Archive: 2017

Mixed diet for Nijswiller wildcat

At least nine bodies of prey were found in the stomach of the wildcat that was run over in the Dutch town of Nijswiller in February 2017. The animal was in good health and it appears that pure misfortune led to it being run over whilst crossing a country lane. Wildcats have been seen in the Netherlands for a few
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Dead wolf: healthy but days without food

Pathologist Marja Kik (DWHC, Utrecht Veterinary Faculty) reported the initial findings of the post-mortem on the dead wolf: “Interestingly, apart from some tapeworms, the stomach and intestines were completely empty suggesting that the animal had not eaten for around 48 hours.”
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Ranavirus in the province of South-Holland

Ranavirus has been detected in the province of South-Holland in both water frog larva and salamanders. The animals were were found at two different locations, one located in the far east, in the triangle of the provinces of South Holland – Utrecht – Gelderland, the other location being in the middle of
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Brain tumour caused odd behaviour in a beaver

On the 26th October 2016 a disorientated beaver (Castor fiber) that was walking in circles was picked up by the wildlife sanctuary Faunavisie Wildcare in the north of the Netherlands. It was originally thought that the animal had been hit by a car as it was found in the ditch by the side of a busy road. However,
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Usutu virus: Rise in number of dead blackbirds being reported

In the wake of the 2016 Usutu virus outbreak, surveillance of live and dead blackbird numbers in April of 2017 revealed that the virus is once again active in the Netherlands.This was paralleled by a slight increase in the number of dead blackbirds reported to the DWHC compared to the preceding weeks. According to
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Questions and answers: Usutu virus

What is it? The Usutu virus originated in Africa and is named after the Usutu river in Swaziland. It can cause disease in birds and is transmitted by midges. The virus rarely causes disease in humans.
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Weasel and stoat: Interim report DWHC focus species 2017

In the first half of 2017 six weasels were submitted to the DWHC for post-mortem exam. All six animals died of trauma. Skin perforations suggestive of predation were seen in three cases, two of which also had pneumonia. It is possible that this illness had weakened the weasels thereby making them more vulnerable
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