Wildlife Disease News Digest

TOP STORIES

A virus amongst the penguins
Science Alert - www.sciencealert.com.au
04 May 2009
G Miller, R Mundy and G Shellam
Photo credit: Gary Miller
Area: Antarctica

Despite its perceived isolation, Antarctica has been invaded by many non-native species, including pathogens. It is not surprising that wildlife in Antarctica could acquire parasites and diseases, but recent evidence of a common poultry virus in emperor penguins has captured scientific interest. Dr Gary Miller and his colleagues have been investigating the origin, spread and nature of the virus in emperor penguins at Auster Rookery.

Diseases and parasites have been detected in Antarctic wildlife populations for as long as scientists have observed and collected samples from them.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Landmark USGS study: How methylmercury originates in the ocean
EurekAlert - www.eurekalert.org
01 May 2009
Area: United States

A new landmark study published today documents for the first time the process in which increased mercury emissions from human sources across the globe, and in particular from Asia, make their way into the North Pacific Ocean and as a result contaminate tuna and other seafood. Because much of the mercury that enters the North Pacific comes from the atmosphere, scientists have predicted an additional 50 percent increase in mercury in the Pacific by 2050 if mercury emission rates continue as projected.

"This unprecedented USGS study is critically important to the health and safety of the American people and our wildlife because it helps us understand the relationship between atmospheric emissions of mercury and concentrations of mercury in marine fish," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "We have always known that mercury can pose a risk, now we need to reduce the mercury emissions so that we can reduce the ocean mercury levels."

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Toxic Algae Bloom To Blame For Stranded Sea Life
CBS2.com - cbs2.com
01 May 2009
Photo credit: CBS4
Area: California, United States - Map It

A toxic algae bloom is causing an increased number of sea lions and dolphins to get sick and become stranded on Southland beaches, authorities said today.

"In the past weeks, approximately 20 marine mammals have been rescued ... that are suspected to be suffering from the toxin," said Peter Wallerstein of Marine Animal Rescue.

"Many of the sea lions are currently being treated at various local marine mammal rehabilitation facilities," he said.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Texas wind farm pioneers radar technology to protect migrating birds
Guardian - www.guardian.co.uk
01 May 2009
S Goldenberg
Phot credit: David Tipling/Getty Images
Area: United States

It could be considered an air traffic control system for birds who have flown perilously off course. A wind farm in southern Texas, situated on a flight path used by millions of birds each autumn and spring, is pioneering the use of radar technology to avoid deadly collisions between a 2,500lb rotating blade and bird.

US wind farms kill about 7,000 birds a year, according to a recent study. Other studies of individual wind farms suggest a higher toll on bats and birds, who crash into towers, blades, power lines and other installations. Estimates from a single wind farm in Altamont, California showed as many as 1,300 birds of prey killed each year – or about three a day.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Zoos help track spread of pandemics
Nature News - www.nature.com
04 May 2009
M Kaplan
Photo credit: Photodisc / Punchstock
Area: United States

Zoos are being drafted by the US government to track the spread of avian influenza this spring. But there seem to be no plans yet to use the zoo network to track the swine flu virus — even though some experts believe it could easily do the job.

With state-of-the-art veterinary labs and expert staff available to look after all kinds of animal species, zoos are well placed to track diseases that move quickly among animal populations.

Zoos carefully monitor every animal in their collection for disease. Visitors who come to watch the lions and seals may not be aware of it, but many zoos even analyse the lowly squirrels and street pigeons that die on their grounds or are eaten by their residents.

>>>FULL ARTICLE

Related News
>>>The Age of Pandemics
>>>Bird flu and SARS out there, looking for right host: expert.

OTHER WILDLIFE HEALTH RELATED STORIES
Photo credit: BBC News