Subject:  Parrot deaths (Benson)
Date:     Mon, 7 Feb 2000 210719 -0600 (CST)
From:     "Roy L. Beavers" 
To:       emfguru 
--------------------------------------------------

.......These creatures seem to show a definite 'aversion' to
"electromagnetic chips."  ......Not unlike the canary in the coal
mine......????

Roy Beavers (EMFguru)
roy@emfguru.com

.....It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.....
                    NEW!!! Website... http://emfguru.com
...................People are more important than profits.................

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2000 12:53:51 +1100 
From: "Benson, Sarah (Sen L. Allison)" 
To: "'rbeavers@llion.org'" 
Subject: Parrot deaths

Here is an excerpt from an article in The Age, 8/2/2000, page 5 that should
be of interest. 

'Sick as a parrot: deaths halt DNA program'

by Greg Roberts
Brisbane

An experimental program using DNA technology to tackle illegal trafficking
in Australian wildlife has been suspended after the deaths of several
endangered birds and reptiles.

Under the scheme, owners of some rare wildlife species in Queensland were
required to implant electromagnetic chips under under the animals skin and
to DNA test them.

The DNA profiles were provided to enforcement agencies, which were then able
to identify animals caught in the wild by their non-matching DNA.
But several animals have died during after or during treatment.

The casualties include black cockatoos and two endangered species, a green
python and four golden-shouldered parrots.

The owner of the one of the parrots said her bird "just dropped dead" a day
after being implanted.

The program, which was being followed closely by the NSW, Victorian and
federal governments has been suspended indefinitely.

Mr Des Boyland, the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service's policy
director, said: "We will rebview the situation to determine if there is any
future role for DNA in wildlife management."

The deaths have prompted criticism  of the scheme from veterinarians and
aviculturists.

Dr Danny Brown, a Sunshine Coast vet who refused to offer services for
implanting, said the scheme said the scheme was ill-conceived. "If you are
trying to save a species like the golden-shouldered parrot, even one death
is obviously wrong," he said.

[snip] 





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