Croc deaths cracked
By PAUL JACKSON
03sep06

SCIENTISTS believe they may have found what is causing the deaths of thousands of baby crocodiles in captivity in the Top End.

<a href="http://mercury.tiser.com.au/accipiter/adclick/CID=0000260013e3261e00000000/acc_random=16814267/SITE=NTN/AREA=NEWS.STATE/AAMSZ=300X250/pageid=38591626"> <img src="http://saturn.tiser.com.au/images/BadDriver_300x250.gif" alt="" width="300" height="250" border="0"> </a>

The eye and throat disease has killed the young farmed crocodiles at four of the Top End's five crocodile farms in recent weeks.

"Preliminary data suggests the unusually cold dry season and exposure of hatchlings to older disease-carrying crocodiles are factors contributing to the outbreak," veterinary pathologist Dr Ian Jerrett said.

"Chlamydial infection is present at a low level in crocodiles under normal conditions. Our research suggests it develops into a serious disease in susceptible hatchlings under conditions of cold stress or temperature fluctuations and simultaneous exposure to the organism.

"We believe the infection is then spread by direct contact or transmission through water.

"Further testing will occur and we hope to establish the origin during the next few weeks. In the meantime, we are constantly in touch with the affected crocodile farms."

Staff at the Diagnostic Division of the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines at Berrimah are working with researchers from Queensland and Victoria to examine the disease, which is believed to be a strain unique to saltwater crocodiles.

DNA analysis will compare the organism found in crocodiles with chlamydia in birds and other species.

Berrimah veterinary epidemiologist Dr Francois Human said temperatures have been below average during the dry season this year -- and may have caused stress in the reptiles.

"The immune system of young crocodiles is compromised when the pen temperature falls below 28C," Dr Human said.

"While we do not rule out a link with wild birds, we think it unlikely."
Croc deaths cracked

-----
My Website
www.herpfanatic.com