>Thankyou Melbourne, Wollongong and LaCrosse Wisconsin for your comments on
the dying white throated nightjars. I will be writing to Queensland Rail
and forward a copy of your lettters.
>
>If anyone else can offer suggestions, I'd be glad to receive them.
Alex,
Have necropsies been performed on the dead nightjars to determine the cause
of death? They may be succumbing to an infectious disease rather than
poisoning. A thorough necropsy and microbiological and histopathological
investigation is warranted. You could also check for pesticides and heavy
metals in the tissues of the birds but even if they are detected don't
assume that Queensland Rail is responsible, the birds may be ingesting
toxins elsewhere.
_________________________________________________
Dr Shane Raidal BVSc PhD MACVSc (Avian Health)
Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology
School of Veterinary Studies
Murdoch University phone: +61 9 360 2418
Perth,WA, 6150 fax: +61 9 310 4144
Australia
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