Animal Health
Fears grow as animal disease spreads in S.Korea
(AFP) — South Korea stepped up major quarantine efforts Monday as a highly contagious animal disease threatened the centre of its livestock industry. The agriculture ministry said more roadblocks and quarantine posts were set up after the foot-and-mouth outbreak hit a state livestock research institute at Cheongyang, 160 kilometres (96 miles) south of Seoul,... »
Potentially deadly fungus spreading in US, Canada
(REUTERS) — /SNIP/ The spore-forming fungus can cause symptoms in people and animals two weeks or more after exposure. They include a cough that lasts for weeks, sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, headache, fever, nighttime sweats and weight loss. It has also turned up in cats, dogs, an alpaca and a sheep. via... »
Felon accused of running animal-sex farm
(SEATTLE TIMES) — A Whatcom County man’s friendship and aggressive support for a man convicted in the infamous Enumclaw horse-sex case led to his arrest this week for allegedly operating a bestiality farm just south of the Canadian border, federal prosecutors said Friday. via Local News | Felon accused of running animal-sex farm in... »
‘Oriental yeti’ discovered in China
(TELEGRAPH) – A creature dubbed the 'oriental yeti' is being examined by scientists after emerging from ancient woodlands in remote central China. via Telegraph. »
Giant Spider Species Discovered in Middle Eastern Sand Dunes
(Wired Science) – Scientists have unearthed a completely new species of spider hiding in sand dunes on the Israel-Jordan border. With a legspan that stretches 5.5 inches, the spider, called Cerbalus aravensis, is the biggest of its type in the Middle East. “It is rare to find a new species of spider — at... »
Genome reveals panda’s carnivorous side : Nature News
(Nature.com) – The complete genetic sequence of the giant panda has revealed that the iconic Chinese bear has all the genes required to digest meat — but not its staple food, bamboo. via Genome reveals panda’s carnivorous side : Nature News. »
Thousands of starfish carpet Norfolk beach as storm throws them from the sea
(Mail Online) – More than 10,000 were left high and dry on the sands after choppy seas washed them from their feeding grounds. And unfortunately, nearly all perished, unable to get back to the safety of the water. The graveyard of orange and pink extends more than a quarter of a mile along the... »
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! The Jungle Book predators who have forged a lifelong friendship
(Mail Online) – They make an unlikely trio, but Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger have forged an unusually strong bond. Considering that they would be mortal enemies if they ever were to meet in the wild, it is stunning to see their unique and genuine friendship in these... »
Monsanto steps back on two GMOs. Why?
(GREENPLANET.NET) Nov. 16, 2009 — Monsanto has abandoned its ambitious plans for two types of a so-called “second generation GM crop” rather than accede to a request from European regulators for additional research and safety data. /SNIP/ Scientists who have followed these two applications are quite convinced that the “decisions to withdraw” have nothing... »
Oregon cat first in U.S. to die from H1N1 swine flu
One week, Rhonda Rebmann's niece had the flu. The next, her 10-year-old tabby cat started showing respiratory symptoms. Buddy Lou died four days after she brought the cat to the family's veterinarian, the first feline H1N1 death in the United States. »
Coughing Swine in Northern Ireland Prompt Search for Flu Source
(Bloomberg) — Coughing hogs at a 5,000-head piggery in Northern Island are being investigated to determine how they became the latest animal victims of swine flu. The pandemic H1N1 influenza strain infected about 4,500 hogs at the piggery in Greenhill, U.K. veterinary officials said in a report to the World Organization for Animal Health... »
The Associated Press: Australia considers mass killings of camels
By KRISTEN GELINEAU (AP) SYDNEY — Thousands of camels in Australia’s remote Outback could be killed by marksmen in helicopters under a government proposal aimed at cutting down the population of the havoc-wreaking creatures. First introduced into Australia in the 1840s to help explorers travel through the Australian desert, there are now about 1... »
Report: DHS failed to consider risks in choosing NBAF site
WASHINGTON — The government’s study of the risks of moving foot-and-mouth disease research from an island off New York to Kansas failed to adequately track the potential spread of the virus and its economic impact if accidentally released, congressional investigators said in a draft report. via Report questions choice of Kansas site for lab... »
Authorities Exhume Bodies of 3 Children who Died in Veracruz near American Pig Farm
Marker shows La Gloria, Veracruz – Courtesy Google Maps By SHARON K. GILBERT April 28, 2009 YOU’RE NOT hearing this on cable news. While most claim patient zero died in a hospital in Oaxaca, mounting evidence points to Veracruz, particularly to the farm town of La Gloria, where residents began falling ill as early... »
Derek and Sharon hope to see you in Canton, Ohio in October!
