Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Researchers: Wolves Might Slow Spread of CWD

Posted by michael on from the spongy-brained-wolves dept.

William G. Davis writes "According to this AP article, researchers are now suggesting that wolves might be able to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer. Chronic wasting disease is the name commonly given to spongiform encephalopathy (prion disease) in deer and elk (basically, mad cow disease in deer). The article explains how wolves typically look for weaknesses in their prey, and since prion disease causes that, wolves might target the sick animals. One has to wonder, though, about the potential ramifications of having dangerous predators exposed to this brain-wasting illness, and what type of 'unusual behavior' they'll start to exhibit."

3 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. Dangerous? by rot26 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wolves aren't particularly dangerous. They rarely attack humans... rarely ENCOUNTER humans for that matter, and being at the top of the food chain, wouldn't be in much of a position to pass the virus (virii?) on to other species. I'd guess any wolf that began to have symptoms of such a serious disease would simply starve to death in fairly short order.

    --



    To ensure perfect aim, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target
    1. Re:Dangerous? by Micro$will · · Score: 5, Informative

      Scavengers typically have immune systems thousands of times powerful as humans.

      Quote from Here Vultures have long been perceived as loathsome birds because of their feeding habits. We now know the important role these birds play by cleaning up dead animals. The Latin name Cathartes aura means "Golden purifier". Turkey Vultures are immune to botulism, anthrax bacteria, hog cholera virus and many, many more that would kill other animals as well as us. Vultures were once blamed for spreading diseases. Scientific research has shown that their digestive tract and immune system actually destroy all pathogens and help to control these diseases. Ongoing research in the medical field on the Turkey Vulture's amazing immune system may some day yield valuable information that could be applied to humans as well as livestock.

  2. Pure FUD by Drakin · · Score: 5, Informative
    One has to wonder, though, about the potential ramifications of having dangerous predators exposed to this brain-wasting illness, and what type of 'unusual behavior' they'll start to exhibit."



    Had the submitter actually read up on CWD, they'd have learned that it's already present in areas where there are wild wolves, and that there's no sign of the wolf population contracting it.

    As well, in tests that involved feeding infected brains to live stock, none of the livestock showed any signs of contracting CWD. The only time they've had sucess with transmitting the disease outside of deer and elk is by atricicial means, as in, directly injecting it into the brain.

    So the wolves should be safe enough.