's Wildlife Disease News Stories

TOP STORIES

Wildlife officials probe deaths of dozens of deer

Montana wildlife officials say dozens of white-tailed deer have been found dead or dying in northeastern Montana’s Milk River Valley and surrounding areas since the beginning of August.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say they don’t know what’s caused the deaths, but they suspect it may be epi-zootic hemorrhagic disease.

The disease, which affects white-tailed deer, is marked by hemorrhaging, fever, and an urge to be near fresh water to cool down.

FWP spokesman Ron Selden says samples sent to a state lab to determine the cause of the deaths won’t be returned until next week.

Great Falls Tribune - www.greatfallstribune.com
17 Aug 2011
Location: Milk River Valley, Montana, USA - Map It


Bird disease spreads to Hertford

A bird disease has spread to Hertford in what is believed to be the first case of its kind in Hertfordshire. Resident and birdwatcher Carol Howard, of Port Vale, came across a dead bird that she thought had suffered from avian pox, which leads to tumour-like growths on the victims and can affect the ability to feed and move around, and took it to London Zoo to be tested.

She said: “The post-mortem came back and it was definitely the virus. It had a big pink growth on it, the same colour as a pink Smartie. My neighbour’s cat brought it to me. It must have died in the neighbour’s garden and the cat found it. At the zoo, they said it was rare to get a fresh specimen.”

The disease has been recorded in various species of birds over the years. It is particularly bad for great tits, who develop the most severe symptoms that make it hard for them to eat and more vulnerable to predators.

… Teams at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and University of Oxford are analysing the DNA of birds found with the virus to see if the strain in the UK is the same as that abroad.

Hertfordshire Mercury - www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk
15 Aug 2011
S Black
Location: Hertford, England -
Map It


[Sea lion rescued on the beach north coast of São Paolo]
(Translation disclaimer)

A baby sea lion appeared on Monday (15) Camburizinho the beach in San Sebastian on the north coast of Sao Paulo. According to the county Civil Defense, the animal was seen by tourists on the last weekend and was found exhausted on the beach.

With 1.20 m long, the mammal had no injuries and was taken to the Ubatuba Aquarium, which will be monitored by veterinarians. The animal lives in regions of low temperatures in South America.

G1 - g1.globo.com
16 Aug 2011
Location: São Paolo, Brazil - Map It


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