03.07.2007

Kindly help to investigate the causes of death!

Dear Stork Friends;

You can support our work in two ways:

- through a financial donation to NABU-Calau (Nature Protection Association in Calau, Germany). Only with your help will we be able to sustain the hitherto existing extent of the protection of storks and environmental improvement. NABU-Calau participates financially and organizationally in the investigation aspergillosis (a mould fungus infection of the breathing tract) within the stork community. This is only possible with further support from you. And, of course, we also would like to stay with www.storchennest.de in the Internet - it's a promise! Under "Support us!" you will find the necessary information.

- through the involvement to clear up the causes of death of white storks Mr. Philip Weps (Veterinarian) of the Institute for Animal Pathology at the Free University Berlin undertakes investigations of aspergillosis. It is the goal of this study to get a survey of the causes of death, in particular of the occurring etiologic agents, and, in conjunction with this, arrive at an estimate of the status of danger faced by white storks. during the past years the cases of death among stork nestlings aspergillosis a significant role.

In many instances it led to the fatal loss of the whole brood. During the study the dead eggs, chicks and deceased parent storks will be tested for numerous bacteriological, virological, mycological and pathological substances to isolate the causative agent. In addition, during banding of the nestlings, blood and swab specimen will be gathered.

Furthermore, the nest material, and if possible, potential nest materials of the surrounding area of the eyrie are to be included in the investigations. This opens the possibility to demonstrate the connections to the occurrence of an agent, and to eradicate the

proven sources of danger. For this study we need the active cooperation of stork caretakers and "Foster Stork Parents". Preferably all died off eggs, dead chicks and deceased parent storks should be included in the study to arrive at a conclusion based on science.

Kindly report deceased animals and died off eggs. These can

be picked up, but you may also send them in.

Contact address:

Philipp Weps (Veterinarian)
Institut für Tierpathologie der Freien Universität Berlin
Robert-von-Ostertag-Straße 15
14163 Berlin
Telephone: 030-838-62459
Mobile telephone (including weekends): 0179-5208749
E-Mail: weps.philipp@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Further information and a enclosure form you will find in the attachment.

Winfried Boehmer
NABU Project Leader

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