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Scores of sea lions die from bird flu in Argentina

Hundreds of sea lions were reported dead in Peru earlier in 2023, as the virus ravaged bird populations across South America. PHOTO: REUTERS

Scores of sea lions have died from bird flu in Argentina, officials said on Tuesday, as an unprecedented global outbreak continues to infect mammals, raising fears it could spread more easily among humans.

Animal health authorities have recently reported dead sea lions in several locations along Argentina’s extensive Atlantic coast, from just south of the capital Buenos Aires to Santa Cruz near the southern tip of the continent.

Another “50 dead specimens have been counted… with symptoms compatible with avian influenza”, read a statement from a Patagonian environmental authority.

“The number of dead is rising. There is no veterinary treatment for these cases,” a local official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The authorities have asked Argentinians to avoid beaches along the country’s roughly 5,000km coastline where cases have been reported.

Sea lions are marine mammals, like seals and walruses. Adult males can weigh about 300kg.

The H5N1 bird flu has typically been confined to seasonal outbreaks, but since 2021 cases have emerged year-round and across the globe and led to what experts say is the largest outbreak ever seen.

Hundreds of sea lions were reported dead in Peru earlier in 2023, as the virus ravaged bird populations across South America.

There is no treatment for bird flu, which spreads naturally between wild birds and can also infect domestic poultry.

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/scores-of-sea-lions-die-from-bird-flu-in-argentina

8 police dogs die after AC breaks down during 2-hour traffic delay

Response was so ‘overwhelming’ that civilians intervened to help dogs

At least eight dogs in Indiana died from heat-related injuries after an air-conditioning unit that was being used to keep them cool failed during a two-hour traffic delay.

The dogs that died were among 18 German shepherds that were being taken to a police dog training facility from O’Hare Airport to Michigan City, Indiana, on Thursday, Lake Station police said.

During the transport, the driver became stuck in a traffic jam and the air-conditioning unit failed. The temperature rose inside the vehicle, causing the dogs to go into heat-related medical distress.

The driver wasn’t aware at first of the AC unit failure because the cargo area was separated. He only became aware of what was happening upon hearing the dogs barking.

A dog suffering from a heat-related condition is helped by a man inside the Road Ranger convenience store in Lake Station, Indiana, on July 27, 2023. (Jennifer Webber / Humane Society of Hobart, Indiana, via AP)

The driver stopped the vehicle at the Road Ranger convenience store on Ripley Street and began removing the dogs that were crated.

Officials from the Lake Station Fire Department and EMS, as well as the Lake Station Police Department, responded to the scene.

Police said the response from both agencies was so “overwhelming” that civilians stopped to help where they could.

“The scene was chaotic and took an emotional toll on all that were involved in trying to save as many canines as possible,” the Lake Station Police Department wrote in a press release. “Any loss of life is tragic and thoughts and prayers are with all those that were affected by this ‘freak event.’”

Source : https://www.foxnews.com/us/8-police-dogs-die-ac-breaks-down-2-hour-traffic-delay

Grand National ‘a disgrace’: Animal rights groups call for jump racing ban after three horses die at Aintree

Horseracing officials say they work “tirelessly” to improve safety records and reduce risk – but campaigners claim the Grand National race is “one of the longest and most hazardous in the world”.

Animal rights campaigners are calling for jump racing to be banned after three horses died at Aintree – with one suffering a broken neck during the Grand National.

Protesters had tried and failed to stop yesterday’s race from going ahead, and a total of 118 people were arrested.

Animal Aid says action must be taken to prevent the “brutal horrors” at Aintree Racecourse from happening again.

Dene Stansall, the campaign group’s horse racing consultant, said: “Innocent racehorses’ lives taken from them in the name of entertainment and gambling.

“Aintree, the worst of all racecourses, is a disgrace and the Jockey Club and British racing should hang their hands in utter shame at what we have seen over the past three days.”

The chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority – Julie Harrington – said the sporting body works “tirelessly” to improve safety records and reduce risk.

Offering her condolences to those linked to the horses who died this week, she added: “Every incident is reviewed by the BHA alongside the racecourse and other bodies.

“As a sport, we have for years shown great determination and commitment to improve welfare standards by taking measured scientific, evidence-based, regulatory and education-based steps.”

But given 62 horses have died at the Aintree Festival since 2000 – with 16 killed in the Grand National – critics argue that the safety measures in place don’t go far enough.

The League Against Cruel Sports also wants whips to be banned because they push horses beyond what they can safely do, and says this weekend’s events show change is needed.

Spokesperson Emma Judd said: “One death is too many. Animal welfare needs to be put before gambling profits and entertainment, and steps need to be taken to end this carnage which is occurring year after year.”

She went on to call for an independent regulator that prioritises horse welfare.

Other animal welfare groups – including Peta UK – described the Grand National race as “one of the longest and most hazardous in the world”.

It is now urging the public to put pressure on the event’s sponsors so they withdraw financial support.

In a statement, Peta UK said notorious fences such as the Chair, Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn cause “horrific and often fatal injuries” almost every year.

“Every time horses are forced to jump over these excessively high obstacles, it puts tremendous pressure on their slender front legs and they risk broken legs, necks and backs,” it added.

“Even those who make it off the track alive are likely to suffer. Thousands of horses – including ‘spent’ thoroughbreds and those who don’t ‘make the grade’ – are discarded like used betting slips every year.”

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/grand-national-a-disgrace-animal-rights-groups-call-for-jump-racing-ban-after-three-horses-die-at-aintree-12858467