January 8, 2013

Today's Wildlife Disease News Stories

TOP STORIES

Deadly fungus found in bat that inhabits Perry County caves

A disease that has caused the loss of millions of North American bats recently was found in a bat that lives in a Perry County cave.

The Missouri Department of Conservation confirmed in December that a big brown bat had tested positive for White Nose Syndrome, a disease that plays havoc with a bat's internal system during hibernation.

Anthony Elliott, bat biologist for the department, said a survey of live bats was conducted in Perry County to determine the presence of a fungus that causes the syndrome.

Southeast Missourian - www.semissourian.com
02 Jan 2013
K Lewis
Location: Perry Co., Missouri, USA - Map It


More White-nose Syndrome News


Canmore elk struck by mystery paralysis

A mysterious illness has struck two large bull elk in Canmore, leaving their hind legs paralyzed and wildlife officials baffled.

“I’ve never seen it before. This is new. I don’t think a disease would hit that quick. They were fine a week ago,” said Fish and Wildlife officer Dave Dickson.

One of the elk had to be euthanized Monday after it was found lying on the ground behind an unfinished mansion and the Silvertip Golf Course.

Dickson is asking for assistance from the public, saying that while the cause is unknown, it’s possible the elk ingested a toxic substance because there are no other signs of trauma and the two sick animals often graze together.

Calgary Herald - www.calgaryherald.com
02 Jan 2012
J Brisbane
Location: Canmore, Alberta, Canada - Map It



No cause yet in bird deaths

Poisoning, disease not suspected; witness saw car drive into flock

The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency is still trying to determine what caused dozens of birds to die along Boyd’s Creek Highway Sunday afternoon, . . . . The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office started getting calls at about 1:15 p.m. about the bodies of birds lying in one lane of the highway. Bodies of the birds, which appeared to be starlings, lined the road and the area alongside it.

TWRA wildlife agent David Sexton said Monday he went to the scene Sunday afternoon and collected several bodies to send for examination and to try to determine the cause of death.

“There were a lot of dead birds under a power line,” he said. Knoxville Utility Board provides power in the area, but Sexton said officials there had no evidence there had been a power surge or any other activity in that area at the time of the event.

There were no signs of physical trauma on the birds other than those that appeared to have been struck by cars after falling, he said, and he said he didn’t believe the deaths were caused by disease or poisoning because so many of them died at one time.

The Mountain Press - www.themountainpress.com
31 Dec 2012
J Farrell
Location: Seymour, Tennessee, USA - Map It    



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