West Nile Virus-West Nile virus (WNV) is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes that bite and infect humans and other animals. It has been spreading from the East Coast toward California over the last few years. West Nile virus can cause serious disease and death in wildlife and may have a significant impact on our rehabilitation efforts. In preparing for its arrival Project Wildlife is participating in WNV surveillance.

Project Wildlife asks volunteers with any dying or deceased crows, ravens, jays, raptors, blackbirds, finches, sparrows, or cowbirds immediately to report the birds to the California WNV hotline 1-877-WNVBIRD (1-877-968-2473). Time is of the utmost importance in recovering the virus, so call the toll free number as soon as possible. Do not delay calling, and submit all eligible birds. Birds dead more that 24 hours (gross decomposition, maggots, desiccated eyes or body) cannot be used. Do not call the hotline for these birds or birds that die over the weekend. The virus will not be detectable. 

The target species of birds (crows, ravens, jays, raptors, blackbirds, finches, sparrows, or cowbirds) can have high levels of WNV in their bloodstream. These species should be handled with gloves. Blood from a potentially infected bird should not come in contact with your skin. You may have scrapes and cuts which might be an avenue of infection. Wash your hands frequently in addition to wearing gloves. 

Mammals are considered "dead end hosts". Mammals can be infected by mosquitoes, but they do not transmit the virus to others. Project Wildlife is planning to vaccinate our education animals for WNV this spring when the mosquito population starts to rise. We will be using the WNV vaccine developed for use in horses. Several zoos and wildlife groups are testing the vaccine on their animals. Project Wildlife is going to see if there are any ill effects from the vaccine before we use it on our animals. Even if the vaccine has no side effects, no one knows if the vaccine will provide protection to non-equine species. 

Newcastle Disease - An outbreak of Newcastle disease at a chicken ranch in eastern Ramona has been diagnosed. At this point, 73,000 chickens have been euthanized. It is most likely that the ranch in Ramona was infected by incompletely sanitized egg handling equipment from an infected ranch in the Los Angeles area. San Diego County is now under a Newcastle disease quarantine. 

Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral disease of all species of birds. It is spread by direct contact with bodily fluids from infected birds and can be carried on shoes, clothing, equipment, etc. It can cause a variety of signs and kills many of the birds that are infected. There is a vaccine for Newcastle disease, but it is only safe in poultry. 

The disease is not native to the United States and because of its potential harm to the poultry industry, infected birds are euthanized. The chances of Newcastle disease becoming established in the wild bird population is EXTREMELY low. In the last outbreak in San Diego in 1978, it did not spread to any wild birds. 

To ensure the safety of Project Wildlife's education birds, PW has instituted several precautionary measures. Until further notice, we will not hold any education programs within the Ramona area nor attend any education events if other birds will be present. We are eliminating avenues of contact between education birds and rehab birds. This means that the caretakers of our bird ambassadors will not accept birds for rehabilitation. Further we are keeping education bird enclosures protected from wildlife visitors.

Do We Have Your Current E-mail Address?

We'll send you advance notice of special events, remind you when it's time to renew your membership, send invitations to members-only lectures, and more! Eventually, we will even be able to send you the Back to Nature newsletter electronically!

Please take the time to give us your e-mail address either by visiting our web site at www.projectwildlife.org. 

Thanks for your help!

Back to Nature newsletter is published quarterly by:
Project Wildlife
4343 Morena Blvd., #7
San Diego, CA 92117

Project Wildlife is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of San Diego County Wildlife. Project Wildlife is also dedicated to the education of San Diego County residents on local wildlife and how to coexist with local mammals and birds.

To get in touch with Project Wildlife, see our contact page

Ways to Give:
Endowment Program
United Way Donations
Flowers for Wildlife
Protectors of Wildlife

Programs:
Education Department and Programs