(Ashton) Vale Wildlife Group

 For anyone in the Ashton Vale area there is a new Face Book page though from a 28 year old group!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/315237280619688

Dead Fox and Dead Badgers -a Connection? Update

Apparently my warning post to Frieds of Eastville Park Face Book group will not be published. I have been told that this is because of a number of things:

1.  Bristol City Council has refused to analyse the blue substance found as it is "probably harmless". One wonders why the "fighters for the environment" council always fudges around when poison is mentioned? Also there is protected wildlife in the Park and that inc;ludes the badgers a protected species.

2. "We are also trying to establish if the last two badgers found were one and the same or not." Well, I established that the two January badger reports were of the same crcasse as no one had reported it to Bristol City Council; I reported it to the head of the team and it was collected. The one from a couple days ago makes three dead badgers.

I have contacted the Animal Plant Health Advisory regarding the substance to see what they advise.

I have also pointed out that the council collects and incinerates and that in the first instance I should be contacted and any photos taken forwarded to assess whether a post mortem -and exception- can be carried out to find the cause of death. I also highlighted the need for local cooperation.

We have someone locally so should another dead badger turn up then WE will deal with it.

__________

I am only one person and in a City as big as Bristol we need the people to keep an eye on the environment as well as wildlife. No one was interested in fox deaths and I had to fight for months before post mortems were approved and those are yielding results.

As I have outlined in other posts we are not currently carrying out post mortems on badgers but it may prove necessary.

I posted this on 1st November: Just seen this is messages from this morning: 

"Hello Terry, I’m also a member on the BS16 wildlife group and thought you may be able help. Yesterday morning I spotted (and picked up) what I believe to be a fox poo on Clarence Avenue BS16 filled with a blue substance (colour of rat poison / slug killer). I thought you’d be the person to message as I see you’ve done some investigations of fox distribution over the years and I also have read there have been a lot of suspicious fox deaths lately. I usually don’t post on public pages, but would you recommend I share this in the local FB groups too so people are aware? Thank you, Madeline"

And 2nd Nov:"If you live in BS10 or BS16 please pass the word along. We have no idea what the pellets are but they are obviously being consumed and put out deliberately in an area noted for unusual fox deaths this year. 

I have today contacted South Cloucestershire Council as well as the council environmental department. The lady who reported the blue pelleted scat yesterday was walking along Hermitage Road when she found more (see photo). This now seems to be deliberate baiting and could result in fox, badger or hedgehog death or even the death of a domestic pet.

 Wildlife Incident Investigation Schemwe as well as the chief pathologist at the University PM Services have now been informed, Unfortunately we have no one that could collect the droppings at the moment to hand over to Langford Veterinary School. If you are out and about and spot more of this please alert everyone on group if you can. Thank you

22 Jan Eastville Park: "Does anyone know what this is? Located at the end of Everest Road entrance to the park. There was a lot more of it. I cannot be sure, but it looks like rat poison. Dog walkers beware."

 

South Glos council had no interest in the blue substance despite the possible implications. I have just posted to Friends of Eastville Park asking whetherthey submitted the substance for analysis and as what poisoned the recent fox -bromadiolone- comes in blue pellets I asked anyone spotting blue material to have it removed and stored and get it submitted for analysis. Might just be coincidence but they have a group keeping an eye on the park so just sitting on their asses is not good enough.

I have just posted to Friends of Eastville Park and asked about the pellets again. Last December a badger was found dead near the lake. In January another dead badger was found near the Park entrance pathway. Yesterday (03 02 2022) a third dead badger was found. Natural causes?

Today I had a post mortem report on a Bristol fox found dead at the end of January:

" it is likely that this fox died from exposure to bromadiolone, given the size of this residue and that there were also haemorrhagic findings on post-mortem. The brodifacoum is at a background level only. The source of the bromadiolone is uncertain."

The poison mentioned comes in blue pellet form.

If you find blue pellets near wildlife corridors or anything suspicious report it to the RSPCA or police as a potential wildlife crime.

The Problem of Dead Badgers

 

We are in the position where Bristol has a number of local wildlife groups and three main naturalist groups yet no one has been dealing with badgers. I tried in the 1990s and then 2000s to try to locate the legendary Bristol Badger Watch but Avon Wildlife trust told me they thought it was defunct and the address which led back to the RSPCA was also a dead end.

 After recent badger deaths at one central location it became clear not many people knew about badgers in the City and none, other than some fox feeders who also had badgers on their property, knew of their activity. A dead badger raised alarm calls. A second, which turned out to be the first, started panic talk of a poisoner or disease.

Before we get into any of that let me explain Bristol.

Hanham, Kingswood, Fishponds, Oldbury, Knowle and other areas of the City and County were all once villages -my grandfather, Bill, was born in the village of Hanham just before World War 1 and it was only much later that the extensive rebuilding after WW 2 that a lot of the villages were considered part of the City (Kingswood is in Bristol but due to county boundary changes it is now covered by South Gloucestershire!).

All of these areas that were once countryside villages have maintained green spaces and those are still being fought over to prevent Bristol City Council building on them. Some of the areas are just off the Central Bristol area and badgers have been there...many, many decades despite being surrounded by busy roads.

Most people are shocked that there are "urban badgers" but to be honest they probably had no interest in local wildlife to start with. Whether they see DEFRA (because of culls -though Bristol badgers were innoculated- over TB fears), the snarers, unhinged anti-badger lunatics (oh I have heard of the man wants to kill local badgers and foxes to "Protect my children"!) or badger baiters, those who keep an eye on badgers and their setts do so in as much secrecy as possible to protect them.

In 2021, despite locals in Lockleaze explaining to the council and contractors, right in the middle of breeding season (February to May), badger setts and fox dens, long established, were destroyed. "They'll find somewhere else" is not a justification for what was blatantly a wildlife crime that no one took action over.

Yesterday I was contacted by someone who was observing established badger setts having all ground cover removed which revealed the entrances. I gave advice and asked where the setts were to contact the Avon and Somerset Police wildlife crimes officer -nothing. Today (04 02 2022) I have been told the incident has been reported. However, despite asking again, it seems I am not to be privvy as to "where".  As an update; the person has contacted me and sent photos of the cut back and location and the setts are in a known, established, badger area. 

Above: Badger 1 and badger 2 -actually the same badger that had been moved

The location within Bristol that I am looking at is a huge park. Initially two dead badgers were reported in January but it turns out that someone had moved the dead badger (which no one should do!) and despite people saying they had...no one had reported it to the Council Street Clean team. So just the one. This week a second badger has been found dead and I am now informed that another was reported as being found dead last December.

Is this a normal death rate amongst adult badgers (there are three setts in the area)? What can we do to find out?

Not a lot.

Because of what are seen as the possible biohazard (TB) Health & Safety does not permit post mortem examinations on badgers unless under very specific circumstances. There was to be evidence of some form of wildlife crime or disease and at this point the pathologist would be willing to carry out a PM examinations but outside in his garden due to the possible biohazard.

Badger no. 2 (2022)

Here is where the problems start. Firstly, unlike a dead fox you cannot  simply put it in a black bin liner to transport (Zoe Webber who helps run the Fox Deaths Project is very experienced) to the path lab:

"The bacteriology may be limited but I can do histopathology. The PM will immediately help to rule out RTAs and if I have any suspicion of poisoning I hope NE (Natural England) will accept the samples for toxicology.  Obviously, whoever is collecting the badger should wear a mask, gloves etc and double bag the carcase. Iodophore disinfectant should be used but beware as it stains very easily as it’s iodine based. "

Therefore, if we did have suspicious deaths (say a 4th dead badger at the central location in the next couple of months) it would require someone able to follow procedures and transport any dead badger to the Somerset based pathologist. Could there be a commitment from any members of Bristol's naturalist groups to do this -bear in mind that dead mammals turn up at the most unsocial occasions -bank holidays etc and unlike foxes no lab is going to be willing to handle/chill or freeze a dead badger.

I can record deaths of badgers and that is about it. 

I can be contacted initially on Face Book via the UK National Carnivore Advisory or Bristol Foxes and Badgers pages.

____________________________________________________________________

*addenda to the badger sett destruction noted: "Just had a positive response from (witheld) owners a consortium to stop any developments. He is putting cover back around the set and says will leave alone, seems genuine mistake so give him benifit of doubt.

The British Canid Historical Society and Who We Are

 

I am quite sure that people are asking "Who is running this British Canids Historical Society?" and very likel "How are they qualified?"

For those people here is a little information -BCHS collaborators can be found listed on the page itself.

Firstly, we have the human dynamo and internet whiz...

https://www.blackfoxes.co.uk/

The next member of the trio is yet another female dynamo and naturalist and totally indispensable...

The next member of the BCHS is...me. Looking far more handsome and slimmer in this representation....

I can be found at this blog as well as the At Home With Wild Nature blog https://athomewithwildnature.blogspot.com/

Both Hayley and I contribute articles, news and research update on The Fox Forum

https://onlinefoxforum.wixsite.com/foxes/about

All of the work is paid for "out of pocket" since in the UK there is no funding for most wildlife work. There is a way to donate to help the work continue and, of course, we are always looking out for any unwanted specimens someone might like to donate.

Any questions we have a BCHS Face Book page where we can be contacted.

Trail Cam Roullette

 We are back to that warning about trail cams again.

This month I purchased two -the Xianhu-5

and this piece of junk

Would I recommend them? Absolutely NOT. Two "different manufacturers" and two different cameras.  Both with one fault and that is that they do not take any video footage.

The first type of camera can last around a year if you are lucky. I needed them for field work but I am looking at five of them right now that are in a corner that simply stopped taking images and video with one month or two months. I bought two this month from different Ebay sellers (yes, I know but Amazon has these priced at between £60-90 and other dealers are a little lower but pricey for how unreliable they are) and first one on the first night -nice images -just blank video. 

Instructions in Chinese with nonsensical English. long delay in responding. "We have contacted the Chinese manufacturer...usual rubbish. Eventually return the item. No refund but a replacement non working camera.

Two of the same type of camera from two (I am assuming that it is two seperate companies) and same problem. Faulty. Do not take the risk.

Second more expensive camera: exactly the same problem. Battery changes -nothing. Daylight -no video clips. I contacted the 'UK seller' and it took a long time for to get a reply and they did not understand "The video feature does not work"! So I explained (twice more) then I got the "We have been in touch with the manufacturer in China" (where, luckily, the seller is based -it has a UK warehouse NOT business) and I was sent instructions in Chinese on "what to do" then Chinese and English nonsense instructions. 

Finally I was asked to return the camera so I asked for the return postage to be paid as is stated on the item description. More delays so I send it back to them and tell them its on its way. "How much will it cost?" they asked. I said that it cost me £5.95 as I securely wrapped it. That was it.

A day or so later Ebay sends me a returns label to print out and too late. I have asked the seller if the camera has arrived yet (7 days)...no response.

Am I tempted to buy a more expensive camera? It will have been manufactured in China, too and the problems if you get one not working.... Like I say I have six here that are not working and one I took apart and all the wiring IS connected so the problem obviously is with the manufacturer. Produce cheap rubbish and grab the cash.

 You buy cheap, medium or expensive you get the same design and insides so its a case of trail cam roulette.

British Canid Historical Society

 

The Society believes that a thorough understanding of our relationship with wild canids in the UK both past and present, is vital for the safeguarding of today's ecosystems, ensuring they remain viable for generations to come. 

https://britishcanids.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR2lLETubuldXid7T9mCbaORekLwI75ZTDqEepfBgqQNQqR5ys9jtbmIBhU

Long Grass And Ticks -Live (or die) with it!"

Zoe Webber and myself running the Fox Deaths Project have had to deal with the end result of babesia -dead foxes. How other wildlife is affected in the UK and particularly Bristol we have no idea.

I was not going to say anything about markers on our Fox Deaths map but Zoe picked up on it immediately. All of the foxes with babesia cut straight through the City of Bristol. We need more dead foxes to test but it is striking.

There is a belief that EMF fields can attract and provide a good habitat area for ticks. If you live in Bristol then you know almost every tall building has a radio tower on it. Also, one fox died (we lost the other one) near to the Purdown radio tower (70 metres high and built in 1970).

Based on other information about ticks I suggested to the main three Bristol naturalist groupsthat if anyone had more knowledge and experience and wanted to try a tick survey then the Purdown area would be perfect.

What I got in response was a 'joke' about "ticking" a box every time a tick was found and the "very strong" opinion that every time ticks were mentioned the reaction was to cut down high grass. Polite argument did not sway the responder.

Let me make it clear that I think we need to protect and preserve our environment (I've even been called an "environmental" and "conservation" activist now. I grew up in the UK and loved long grass as well as flower meadows. The same in Germany so I am not an "anti-long grass terrorist" of any kind.

As I pointed out; until someone conducts a survey and finds ticks you cannot put up a "tick awareness" notice as the local authorities want evidence.  So the ticks have to be looked for. Naturalists are supposed to study nature and record and report (I may be one of the last old dinosaurs with that belief it seems -its all pretty birda and butterflies now). 

There is no joke if bitten and you get Lyme disease -and walking a youngster through a meadow and finding him/her has been bitten and contracted Lymes is no joke. The finding (preliminary) that the babesia in foxes cuts through the middle of Bristol and so residential areas is important. "Live with it and keep the grass long" is not the response I expect from naturalists. Perhaps they can read the post mortem reports on the foxes?

Most people habve never heard of Lyme disease let alone babesia so why would they exercise caution -nothing around to warn them at entrances etc.

I throw my hands into the air and swear aloud rather than writing the responses I want to.

Babesia tick from Medical News Today https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/babesia

 Center for Disease Control FAQ on babesia https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/babesiosis/gen_info/faqs.html

What is babesiosis?

Babesiosis is a disease caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells. Many different species (types) of Babesia parasites have been found in animals, only a few of which have been found in people. Babesia microti—which usually infects white-footed mice and other small mammals—is the main species that has been found in people in the United States. Occasional cases caused by other Babesia species have been detected.

How do people get infected with Babesia?

The main way is through the bite of an infected tick.

• Babesia microti is spread by Ixodes scapularis ticks, which are commonly called blacklegged ticks or deer ticks. (Although white-tailed deer are the most important food source for the adult stage of the tick, deer are not infected with B. microti.)
• The parasite typically is spread by the young nymph stage of the tick. Nymphs are mostly found during warm months (spring and summer) in areas with woods, brush, or grass.
• Infected people might not recall a tick bite because I. scapularis nymphs are very small (about the size of a poppy seed).

Other possible ways of becoming infected with Babesia include:
• Receipt of a contaminated blood transfusion (no tests have been licensed yet for donor screening); or
• Transmission from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy or delivery.

Where do most of the cases of babesiosis occur in the United States?

Most cases occur in the Northeast and upper Midwest, particularly in parts of New England, New York state, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. In the Northeast, babesiosis occurs in both inland and coastal areas, including off-shore islands, such as Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard (Massachusetts); Block Island (Rhode Island); and Shelter Island, Fire Island, and eastern Long Island (New York state).

What are the symptoms and signs of Babesia infection?

Many people who are infected with Babesia microti feel fine and do not have any symptoms. Some people develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, or fatigue. Because Babesia parasites infect red blood cells, babesiosis can cause hemolytic anemia (from the destruction of red blood cells).

Babesiosis can be a severe, life-threatening disease, particularly in people who.
• Do not have a spleen;
• Have a weak immune system for other reasons (such as cancer, lymphoma, or AIDS);
• Have other serious health conditions (such as liver or kidney disease); or
• Are elderly.

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How soon after the exposure do symptoms develop?

Symptoms, if any, can start within a week or so. They usually develop within a few weeks or months, sometimes longer.

What should I do if I think I might have babesiosis?

See your health care provider.

How is babesiosis diagnosed in people who have symptoms of the infection?

In symptomatic people, babesiosis usually is diagnosed by examining blood under a microscope and seeing Babesia parasites inside red blood cells. To be sure the diagnosis is correct, your health care provider might have specimens of your blood tested by a specialized reference laboratory (such as at CDC or a health department). In addition, your health care provider might decide to have your blood tested for other possible causes of your symptoms, including other tickborne infections, such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.

I have been diagnosed with babesiosis. Do I need to tell CDC?

No. It is not necessary for you to report your case to your health department or CDC.

Reportable conditions are diseases that physicians and/or laboratories must report to their state health department. Babesiosis is reportable in some states but not in others. If babesiosis is reportable in your state, the appropriate authority (a physician, hospital, or laboratory) will submit the necessary information to the health department.

Can babesiosis be treated?

Yes. Effective treatments are available. People who do not have symptoms or signs of babesiosis usually do not need to be treated. The first step is to make sure the diagnosis is correct.

Can babesiosis be prevented?

Yes. People can take steps to prevent babesiosis and other tickborne infections. The use of prevention measures is particularly important for people at increased risk for severe babesiosis (for example, people who do not have a spleen). If possible, areas infested with ticks should be avoided, especially during warm months. If such areas cannot be avoided, use protective measures during outdoor activities. See the Prevention and Control page for tips, such as checking yourself daily for ticks. The tiny I. scapularis ticks that spread B. microti usually must stay attached to a person for more than 36–48 hours to be able to transmit the parasite. Daily tick checks can prevent transmission of the parasite.

No vaccine is available to protect people against babesiosis.

No vaccine is available to protect people against babesiosis.