Poisoning ruled out in Kuiburi gaur death



BANGKOK: -- The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation now officially ruled out poisoning as the cause of deaths of 29 gaurs in Kuiburi national park in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Department deputy director-general Niphon Chotibal said a total of 25 gaurs were found dead in the park from December 2013-January this year and latest finding of four other carcasses from May until June 8 also showed no traces of poisoning.

Of the 29 carcasses it found, five died of natural cause from hunting animals, and one of foot-and-mouth disease.

Several other corpses also revealed bacterial infections such as ana plasma, clostridium novyi bacteria.

He said bacterial infection caused death to gaurs in the park because they were not sicked with this kind of bacterial infections before and therefore had not developed immune system in them.

Lboratory tests by the Livestock’s Department and Mahidol university of carcasses, water and food sources in the park also revealed no traces of poisoning.

He said a joint survey of the gaur population by the department, the Livestock department, Mahidol university, and animal research centres nationwide in a 10,000 rai plot of areas in Kuiburi national park showed 81 gaurs wandering for food in the areas.

Blood test of deer and hog deer also showed no traces of disease and all animals in the area are still wandering for food as usual.

However two gaurs were found to be infected with foot-and-mouth disease, but one of them is still wandering with no sign of sickness, indicating it has developed immunity against the disease.

But what was interesting in the survey was the discovery of 10-15 cubs of 2-3 months-old among the wandering herd, indicating a good sign of young animals were born and replaced the dead animals.

Normally young animals have no resistance to sickness but the finding of cubs in the herd showed they have building immunity against disease.

He said to keep the gaurs from being infected by carriers, all vehicles and staff and visitors entering the park must be undergo prevention and control of infection.

Such measure is required for the park to undertake in 45 days before opening it to visitors, he added.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/poisoning-ruled-kuiburi-gaur-death/


-- Thai PBS 2014-06-10

What a crock of figures. Thay have no idea, so why not just admit it? What's so difficult to say 'we don't really know'?

"Of the 29 carcasses it found, five died of natural cause from hunting animals, and one of foot-and-mouth disease."

Hunting animals ? Are they saying they were killed by a tiger or something ?

Do they have tigers there ?

If the authorities want to get to the bottom of this, they will need complete autopsies on as-fresh-as-possible cadavres. Someone who knows what to look for in wildlife/large animal organs, what samples to take, where to send them, and how to apply basic epidemiological investgative principles.

There is an increasingly sophisticated understanding of 'emerging diseases', including SARS and Hendra virus. It is possible that environmental stresses can promote such disease events. Improved detection techniques can identify such diseases, that perhaps have not been recognised.

This retired vet pathologist offers his services for free. AA

Do they poop on any Farangs lawn?

"officially ruled out poisoning as the cause of deaths of 29 gaurs in Kuiburi national park in Prachuap Khiri Khan." I also was sure these gaurs committed suicide.

"Of the 29 carcasses it found, five died of natural cause from hunting animals, and one of foot-and-mouth disease."

Hunting animals ? Are they saying they were killed by a tiger or something ?

Do they have tigers there ?

Yes there are still tigers there. And I think that is the predator they mean. I think none of the other large predators would go for an adult Gaur, except maybe the Dhole (aka Asian Wild Dog). These hunt in packs. Though capable, Dholes attacking adult Gaurs is quite rare. I guess they would more likely take calves.

Besides these two predators, Asiatic Leopard and Asiatic Black Bear occur in the area, but even though powerful creatures, I don't think they would ever attempt attacking a Gaur, maybe a calf, but even that I think is rare.

So I suppose they have found the big puncture holes of the tiger teeth in the animals' throats.

But what did the park authorities do upon finding the carcasses that were killed by a predator?

If a tiger kills a Gaur he is not going to leave it for the flies...

If most of these deaths are caused by disease or infections, hopefully the immune systems of these rather fragile populations catch up as soon as possible.

At least, if we can believe the reports, it is good to hear that it is not poisoning by humans.