West Nile ruled out in ravens and crows near Dawson Creek

Earth Watch Report  -  Biological Hazards - Mass Animal Deaths

.....

Mystery of paralyzed birds deepens

CBC News

Posted: Aug 12, 2013 10:17 AM PT

Last Updated: Aug 12, 2013 11:23 AM PT

Related Stories

West Nile, avian flu ruled out in Winnipeg bird deaths

The mystery surrounding dozens of paralyzed birds that were discovered in B.C.'s northeast has deepened after veterinarians ruled out West Nile virus but found wing and leg fractures.
Last month, dozens of paralyzed ravens and crows were dropped off at a Dawson Creek rehabilitation clinic, sparking concerns about West Nile, which can also affect humans.
Despite efforts to save them, all 30 birds eventually died.

• Raven paralysis probed in B.C.'s Peace Region

Veterinarians have now ruled out West Nile, saying no viruses of any kind were found in the eight or so birds sent for a necropsy.
But the young birds showed wing and leg fractures, they said.


Read More Here


******************************************************************

Raven paralysis probed in B.C.'s Peace Region

'They almost looked like they were mummified,' says wildlife caretaker

CBC News

Posted: Jul 17, 2013 5:37 AM PT

Last Updated: Jul 17, 2013 8:28 AM PT

 

More than 30 paralyzed ravens have been dropped off at Leona Green's wildlife rehabilitaton centre since May. (David Iliff, License CC-BY-SA 3.0)

Paralyzed ravens a big mystery in B.C. Peace region7:30

 

A wildlife caretaker is trying to figure out what's paralyzing ravens in B.C.'s Peace Region.
Leona Green says more than 30 paralyzed ravens have been dropped off at her wildlife rehabilitation centre near Dawson Creek since May.
Green says she has never seen anything like it in her 30 years of working with animals.
"Their legs were paralyzed, and then they actually atrophied. They almost looked like they were mummified," she said.
Despite Green's efforts to rehabilitate the birds, they all died.
"Then this kind of mushroomed. I kept hearing more and more about it, and more dead birds," she said. "What's upsetting about it is the fact that we don't know what it is. Is it going to affect other birds, or even animals? We don't know."
Green says she has sent the bird carcasses to a lab in Abbotsford in the hopes of solving the mystery.
The province's Fish and Wildlife Branch would not comment on the deaths until the tests are completed, but a spokesperson said they don't believe there is a risk to human health.

******************************************************************

Related articles

• Mystery of paralyzed birds deepens
• Canada: Mystery of paralyzed birds deepens
• Authorities puzzled by paralyzed birds in B.C.'s north.
• Mystery paralysis leaves B.C. crows and ravens sitting on the ground with wings intact - but unable to fly
• Crows in Sauk County test positive for West Nile
• Biological Hazard - Canada, Province of Manitoba, Winnipeg : Mass. Die-off (birds - common grackles)
• Paralysis killing ravens and crows in B.C. Canada