Researchers say coyote tapeworm transferable to pets, humans

Posted by Wayne G.Barber

Recent studies have found an increased presence of a tapeworm infecting coyotes, foxes, and rodents across the Canadian province of Alberta.

The research was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.Led by the University of Calgary's faculty of veterinary medicine, the findings state that a parasitic tapeworm called Echinococcus multilocularis is now prevalent in Western Canada, including in urban off-leash dog parks in Calgary.

The tapeworm was first recorded in the area in 2012, and has long since been common in Europe. The tapeworms have also been present in wildlife found in Ontario, with the latest research suggesting the parasite has been present in the region for decades - now well established.

Echinococcus multilocularis is spread through the feces of coyotes and foxes that have eaten infected rodents such as mice and rats. Tapeworm eggs can be passed through their feces, which poses a risk to other animals that come into contact with it - including humans.

Domestic pets such as dogs and cats can....

poses a risk to other animals that come into contact with it - including humans.

Domestic pets such as dogs and cats can contract the parasite through contact with coyote feces or by also eating infected rodents. The worm can then be passed on to people via fruit, the handling of contaminated soil or through an infected pet’s fur.

The first human case of alveolar echinococcosis (AE), which is a “tumour-like disease” caused by the tapeworm was diagnosed in 2013. It develops slowly over several years and causes multiplying lesions in the body - usually in the liver. It can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated.

Since 2016, six people in Alberta have been diagnosed with the disease, according to local media.

U of C veterinarian Claudia Klein told local media sources the parasite is typically not harmful to canids, but can be up to 90% fatal if undiagnosed in humans.

While experts say there’s no real need to panic, and symptoms may take years to discover, it is advised that anyone who handles wild animals in the area should get tested for the presence of antibodies - especially hunters/trappers who handle these animals.

Vermont: Peregrine Falcon Nesting Season Complete

Posted by Wayne G.Barber

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Hikers and rock climbers can return to Vermont cliffs starting August 1 now that peregrine falcon nesting season has ended. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department has confirmed that all the young falcons have learned to fly and will not be disturbed by human presence on the cliffs.

“The young peregrines have fledged, and nesting data suggest Vermont falcons had a successful year. A final report will be issued later this year,” said Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s bird biologist Doug Morin. “The falcon’s nesting success is due in large part to the hikers and rock climbers who observe a respectful distance from nesting falcons during this critical period. The nesting success of Vermont’s peregrines would not be possible without the more than 50 volunteers who monitor the nest sites statewide from March to the end of July.”

According to Audubon biologist Margaret Fowle, who coordinates the monitoring effort on behalf of the Fish & Wildlife Department, biologists and volunteers monitored peregrine pairs that occupied at least 55 Vermont cliffs in early spring and summer.

“We greatly appreciate the time and effort volunteers put into monitoring the population this year, and we thank landowners and recreationists for their cooperation in protecting nesting peregrines from human disturbance,” said Fowle.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife and Audubon Vermont partner to monitor and protect peregrine nesting sites in Vermont. Peregrine falcons were removed from the state’s Threatened and Endangered Species List in 2005. Ongoing cooperation from recreationists and continued monitoring efforts by Vermont Fish & Wildlife and Audubon Vermont will help ensure the peregrine’s remarkable recovery in future years. Source: Outdoor Wire

Hunters Donate Meat for 714,000 Meals to the Hungry

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) venison donation ministry distributed 714,000 servings of nutritious meat to local food banks and ministries to help feed needy children, families and individuals over the past year.

Donations included over 89 tons of deer, elk and livestock from generous hunters and farmers bringing the total number of meat servings donated, processed and distributed through the organization to 20.2 million since 1997.

“We are so thankful that the Lord has used this ministry to enable hunters and farmers to provide meat for over 20 million meals to their hungry neighbors,” said FHFH Executive Director Josh Wilson. “And we are grateful for the local butcher shops, financial supporters and volunteers across the country who make this program possible.”

Financial support and grant funding from individuals, businesses, churches, other organizations and foundations enable FHFH to pay participating local butcher shops a discounted rate to process and package donated deer and livestock. The meat is then distributed to local food banks, feeding programs and ministries at no cost to help feed the needy of their communities.

Inspired by a passion for the outdoors and compassion for the needy, FHFH is committed to addressing the problem of hunger across America. With volunteers and participating local butcher shops serving in over 20 states, FHFH enables hunters and farmers to provide protein-rich meat to local feeding programs and ministries in a unique and relevant way.

The organization welcomes new financial supporters and volunteers to join the cause. Those interested in learning more can visit www.fhfh.org, call toll-free 866-438-3434, or email staff@fhfh.org    Contact Josh Wilson - 301-739-3000 / josh@fhfh.org

NWTF Applauds Legislation to Increase Hunting and Shooting Participation

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

NWTF applauds introduction of legislation to increase participation in hunting and shooting sports

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation is pleased with the recent introduction of S.B. 2092, the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act by senators Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; John Boozman, R-Ark.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Deb Fischer, R-Neb.; Martin Heinrich, D-N.M.; Doug Jones, D-Ala.; Angus King, I-Maine; Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.; and James Risch, R-Idaho.

The Senate’s legislation mirrors H.R. 877 — Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs Act, legislation introduced in the House earlier this year by Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga.

The bipartisan bill is an important piece of legislation regarding the NWTF’s R3 objective—Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation. The bill will allow state agencies to appropriate leftover conservation funds for marketing, community outreach programs, recreation and various other forms of public relations, aiming to increase interest in hunting and sport shooting.

“Participation in hunting and shooting sports helps to provide critical conservation funding to state fish and wildlife agencies,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “Under this legislation, state agencies will have the increased ability to attract and retain new hunters and recreational shooters ensuring funding for conservation into the future.”

The NWTF will continue to work with members of congress to move the bill toward approval. With the number of active hunters and recreational shooters on the decline, this legislation is crucial to our nation’s hunting heritage.

Barnstable County Commissioners Get Details on Shark System Proposal

Barnstable County Commissioners Get Details on Shark System Proposal

BARNSTABLE – Representatives from Acoustic Technology Systems of Boston Inc. (ATI) made a presentation to Barnstable County Commissioners on Wednesday, detailing technology that could help save lives in the event of a shark sighting in the waters.

Sales Manager Robert McLaughlin proposed the use of its high-powered speakers with sirens and voice capability along Outer Cape beaches that could be heard up to two miles away.

The speakers would have to be activated by someone once a shark is spotted, then once activated, the sirens would go off, followed by a voice message that says ““Evacuate the water, this is not a test.”

“It’s real-time, it’s fast, it’s quick, we’ve been doing it for almost 40 years and it has zero impact on the environment,” said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin ended his meeting with Commissioners by offering at no charge to use one of its systems for three months at one location as a pilot project.

“I raised two daughters and for 20 years I’ve rented cottages in Orleans,” said McLaughlin.

“My girls, when they were babies, we took them to Skaket Beach. As soon as they could swim, they said ‘Dad we want waves’. They grew up learning to swim at Nauset Beach, so this is personal. These are my beaches too.”

The Commissioners let him know to contact the individual town officials and the National Seashore with the offer.

Commissioner Ron Beaty Jr. invited the East Boston-based company to attend the meeting and make the presentation.

Source: Cape Cod Times

Santuit Pond Suffering from Bacterial Pollution July 11, 2019

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

MASHPEE – The water in Santuit Pond looks green rather than clear and a mat of greenish algae recently became evident.  

The Mashpee Health Department has installed signs around public access and swimming areas warning that people should minimize exposure to the water and keep animals from drinking it.

The first order of business, selectmen said, is to notify the public before coming up with a more long-term solution.

“We need to do something about it, but the first and most important thing is to get the public notice out so people know,” said Andrew Gottlieb, bhairman of the board of selectmen, during a meeting last month.

“This is more than an aesthetics issue.”
 According to my brother Joe  Barber, who knows the Cape small ponds like the back of his hand from years of fishing, the Santuit has the biggest Pickerel around !

The bacteria is cyanobacteria, a natural occurring part of a pond’s food system.

It has a potential to be toxic and creates a toxin similar to one thought to have led to the death of a dog who drank water out of a pond in Brewster in the 1990’s.

Given the right conditions, it can lead to an overabundance of the bacteria and to algae blooms.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that these toxins can produce adverse health effects.

Toxins are released from intact cyanobacteria cells when they die in the water body or when they are ingested by animals or humans.

Once ingested, the digestive juices destroy their cell wall and the toxin is released into the gastrointestinal tract.

Federal researchers are still unsure how this bacteria turns into a more toxic, dangerous bacteria.

The Association to Preserve Cape Cod, a local environmental organization, recently launched a project to monitor the bacteria found in freshwater ponds across the Cape.

Part of the project is to keep municipalities and the public informed when the bacteria blooms before the threat of exposure.

High levels of the bacteria were found in ponds including Lovell’s, Hinckley, Wequaquet, and Bearse’s pond in Barnstable.

Outside of the APCC’s reporting, Shawme Pond in downtown Sandwich recently had a fresh batch of the bacteria as well, with scientists in that town indicating that it likely came from the recent heavy rains washing fertilizers into the pond.

“The reality is that Santuit pond, like our estuaries is heavily nutrient impacted from fertilizers and human waste,” said Gottlieb.   

Santuit is an example of a success for this model, given that conditions for the pond have been tracked for the last few years.

APCC informed the town late last week that the association suspected an algae bloom was coming.

Gottlieb said that the way forward to protecting ponds on the Cape is to control the source of the contamination, or essentially catching the abundance of nutrients before they get into the ponds.
Source: About Luke Leitner

Luke Leitner grew up in Watertown Massachusetts and now lives in West Yarmouth on the Cape. He has been a part of the news team in the CapeCod.com News Center since the spring of 2019. He studied business communications at Western New England University.

Massachusetts Fish & Wildlife Events Calendar

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

July 11: Family Fishing Clinic, Stoughton

July 12: Family Fishing Clinic, Boston

July 13: Family Fishing Clinic, Sunderland

July 15: Turtles and Turkeys and Bears, Oh My, Sutton

July 17: Family Fishing Clinic, Billerica

July 20: Family Fishing Clinic, Dorchester

July 20: Houghtons Pond Family Fishing Festival, Milton

July 21: Taunton River Watershed Association Family Fishing Festival, Somerset

July 23: Family Fishing Clinic, Stoneham

July 24: Family Fishing Clinic, Westborough

July 26: Family Fishing Clinic, Worcester

July 31: Family Fishing Clinic, Mashpee