Wildlife Health Workshops - Euthanasia & Safe Handling
With an emphasis on animal handling and euthanasia, this summer's WHP Wildlife Health Region Workshops involved a mix of lectures on staff safety with PPE, CWD and emerging diseases, and an introduction to new equipment when euthanasia is part of the outcome.
Dr. Jenny Bloodgood led a hands-on demonstration on euthanasia, utilizing different tools designed for quick and humane dispatch when required. DEC staff were able to practice appropriate euthanasia procedures on various bird carcasses across devices.
Kevin Hynes demonstrated appropriate handling practices when staff encounter a live animal, including catchpole techniques, containment, and CO2 chamber use. Participants also received step-by-step guidance on staying safe in the field and minimizing animal stress.
Under the Scope
Sky High Rodenticide
In mid-April, a member of the public in Monroe County reported a red fox that was unable to stand appropriately. Animal Control and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator met and captured the fox. It died on the way to the rehabilitation facility. DEC accepted the fox and sent it to CWHL for necropsy and additional diagnostics.
On necropsy, the adult male fox was in excellent body condition and did not display any signs of trauma. Mucous membranes were pale, and there were areas of unclotted blood in the abdominal and pleural cavities. Testing for rabies and avian influenza (both causes of neurologic issues in foxes) were negative.
Testing for anticoagulant rodenticides returned both trace amounts of Brodifacoum, and extraordinary amounts of Bromadiolone (1.56 ppm). The cause of death was exsanguination, secondary to the anticoagulant rodenticide. Lethal dose in canines is 2.38+ ppm (parts per million).
Program happenings in the field and in the lab
Latest Presentations
North American Moose Conference
- Brenda Hanley "Surveillance optimization project for chronic wasting disease (SOP4CWD)"
- Jen Grauer "Habitat-associated risk of endoparasitism and survival in New York moose"
Native American Fish & Wildlife Society Conference
- NYS Wildlife Health Program booth -Jennifer, Melissa & Therese
- Brenda Hanley "Surveillance optimization project for chronic wasting disease (SOP4CWD)"
Training Events & Outreach
Camp DEC with Therese McNamee
- Wildlife Health Program Intro
ECO Academy with Kevin Hynes
- Training on Wildlife Disease, PPE, & Forensic Training
Forest Ranger Academy with Therese McNamee
- Sessions on Wildlife DIseases & PPE
More News
Research Projects
- Uncovering the Origin of CWD in a New York Red Deer Herd
- Herpesvirus in Diamondback Terrapins-Update
- Range-wide Standardization of Moose Health Information
Articles
New Additions
- Data Engineer-Hunter Kindlin
Disease stats
252 total submissions
12 Rabies tests - 2 positive
80 HPAI tests - 6 positive
34 Bird species across 159 submissions *82 of all bird submission were raptors
9 Herp species across 19 submissions
20 Mammal species across 73 submissions
