Monthly Archives: June 2006

Rare Bird Seen After 75 years In Assam, India

The Manipur Bush-Quail, first discovered in the late 1870’s and last seen in the early 1930’s, was thought to be extinct for over 75 years. Two officials from the Manas National Park have spotted what they believe to be a Manipur Bush-Quail in the park. Read the full story Rare bird sighted after 75 years in Asssam in the Deccan Herald.

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Norwegian Wind Farm Decimates Local Eagles

Turbines from a wind farm on the Smøla islands off the north-west Norwegian coast have killed at least nine white-tailed eagles in the last ten months. This year, only one chick is expected to fledge from a population that used to produce at least 10 chicks a year. The area is now checked weekly for dead birds as pressure mounts on the Norwegian government to improve proposed wind-farm assessments. Read more in the RSPB story Wind farm strikes at eagle stronghold.

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Dogs Kill Protected Birds In Hawaii

Fifteen Laysan Albatrosses, also known as gooney birds, were killed by dogs last week. Although the species is not endangered, only 200 pairs of them nest each year, so the loss of 15 individuals is significant. Because the birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the dogs’ owners could be fined up to $5,000 and face up to six months in jail. Read more in the Star Bulletin’s story 15 gooney birds killed by dogs at protected site.

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Pelican Trouble In Southern California

Last week a Brown Pelican crashed into a car on the Pacific Coast Highway near Laguna Beach. Both bird and driver survived the crash. Later in town, three disoriented pelicans were found. All birds are thought to have been intoxicated by domoic acid, a by-product of pollution in coastal waters. At least sixteen other reports of bird drunkenness have been reported in the area. Read more in The Scotsman, WISTV and KSAT.

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Dutch Researchers Find Dodo Skeleton

A Dutch research team has discovered a dodo skeleton on the island of Mauritius last week. The announcement came from the museum Naturalis, located in Leiden.

The research team’s goal is to document the environment of the dodo on Mauritius before Europeans came to the island. According to descriptions, the Portuguese came to the island about 500 years ago. In about 1600, the Dutch came to the island and began large-scale development and settlement. The last dodo bird was also seen in this period (1683)

So far the team has found near complete leg bone structures, along with skulls, wing- and breast-bones. The team still hopes to discover a complete skeleton. The research expedition will come to an end on 3 July.

Source: Nederlandse onderzoekers vinden onderlichaam dodo

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Dead Swans Found In Amsterdam

On Sunday five dead swans were found in the Dommelskanaal in Amsterdam.

The Dutch animal protection group Dierenbescherming found an exhausted adult female swan along with four dead cygets. The mother swan was very weak and had to be put down by a veterinarian.

According to Dierenbescherming, the cygnets drowned when trying to flee from a fast-moving boat.

A sixth swan, the father of the family, was picked up by an animal ambulance on Sunday night.

Source: Dode zwanen aangetroffen in Dommelskanaal

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Swallow Nests Removed From Dutch Locks

Construction on a lock in the Dutch city of Wijk bij Duurstede was able to continue this week after swallow nests in the lock were removed. Replacement of a lock door had been postponed last week with the discovery of the nests. When the nests were removed, 23 hatchlings were brought to a shelter.

Because the Barn Swallow is a protected species, the nests could only be removed after consultation with the Dutch Land and Nature Ministry. Swallow nest boxes have been placed around the lock to provide the birds with alternative nesting sites.

Source: Zwaluwen wijken voor vervanging sluisdeuren

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France Opposes Extra Space For Chickens

A group of EU countries, under the leadership of France, has blocked a proposed plan to increase the minimum living space for farm chickens. The group is concerned about EU farms competing with Brazilan chicken farmers.

The European Commission currently mandates a maximum of 38 kilos of chickens per square meter. The proposal, brought by Dutch PvdA party member Thijs Berman, was seeking a maximum of 34 kg of chickens per square meter by 2013.

Berman’s reacted with deep disappointment. According to Berman, today’s EU consumers prefer a meat from well-cared for chickens and even indicated that some Brazilian chickens today have more space than some EU chickens.

Germany, Great Britain and the Scandinavian countries back the proposal, but together they do not constitute enough votes against the French coalition.

Source: Frankrijk blokkeert extra ruimte voor kippen

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Posted in Europe, Law | Leave a comment