#Wave wildlife masse drivers#
The modeled influence of environmental covariates is consistent with known drivers of hemorrhagic septicemia. Statistical modeling suggests that there was unusually high relative humidity and temperature in the days leading up to the mortality event temperature and humidity anomalies were also observed in two previous similar events in the same region. The proximate cause of death is confirmed as hemorrhagic septicemia caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida type B, based on multiple strands of evidence. In 2015, more than 200,000 saiga antelopes died in 3 weeks in central Kazakhstan. Largely based on these recent findings, important future lines of research are recommended to assess which mammalian species are commonly exposed to WNV, which mammal species develop viremias sufficient for infecting mosquitoes, and which mammal species might be negatively affected by WNV infection at the species or population level. Regrettably, few recent challenge studies have been conducted on wild mammals, which would provide key information as to their potential role(s) in WNV cycles. Furthermore, new instances of WNV viremia as well as severe disease presumably caused by this virus have been reported in wild mammals (e.g., the Virginia opossum ) from natural and semi-captive (e.g., zoological institution) settings.
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![wave wildlife masse wave wildlife masse](http://awpc.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ringtail-dead-on-Capel-Sound-Foreshore-Pic-R.-Nevinson.jpg)
Of interest, new species, such as Hoffman’s two-toed sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni), are now included in the growing list of wild mammals that have been naturally exposed to WNV.
#Wave wildlife masse update#
Herein, we provide an update on WNV activity in wild and select other mammals that have been reported since the last major review article on this subject was published in early 2013. Indeed, a previous review tabulated evidence of WNV exposure in at least 100 mammalian species. For this reason, it is essential that the cause of the current die-off is identified as it is the only way to prevent similar losses of susceptible elephants elsewhere.Īlthough West Nile virus (WNV) is generally thought to circulate among mosquitoes and birds, several historic and recent works providing evidence of WNV activity in wild mammals have been published. Whilst it may be argued that these mortalities are unlikely to negatively impact the broader elephant population of ∼130 000 individuals in Botswana, the same cannot be said of the many vulnerable population pockets in other parts of Africa. In particular, we consider viral and bacterial agents that could precipitate species-specific mortalities on this scale, potential environmental sources of poisoning and the samples and tests that would assist in excluding/ confirming these candidate causes.
![wave wildlife masse wave wildlife masse](https://awpc.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Debbie-Molenkamp-Ringtail-drinking-St-Andrews.jpg)
In the absence of a confirmed cause we sought to identify the lines of enquiry that are most likely to lead to a definitive answer. Although the area in which these mortalities occurred is not protected and is considered a hotspot for human–elephant conflict and poaching, both malicious poisoning and poaching are unlikely to have played a role as other species were not affected, and elephant carcasses were found with tusks intact. Reports of a mass die-off of ∼350 elephants (Loxodonta africana) in northern Botswana over a period of two months (May–June 2020), has fuelled speculation and concern regarding the cause.