Global News - April 2008
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US birds threatened by river pollutants
Mon 21 April 2008 14:00 UK — North America,Birds
New research from the US has suggested that birds near the South River in Virginia are at risk of extinction because mercury from the polluted water is still getting into their food chain.
In an article in the journal Science, researchers from The College of William & Mary showed that songbirds feeding near the contaminated South River were still showing high levels of mercury, despite the fact they were not eating directly from the waterway.
The scientists said they had discovered that the mercury was entering the food chain via spiders eaten by the birds.
One of the researchers, Dan Cristol, explained: "In bodies of water affected by mercury, it's always been assumed that only birds or wildlife that ate fish would be in danger.
"But we've now opened up the possibility that mercury levels could be very high in the surrounding terrestrial habitat, as well.
"It's not just about the fish, the people who eat the fish and the animals that eat the fish. We've also got to look at a strip of habitat all the way around the lake or river that is affected."
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November 2008
A win for greyhounds in Massachusetts
On 4 November the people of Massachusetts, USA voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Greyhound Protect Act. This legislation will phase out commercial dog racing in the state by 2010.
October 2008
Help the Street Animals of Morocco (HSAM)
International Animal Rescue has twice assisted with the treatment of cats and dogs in Morocco by a group of local and foreign volunteers. The initiative was led by vet nurse Claire Sedgewick. She has produced a report describing their work.
October 2008
Sainsbury's seal protest update
On 29 October we entered discussions with Sainsbury's officials and now await a favorable response to our demands for a statement of their intention to stop killings seals.
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