SUPPLEMENT TO THE JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES
JULY, 1999   Charlotte F. Quist, Editor
Wildlife Diseases Newsletter  Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study
JWD Vol. 35: No. 3   College of Veterinary Medicine
     University of Georgia
     Athens, GA USA  30602
     Telephone: 706-542-5349
      Fax: 706-542-5977
      E-mail: CQUIST@ADL300.VET.UGA.EDU
 
 

 Visit the WDA website at: http://www.vpp.vet.uga.edu/wda

WDA ACTIVITIES

Y’ALL COME!!  1999 WDA Conference.  The 48th Annual Conference of the WDA will be held August 8-12, 1999, at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education on the University of Georgia Campus in Athens Georgia, USA.  The meeting will be sponsored by the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study with the assistance of several other departments at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia.  Athens, known locally as "the Classic City", provides a wonderful setting to host members of the WDA, and we hope everyone will relax and enjoy true Southern hospitality.  Many of the traditional events of our annual meeting will take on a southern flair by featuring fine southern cooking and regional music.  Athens is becoming known for its music scene and has entertained the world through the music of the rock band, REM, and country music star, John Berry.  So, Y'all come, y'hear!!
 The Editorial Board and WDA Council will meet on Sunday, August 8, prior to the beginning of the Conference.  A welcoming reception will be held on Sunday evening at the Georgia Center.  The general sessions will begin on Monday, August 9, 1999 highlighted by a Symposium on International Issues in Rabies Re-Emergence hosted in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.  Contributed papers begin on Monday and continue through Thursday afternoon.  Social events will include the usual Monday evening picnic and the ever-popular auction on Tuesday evening.  The banquet and awards presentations will be held on Wednesday evening.
 Complete information regarding the Conference and Athens can be obtained from the WDA website at http://www.vpp.vet.uga.edu/wda which has registration forms and information on accommodations.  Information also can be obtained from Charlotte Quist (706-542-5349) or Susan Little (706-542-8447), Local Arrangements Co-Chairs, at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, USA.  Fax: (706) 542-5977; Email: WDAmail@calc.vet.uga.edu).

WDA Student Activities.  The Wildlife Disease Association offers a scholarship and two awards to encourage student participation in the Association and our annual conference, and to recognize outstanding student research.  Students are defined as undergraduate or graduate students in the basic or veterinary sciences, and veterinary interns or residents.  Potential recipients must be members of the Wildlife Disease Association or must apply for membership at the time of application for the award.  Student supervisors are encouraged to bring these awards to the attention of their students well in advance of deadlines.  The application dates for this year’s awards have passed, but students should be encouraged to apply next year.  Check last January’s Supplement for detail or watch for future postings at this site.  The available awards include:
1)  Wildlife Disease Association Scholarship.  This scholarship acknowledges outstanding academic and research accomplishment, commitment, and potential in pursuit of new knowledge in wildlife disease (or "health").  The scholarship has a value of $2,000 US and is awarded annually to an outstanding student who is pursuing a master's or doctoral degree specializing in research on wildlife disease.
2)  Student Research Recognition Award.  This award is given to the student judged to have the best research project in the field of wildlife disease, based on written communication and scientific achievement.  The winner receives a plaque and up to $1,000 US to cover travel, housing, registration, etc. related to the annual conference, where his or her work will be presented.
3 Terry Amundson Student Presentation Award.  This award recognizes the best student paper presented at the annual conference.  The award is based on the scientific content of the research and the quality of the presentation.  The winner receives a plaque, $100 US and a conference registration fee rebate.  In addition, up to three students receive Honorable Mention which includes a plaque and a conference registration fee rebate.
 For more information regarding any of these awards or other student information, please contact Dr. Ellis Greiner, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32511 USA.  Telephone: 352-392-4700 ext.5861; FAX: 352-392-9704.  Email: greinere@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu

HAPPENINGS IN THE FIELD
Resolution of the Participants of 3rd Scientific Meeting of the European College of Avian Medicine and Surgery and the 5th Conference of the European Committee of the Association of Avian Veterinarians; Pisa, Italy; May, 17-22, 1999.  During the joint scientific meeting of the European College of Avian Medicine and Surgery (ECAMS) and the European Committee of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (EAAV), the participants spontaneously drafted and adopted a resolution which related to the role of the veterinary profession in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. To promote spread of this resolution, veterinarians are encouraged to bring the resolution under the attention of politicians, organizations, institutions, governments, and all others concerned with wildlife conservation and rehabilitation programs.
Preamble
Recognizing that:
1. The need for knowledge and management of wild species becomes increasingly important because of decreasing quality and quantity of available habitat and increasing competition between animals and man, and
2. Many populations of critically endangered (avian) species are down to critically low numbers and are intensively managed both in situ and in captivity, and
3. The high level of management of critically endangered species provides opportunities for an equivalent level of health monitoring and health care which are not often fully provided, and
4. There is an increased need for monitoring for diseases because of a quickly changing environment and an increased international transport of animals and man, and
5. A vast amount of knowledge has been accumulated in recent decades within the specialized field of avian medicine and its related disciplines, and
6. Veterinary knowledge is indispensable to utilize wildlife, particularly birds, as sentinels for environmental changes and the detection of emerging diseases, and
7. The recruitment of specialized veterinary knowledge in wildlife rehabilitation programs can significantly contribute to health and welfare of both individual animals and animal populations, and
8. The lack of veterinary involvement in rehabilitation centers may lead to unnecessary suffering of individual animals and to an increased risk of disease transmission to wild animal (population)s and humans, and
9. Many procedures performed on wild birds in rehabilitation centers may only legally be performed by veterinarians, and
10. Many veterinarians involved in wildlife rehabilitation centers are greatly limited in their potential contribution because they often work on a voluntary basis with limited resources, and
11. Both the management aspects and the veterinary aspects of wildlife rehabilitation can contribute significantly to effective public education.
The participants of the 3rd Scientific Meeting of the European College of Avian Medicine and Surgery and the 5th Conference of the European Committee of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, present in Pisa, Italy, May17-22, 1999 , unanimously adopt the following resolution.
Resolution
Politicians, organizations, institutions, governments, and all others concerned with wildlife conservation and rehabilitation programs are strongly urged to:
1. Recognize the important contributions the veterinary profession is capable of making in the successful outcome of wildlife conservation and rehabilitation programs, and
2. Consider the structural inclusion of specialized veterinarians in these programs, and
3. Include the salary of veterinarians in the budget of such programs, and
4. Provide the resources for these veterinarians to conduct their specialized activities according to state of the art veterinary standards.
(Final version edited without modifications to the contents of the resolution at May 27, 1999 by the Chairman of the Scientific Programme of ECAMS, Dr. J.T. Lumeij)
 Submitted by: Dr. (Sjeng) T. Lumeij, DVM, PhD, Dip ECAMS, Dip ABVP-certified in avian practice, Division of Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 83584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands. Telephone: +30-2531800; Fax: +30-2518126; E-mail: J.T.Lumeij@vet.uu.nl
 

DIAGNOSTIC RIDDLE

What is your diagnosis?

Over the last several years, wildlife pathologists at the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study have seen a number of American robins (Turdus migratorius) with this crusting dermatitis on the legs (FIG 1.).  In virtually all cases, the leg lesions were not the apparent cause of death.  Most of the affected birds were killed by other causes such as pesticide exposure.  What is your diagnosis?
 (Answer is posted after the Quarterly Report Table .)
 

QUARTERLY MORTALITY REPORT

 The USGS Alaska Biological Science Center has received numerous reports of black-capped chickadees with bill deformities over this last winter. It has also received reports about deformed chickadees that were observed the winter before.  In most cases these birds have a greatly elongated and decurved upper mandible that often crosses over the lower mandible.  Most of the reports are from the Anchorage area but reports have been received from as far as 85 miles from Anchorage.  Birds appear normal and healthy but have difficulty feeding and appear to spend more time at birdfeeders than normal birds.  Pathologists at the NWHC have seen bone abnormalities radiographically, but to date no cause for these abnormalities has been determined.
 An unusual mortality event in grackles and starlings in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana was first reported to Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries biologists on 25 Jan 99.  Clinical signs in affected birds included erratic flight or  inability to fly, and severe head bobbing.  Carcasses were submitted to multiple diagnostic laboratories.  Diagnostic evaluation of several birds at NWHC revealed inflammation in the air spaces within the bones of the skull.  In more chronic cases, a secondary meningitis of adjacent tissue was seen.  No viruses were detected in birds examined.  Escherichia coli was cultured from the brains and skulls of some of the birds.  It is not known if E. coli was the primary cause of the infection or a secondary invader.
Reminder:  The Wildlife Disease Specialists at the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) compile the Quarterly Wildlife Mortality Report from cases diagnosed at NWHC as well as die-offs reported by other laboratories or sources.  If you know of a wildlife mortality event, please contact the National Wildlife Health Center at 608-270-2400 to report the die-off for inclusion in the Quarterly Report. Thank you.

 The Quarterly Wildlife Mortality Report is available on the Internet at http://www.emtc.usgs.gov/nwhchome.html .
To report mortality or if you would like specific information on these mortalities, contact one of
 the following NWHC staff:  Eastern US--Kathryn Converse or Kimberli Miller; Western US--Lynn
Creekmore or Linda Glaser; Hawaiian Islands--Thierry Work.  Phone (608) 270-2400,  FAX (608)
270-2415 or E-mail kathy_converse@usgs.gov.  National Wildlife Health Center, 6006 Schroeder Road,
Madison, WI  53711.
 

DIAGNOSTIC RIDDLE – Answer:

Answer : Podoknemidokoptiasis (common name – scaly leg disease) caused by the mite, Knemidokoptes jamaicensis.
Comments : Both wild and domestic birds can be affected by various species of Knemidokoptes.  Outbreaks have been reported in the United States and several other countries.  Histologically, cross-sections of mites can be found within the severely hyperkeratotic epidermal layers of the skin of the feet and legs.  Often, associated eosinophilic inflammation is present in the adjacent tissues.  The diagnosis is readily made by visualizing the mites in scrapings from the legs or in histological sections.  However, avian pox also can cause a crusting dermatitis and should be ruled-out in any species of bird with proliferative lesions on the feet and/or legs.  Although little is known about treatment and control of Knemidokoptic pododermatitis in passarine species, the condition is thought to be infectious, particularly among birds in captivity.  Based on a relatively few cases that were apparently refractory to ivermectin, no effective treatment has been identified.  For a good review of this condition, see : Pence et al. Epizootic podoknemidokoptiasis in American robins, Journal of Wildlife Diseases 35(1) :1-7).
 Prepared by John Fischer and Charlotte Quist, SCWDS.
 

AVAILABLE PULICATIONS AND AUDIOVISUALS
Chronic Wasting Disease Video:  Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurologic disease of deer and elk caused by infectious proteins or "prions".  Diseases caused by prions are often referred to as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.  This video informs viewers about this transmissible encephalopathy of cervids, describes and demonstrates the appearance of animals with CWD, and explains how to collect appropriate samples for diagnosis of the disease.
 The video was produced by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in cooperation with the University of Wyoming, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.  It was produced for the Western Wildlife Cooperative of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.  The video is 13 minutes long and costs $10.00 U.S. per copy plus $4.00 U.S. per shipment for shipping and handling.  To order, contact: Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Attention: AE, 5400 Bishop Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82006 USA. Telephone: (307) 777-4570.

Bulletin d'Information sur la Pathologie des Animaux Sauvages en France (BIPAS).  Volume 19 of BIPAS has recently been published. It contains a summary of findings from the French SAGIR (Surveillance Sanitaire de la Faune Sauvage) network for the first half of 1998 and a short review on tuberculosis in wildlife. There is a case report on an osteochondroma in a wild boar and a preliminary report on investigations of pneumonia in chamois. There are also articles on the role of the SAGIR network on the health of mountain wildlife, various aspects of keratoconjunctivitis in Alpine ibex and a report on meningoencephalitis of unknown cause in ibex. A compilation of papers on diseases of wildlife in Europe published from 1992 to 1998 is also included. Copies of BIPAS can be obtained from Marc Artois, Laboratoire d'Etudes sur la Rage et la Pathologie des Animaux Sauvages, CNEVA Nancy, BP 9, 54220 Malzeville, France (telephone +33 3 83 29 89 50; fax + 33 3 83 29 89 59; e-mail, marc.artois@nancy.cneva.fr).

NEWS FROM EUROPE
Material suitable for publication in the Newsletter includes news of recent wildlife disease outbreaks in Europe, short case reports, announcements and reports of relevant meetings in Europe, and job and scholarship announcements.  Submissions should be in English, but contributors for whom English is a second language and who send material in basic English or in their own language, will be accommodated as far as possible.  Deadline for submission of articles for the next issue (October 1999) is 21 August 1999.  Please mail (floppy disk preferred), fax or e-mail submissions to Seamus Kennedy, Veterinary Sciences Division, Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, Stoney Road, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, Northern Ireland. Telephone: +44 (1232) 525701; fax: +44 (1232) 525767; email: kennedys@dani.gov.uk.

WDA SECTION CHAIRS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
African Section.  For information regarding the African Section, contact Nancy Kock, Department of Paraclinical Veterinary Studies, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleaseant, Harare, Zimbabwe.  Telephone: 303211; fax:(263) (4) 333407/335249.

Australasian Section.  For information regarding the Australasian Section, contact Lee Skerratt, School of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Princes Hwy, Werribee, Victoria 3030 Australia.  Telephone: 61 3 9742 8330; fax: 61 3 9741 0401; email: skerratt@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au

European Section.   For information regarding the European Section, contact Torsten Morner, The National Veterinary Institute, Department of Wildlife, Box 7073, S750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.  Telephone: +46-1867-4214; fax: +46-1830-9162; email: Torsten.Morner@SVA.SE

Latin American Section.  For information regarding the Latin American Section, contact Alonso Aguirre, TUSVM Wildlife Clinic, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.  Telephone: (508) 839-7918; fax: (508) 839-7930; email: aguirre@wpti.org

Nordic Section.  For information regarding the Nordic Section, contact Hans-Henrik Dietz, Danish Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Fur Animal and Wildlife Diseases, 2 Hangovej, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.  Telephone: 45-89-37-24-17; fax: 45-89-37-24-70; email: hhd@svs.dk

Wildlife Veterinarian Section.  For information regarding the Wildlife Veterinarian Section, contact Sarah Shapiro Hurley, Bureau of Wildlife Management, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 S. Webster Street, WM/4 Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.  Telephone: (607) 267-7472; fax: (608) 267-3579; email: HURLES@DNR.STATE.WI.US

TRAINING/EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Postdoctoral Training in Zoo Animal Pathology.  The National Zoological Park,  Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. has an anticipated 2-year traineeship in pathology available July, 2000.  The annual stipend is approximately $25,000 plus some benefits.  Time in training may be applied to ACVP eligibility.  Training will emphasize gross and microscopic diagnosis of  case material originating from the zoo’s collection with opportunities to conduct pathologic investigations of diseases in a wild range of zoo animals.  The zoo has a strong program in clinical and comparative medicine.  Members of the veterinary staff have affiliations with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and maintain academic appointments at Johns Hopkins and George Washington Universities, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences where participation in comparative pathology training and formal course work are available.  Applicants must have a DVM or equivalent degree from an AVMA accredited veterinary college and should send academic transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation, and a resume with a short narrative of prior pathology experience and goals by December 30, 1999 to:  Dr. Richard Montali, Department of Pathology, National Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008.  This program is provided through the Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) and is subject to funds availablility; it is not a federal position.

Directory of Post-Graduate Educational Opportunities in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.   The World Association of Wildlife Veterinarians has recently produced a Directory of Post-Graduate Educational Opportunities in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.  The Directory covers opportunities in over fifty countries and is a must for veterinary students or graduates interested in furthering their careers in the field of wildlife medicine.  For further information, please contact the Secretary of the WAWV at: F.Scullion@zoo.co.uk

Wildlife Capture Courses for Veterinarians;  July 10-17, 1999 and October 2-10, 1999; Krueger National Park, South Africa.  This course is presented by the Price Forbes Chair in Wildlife (Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria) and the National Parks Board.  Intensive discussion sessions over 2-3 days, dealing with the pharmacology of immobilizing  drugs and tranquilizers.  This is followed by training in the capture of a variety of species, including elephant, antelope and lions. Darting techniques from vehicles and helicopter is included.  Cost: US$1300 which includes lectures, accommodations, meals, and transport while on the course.  For more information, Contact: Professor David Meltzer, Centre for Wildlife,  Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pvt Bag X04 Onderstepoort 0110.  Telephone:  +27 12 529 8077; FAX: +27 12 529 8312; e-mail:  dgam@op1.up.ac.za

MSc in Wild Animal Health.  The Royal Veterinary College (University of London) and the Institute of Zoology (Zoological Society of London) invite applications from EC or overseas graduates in veterinary or relevant sciences for a twelve month course in wild animal health beginning in October of 1999.  The course includes practical and theoretical instruction in the husbandry and nutrition of wild animals, taxonomy, population biology, conservation genetics, utilization of wildlife, welfare and ethical aspects, epidemiology, immunology, infectious and non-infectious diseases, disease investigation, therapeutics, imaging and preventative medicine, and restraint, anaesthesia and aspects of surgery in various taxa, together with an individual research project.  Training will be given by the staff at The Royal Veterinary College and the Institute of Zoology as well as invited speakers from other veterinary and zoological centers.
 Full particulars and an application form are available from the Head of Registry or Dr. M.T. Fox, The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU.  Telephone: +171 468 5000; FAX: +171 388 2342.

Marine Wildlife Short Course.  September 4-8, 2000; Queensland, Australia.  The Post Graduate Foundation in Veterinary Science will be holding a course for veterinarians and others associated with marine wildlife at the Sea World Nara Resort on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia from the 4-8 of September of 2000.  The course is aimed at veterinarians and will cover topics such as the natural history and biology of species such as cetaceans, pinnipeds and marine turtles, the ethics of marine wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release, strandings, handling, anaesthesia, nutrition and husbandry, transport and restraint, triage and emergency treatment of oiled sea birds, the role of the veterinarian in marine strandings, conservation marine wildlife, euthanasia, necropsy techniques and sample collection.  Dr. Joseph Geraci from the U.S. National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland will be travelling to Australia to speak at this course.
 Sea World Nara Resort is a great place for the whole family.  It is located on a peninsula at the northern end of the Gold Coast and boasts a fun park and water park along with the interactive marine displays.  There is 5 star accommodation available right in the park and plenty of accommodation of all standards available nearby.  Queensland in September is when the weather is usually at its best. The days are usually hot and the nights balmy.  This course is well timed for anyone thinking of visiting Australia for the Olympic Games.  The Games will be held in Sydney 15 September to 1 October.  The Marine Wildlife Course will be held at Surfer's Paradise in Queensland approx. 1 hour flying time north of Sydney.
 For more information, contact Debbi Ravenscroft at debrav@pgfvet.usyd.edu.au or pthdbp@ttuhsc.edu
 

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS
48th Annual Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association.  August 8-12, 1999; Athens, Georgia.  For more information, see postings in this issue or visit the WDA website at: http://www.vpp.vet.uga.edu/wda

World Veterinary Congress.  September 23-29, 1999; Lyon, France.  A joint meeting of the European Division of the Wildlife Disease Association, World Association of Wildlife Veterinarians, the European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians and the Groupe d'Ecopathologie de la Faune Sauvage de Montagne (GEEFSM) will be held during the World Veterinary Congress in Lyon, France, 23-29 September 1999.  The general theme will be "Managing Wildlife Health and Emerging Diseases" and it is planned to have special sessions on the following topics: diseases of zoonotic importance in free-ranging wild animals, economically important diseases of free-ranging wildlife, wild animals in captivity; control of infectious diseases in zoological parks and in farming/ranching of newly domesticated wild animals.  For further details, contact Dr. Francis Scullion, Secretary WAWV, 16 Cranlome Road, Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone BT70 2HS, Northern Ireland. E-mail: F.Scullion@zoo.co.uk

Conference on Wildlife, Pesticides and People.  September 25-26, 1998; Fairfax, Virginia.  A conference on Wildlife, Pesticides and People: New Information on Pesticides' Threats to Wildlife and the Ecosystems That Support Human Societies will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26, 1998, at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.  The conference sponsors are Rachel Carson Council, a 33 year-old pesticide data resource organization founded by colleagues of the scientist-writer, Rachel Carson (author of the 1962 sentinel book, Silent Spring), and the Biology Department of George Mason University.  Pesticides continue to kill and are suspected of harming thousands of migratory birds, fish, amphibians and beneficial insects with consequent effects on the quality of human life.  Over twenty outstanding scientists will present various aspects of pesticides effects on non-target organisms, including: Dr. Theo Colborn, author of Our Stolen Future, speaking on "Pesticides as Endocrine Disrupters," Dr. Pierre Mineau, of the Canadian Wildlife Service, speaking on, "Pesticides and Birds," Dr. Gary Nabhan on "Pesticides and Pollinators," and Dr. Julie Ewald from the United Kingdom, who will report on a 30 year study of pesticides' effects on wildlife.  Dr. David Pimentel of Cornell University our keynote speaker will address the overall theme of the conference, "Wildlife, Pesticides and People: The Relationship." Other respected experts will detail pesticide risks to: plants, marine mammals ,fish, frogs, aquatic invertebrates, soil organisms, and beneficial insects.  The Friday night organic banquet will feature a talk by eminent environmental activist and former Sierra Club President, David Brower.  All interested persons are encouraged to attend. Presentations will be in non-technical language and summaries of technical articles with a glossary of relevant definitions will be included in the proceedings book.  For registration and scholarship information, contact:  Dr. Diana Post, Rachel Carson Council, Inc.  8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815.  Telephone: (301) 652-1877.  E-mail: rccouncil@aol.com

Australian Society for Parasitology Annual Scientific Meeting and AGM.  September 26-30, 1999; Rockhampton, Queensland.  The conference will be held at the Capricorn Internation Resort in Rockhampton, Queensland, which is a world class resort located on the Central Queensland Coast just north of the Tropic of Capricorn..  The theme of the conference is "Reef and Beef" which has been chosen to reflect the Australian tropical Outback location at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef.  Main topics will include: marine parasitology, ecology of parasites, ectoparasites, chemotherapy and drug resistance, protozoa, helminths, immunology and vaccine, and phylogeny and molecular parasitology.  For more information, contact ASP '99, Associated Professor L. Warner, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland 4702.  FAX 61 7 4930 9209.  Email: l.warner@cqu.edu.au

Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians Conference.  October 6-9, 1999; Columbus, Ohio.  For more information, contact Dr. Wilbur B. Amand, Executive Director, 6 North Pennell Road, Media, Pennsylvania 19063 USA.  Telephone: (610) 892-4812; FAX: (610) 892-4813.  Email: 75634.235@compuserve.com

American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Annual Conference.  October 9-14, 1999; Columbus, Ohio.  The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians will hold its' annual conference in Columbus, Ohio on October 9-14, 1999.  Program sessions include avian medicine, primates, small mammals/carnivore, nutrition, large mammals/hoofstock, reptilian and amphibian medicine, infectious diseases, reproductive technologies/contraception, ethics, imaging, gerontology and case reports.  There will also be a poster seession, veterinary student and resident/graduate paper competitions, and workshops/wet labs.  A new feature this year will be the presentation of three master sessions.
 For information regarding session chairpersons, please contact Michael Barrie DVM, at the Oklahoma City Zoo, 2101 NE 50th, Oklahoma City, OK 73013.  Telephone: (405) 425-0249; FAX: (405) 425-0207.  Email: mbarrie@okczoo.com.  for general information regarding the meeting, contact:  Dr. Wilbur B. Amand, Executive Director, 6 North Pennell Road, Media, Pennsylvania 19063 USA.  Telephone: (610) 892-4812; FAX: (610) 892-4813.  Email: 75634.235@compuserve.com

The 8th Annual Mid-Western Exotic Animal Medicine Conference.  October 23-24, 1999; Manhattan, Kansas.  Topics include the surgery, medicine and captive management of birds, reptiles, and small exotic mammals .  Participants will receive 9.5 hours of continuing education credit.  An optional wet-lab on “Surgical Techniques in Birds” will be presented by Dr. Avery Bennett.  Participants will receive 3.5 hours of continuing education credit.  For more information, contact: Dr. James W. Carpenter, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.  Telephone: (785) 532-5690; FAX: (785) 532-4309; email: carpentr@vet.ksu.edu

4th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium.  November 8-12, 1999; Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  The 4th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium will be held at the Regal Constellation Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from November 8-12, 1999.  The Wildlife Ranching Symposium Series, which is hosted by the North American Elk Breeders' Association, was developed to bring together the diverse disciplines in agriculture and wildlife in order to confront the need for sound but evolving approaches to all facets of wildlife and habitat management.  Through the co-ordination of both technical and practical experience and research, mission-orientated goals can be developed to vertically integrate new tools, information, and benefits to the private sector and management, conservation, and production of wildlife.  The program will be designed to disseminate the information for professional, scientific, and practical applications.  The symposium should be attended by academic, government, policy makers, researchers, wildlife managers, and game farm and industry persons.  The theme of 4th IWRS is "Biodiversity, Conservation & Sustainability, Ecotourism, Traditional Medicines & Health".  The Program will feature a Plenary Session on:  Historical View of Wildlife Domestication and Utilization, Politics and Wildlife Management, and Wildlife Utilization and Conservation.  This is a call for papers and posters.  Proposed titles for papers and/or posters should be sent to Dr. Lyle A. Renecker, Chairman, 4th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium R.R.# 5, Stratford, Ontario, Canada N5A 6S6.  Telephone: (519) 393-6425; FAX: (519) 393-6404.  E-mail: ltrenecker@golden.net

British Veterinary Zoological Society’s Zoo and Exotic Animal Anaesthesia and Surgery Meeting.  November 20-21, 1999; London, UK.  This 2 day meeting, which will be held at the Meeting Rooms of the Zoological Society of London, will concentrate on the modern approach and advances within the field of anaesthesia and surgery in birds, reptiles, small mammals, zoo animals, fish, etc.  Anyone wishing to present a paper should contact Steve Divers (SteveDVet@aol.com). Exotic Animal Centre, 12 Fitzilian Avenue, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 0QS, UK. Fax: 44 (0)1708 344318.  You don’t have to be an academic high-roller, super-specialist or all-round action-packed super-hero to present.  Student papers, reviews, new techniques and procedures, as well as original research are all very welcome.  For registration details, please contact Derek Lyon (DGLyon9@aol.com).  Brackenwood, 67 Wynnstay Lane, Marford, Wrexham LL12 8LH, UK. Fax: 44 (0)1978 852065.

Year 2000 Meeting of the European Division of the Wildlife Disease Association (EWDA).  May, 2000; Zaragoza, Spain.  The 4th meeting of the EWDA is provisionally scheduled to take place in Zaragoza, Spain during the first week of May, 2000.  It will be organized by the SEDIFAS Wildlife Diagnostic Service at Zaragoza University.  A meeting of the Groupe d'Etude de l'Ecopathologie de la Faune Sauvage (GEEFSM) is due to take place around the same time and a joint conference session between EWDA and GEEFSM is planned.  For further information, contact Christian Gortázar, SEDIFAS Wildlife Diagnostic Service, Veterinary Faculty, Zaragoza University, c./ Miguel Servet 177, E-50.013 Zaragoza, Spain. Fax: +34 976 105 209; Tel: +34 610 444 207; E-mail: ebronatura@facilnet.es

Note from the Editor:  Please send meeting announcements, diagnostic riddles, position and grant announcements, miscellaneous items, etc. for the Supplement to the Journal of Wildlife Diseases to Charlotte F. Quist, SCWDS/Athens Diagnostic Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602; telephone:(706) 542-5349; fax: (706) 542-5977; e-mail: CQUIST@ADL300.VET.UGA.EDU   Double spaced typewritten or electronic mail files in WordPerfect 5.1 or Microsoft Word are preferred.  The deadline for submission of articles for the next issue (October 1999, JWD Vol. 35, No. 4) is August 25, 1999.