TOP STORIES
Dead falcons to be tested for disease
United Press International – www.upi.com
09 Jun 2008
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA – Map It
The bodies of three dead peregrine falcon chicks that had nested atop a downtown Seattle building are to receive special testing.
The falcon chicks died recently and were retrieved to be sent to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. The Falcon Research Group, which monitors the raptors on top of the WaMu building, said the young birds' deaths midway through development were unusual, The Seattle Times reported Monday.
Madhya Pradesh plans wildlife health and forensic centre
Thaindian News – www.thiandian.com
10 Jun 2008
Bhopal, June 10 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh plans to set up a wildlife health and forensic centre in Jabalpur district with the help of the central government. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state wildlife board held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Monday. The meeting also resolved to seek the central government’s approval for the centre involving investment of Rs.37.9 million.
Addressing the meeting, Chouhan emphasised upon making necessary arrangements for protection of tigers in the Panna sanctuary.
Mercury Contamination Found In Stranded Victorian Dolphins
Science Daily – www.sciencedaily.com
11 Jun 2008
Location: Port Phillp Bay (Map It
) and Gippsland Lakes (Map It), Australia Monash University research into heavy metal contaminant levels in dolphins from Port Phillip Bay and the Gippsland Lakes has revealed high mercury levels may be a contributing factor to dolphin deaths.
Researchers from the School of Biological Sciences have confirmed levels of mercury found in the dolphins were within a range considered to cause negative health and mental effects and were higher than mercury levels found in populations around the world.
Supervisory researcher Dr Ross Thompson said the mercury concentrations in 20 live and eight dolphins which died after becoming stranded, collected over the last two years, were measured by Honours student Alissa Monk. Levels in the dead dolphins averaged 3.45 milligrams of mercury per kilogram of tissue compared to 1.32 mg/kg in living dolphins.
H5N1 avian flu: call for wild bird early warning systemFarmers Weekly Interactive – www.fwi.co.uk
10 Jun 2008
Photo Courtesy of Farmers Weekly Interactive
Bernard Matthews Foods has urged the UK government and poultry industry to work together in establishing an early warning system for migratory birds that may carry H5N1 avian flu.
Then armed with this knowledge, free range turkey producers would be able to take measures to avoid contact between wild birds and poultry.
Delivering his Temperton Fellowship Report "Living through avian flu H5N1" at the Farmers Club in London, Bernard Matthews Foods' technical director Jeremy Hall highlighted the trend to free range Christmas turkeys.
"But the government needs to put more support into wild bird testing and monitoring. At the moment, we depend on the good will of the RSPB and BTO for wild bird surveillance."
Other Avian Influenza News
>>> Bird flu outbreak reported in North Korea, South Korean aid group says –Jongpyong, South Hamgyong, North Korea - Map It
USDA Appoints National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee Members
USDA Newsroom – www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom
06 Jun 2008
The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of 20 members, representing a broad array of agricultural, animal welfare and wildlife interests, to serve on the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee (NWSAC). Members will serve their appointments through Feb. 19, 2010.
During their terms, the committee members will provide advice from diverse stakeholders to USDA on the activities and policies of wildlife services, a program within USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The first meeting of the committee will occur this summer.
OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED NEWS
- Tracing air travelers at risk for disease still tough
- Trading wildlife a dangerous business: Law enforcement seeking buyers, sellers
- Ailing 30-foot whale euthanized near Texas coast – Mustang Island, Texas, USA - Map It
- Caribbean Monk Seal Gone for Good
- California sea otter population is slowly growing after facing extinction, but still faces threats
- Second brucellosis case will cost cattle industry millions
- Rabies Cases Doubling in 2008 - St. Mary’s County, Maryland, USA - Map It
- Indianapolis Zoo's Kodiak bear dies
- Officials say fish virus hasn't shown up in state waters — yet
- Mystery of dolphin river deaths [video]
- County's first West Nile of '08 found in bird – Pima County, Arizona, USA - Map It
- Some Shark Populations Collapsing, Study Finds
- Macaque Monkeys Go Fishing [interesting tidbit]
- Wasting Disease Not Found in PA Deer
WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Improved estimates of certainty in stable-isotope-based methods for tracking migratory animals
Ecological Applications. 2008 Mar;18(2):549-59. [free full-text available]
Wunder MB, Norris DR.
Integrative Biology: Science for the 21st Century
BioScience. 2008 Apr; 58(4): 349-353
MH Wake
1 comment:
For a different perspective on the brucellosis issue in Montana, you can read the editorial, The True Cost of Brucellosis, as suggested by a reader. The article can be found at http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/the_true_cost_of_brucellosis/C38/L38/
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