All articles tagged with #wildlife health
Authorities in Thailand are investigating the sudden deaths of 72 tigers across two Tiger Kingdom sites in Chiang Mai. Tests detected canine distemper virus; no human infections have been reported, and the parks have been closed for two weeks while samples are collected and containment is assessed. Wildlife groups warn about the risks of captive wildlife, with euthanasia advised for gravely ill animals.
The H5N1 avian influenza has become endemic in wild waterfowl, and cold conditions help the virus persist on ice. Public rescue of apparently stranded birds can be counterproductive, as birds may be suffering from infection or stress rather than distress that rescue would fix. Officials urge distancing, reporting dead or ill birds to authorities, and avoiding feeding to prevent crowding that amplifies transmission. The situation has broader implications for poultry losses and surveillance, underscoring that rescuing a single bird can complicate public health and wildlife monitoring.
Hundreds of snow geese found dead at a Northampton County quarry are suspected to have died from bird flu, with authorities testing and removing the carcasses. The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has affected waterfowl across the U.S., with the public advised to report sick or dead birds and take precautions to prevent spread. The CDC considers the human health risk low, but recommends safety measures for hunters and pet owners.
Wild pigs in California have been found with neon blue flesh due to rodenticide poisoning from diphacinone, raising concerns about contamination and wildlife health, with warnings issued for hunters and the public.
Florida has detected its second case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a deer near the Georgia border, prompting a disease response plan. CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting deer and related species, with no known cure or vaccine, and is being addressed through federal research funding. The disease has garnered public attention and misinformation, with some confusing it with harmless skin growths called fibromas, often called 'zombie deer'.
Georgia officials are urging hunters in Lanier, Berrien, and Lowndes counties to test harvested deer for chronic wasting disease, which has been detected in the state, to monitor and manage the disease's spread, despite no current evidence of transmission to humans.
Researchers have developed a new blood test to detect the brainworm Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in live moose and other wildlife, aiding in tracking and managing the spread of this deadly parasite that affects herbivores like moose and elk across North America.
Michigan has reported its first four cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in deer for 2025, affecting deer in four counties. The disease, transmitted by biting midges, is usually localized and not contagious between deer or to humans, and infected animals can still be safely hunted and eaten. The DNR encourages reporting sick or dead deer and notes that symptoms include lethargy, disorientation, and bleeding.
People in Canada and the U.S. are seeing 'zombie' squirrels with tumors caused by the squirrel fibroma virus (SFV), a benign poxvirus that mainly affects squirrels and rabbits. The virus, spread by insects and contact, causes skin fibromas but generally doesn't harm the squirrel population or pose a threat to humans, and infected squirrels are safe to eat. The appearance of these infected squirrels has led to concerns, but the disease is typically self-limiting.
Cottontail rabbits in Colorado are developing horn-like warts caused by papillomavirus, likely spread by ticks, amid an unusually active tick season. The growths are generally harmless but could affect the rabbits' ability to eat, and the virus does not pose a risk to humans or pets.
Residents in Fort Collins, Colorado, have observed rabbits with unusual tentacle-like growths caused by a non-contagious virus called rabbit papillomavirus, which resembles warts and poses no threat to humans or other animals.
A hunter in Colorado discovered an elk with bizarrely deformed hooves, raising concerns about potential disease. The deformations may be due to nutritional deficiencies or a hoof disease similar to one spreading in Washington state, known as treponema-associated hoof disease (TAHD). Despite the unusual hooves, experts assure that the meat is safe to eat, and there is no immediate concern of an outbreak in Colorado.
An Asian elephant at Houston Zoo has received the first mRNA vaccine against the deadly elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), which is a leading cause of death among young Asian elephants in captivity. Developed by Dr. Paul Ling at Baylor College of Medicine, the vaccine aims to boost immunity in young elephants, similar to how Covid-19 vaccines work in humans. The trial vaccine was administered to Tess, a 40-year-old elephant, following a series of juvenile deaths in zoos worldwide. Researchers are monitoring Tess's health and plan to vaccinate more elephants if no side effects are observed.
Avian influenza, which has caused the deaths of millions of domesticated birds, is now wreaking havoc on seals and sea lions worldwide, with tens of thousands of these marine mammals dying in various locations. The virus, likely contracted from infected seabirds, is disrupting ecosystems and causing concern among scientists about its potential impact on other vulnerable animal species. Some experts suggest a possible link between the outbreaks and warming oceans due to climate change.
Two white-tailed deer at Antietam and Monocacy national battlefields in Maryland have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), also known as "zombie deer disease," marking the first cases detected at national parks in the state. CWD is a highly contagious and fatal brain disease that affects deer, elk, reindeer, and moose, and while there have been no reported CWD infections in humans, some studies have suggested a potential risk. Officials recommend not consuming meat from animals infected with or suspected of being infected with CWD, and so far, no treatments or vaccines have been discovered for the disease.