Adventure Ausrama Blog

Do you want to see natural selection at work? Oddly it isn't really natural. Humans have been selecting for the most suitable domesticated animals for thousands of years. Farm animals today are much different from the wild type we first caught. While chickens are tagged for their fearfulness, they are not scared of people at all. Sure they get out of your way, but that is about it. Six gene variants are functioning in domestic chickens. These do not operate in their wild relative the red junglefowl. Consequently, the fowl is jumpy and flighty when put in farm conditions. Cows in the slaughter yard know what is going to happen. Nonetheless, they do not scramble to get out. However, horses do not fit this pattern. They can be taken from the wild, broken in, then spend the rest of lives with people. Something done by God perhaps? I don't think so. ◆ Genetics by Ty Buchanan   ◆ Adventure Australia Funny Animal Photos Funny Weird Things Articles News...

Horses are not native to Australia. Over the centuries domesticated horses have run wild across the land. The wild "breed" of horses are called Brumbies. Like the introduced camels they reach pest proportions. Environmentalists usually kick up a fuss when it is decided to carry out a cull. However, this is necessary as they do not have natural predators here. Horses, donkeys and camels are dying of starvation as the land will not support the numbers. It is more humane to shoot them. farmers establish water points for cattle and sheep. The wild animals hang around water holes and eventually destroy them. Consequently, native species are dying from lack of water. Culling is being done from helicopters. The shooters are very accurate and there is no suffering. Unfortunately, it is necessary to leave the animals where they die because it is too expensive to take them to an abattoir to use as pet food. It is a pity really. Ancestors of the horses were used by the Aus...

The Hendra virus was first identified in 1994. It killed horses and several veterinary scientists. Oddly, this deadly disease has only appeared in Australia. This is very unusual. Diseases tend to spread across national borders. Outbreaks are spasmodic. Horses in Queensland and New South Wales have died recently in the latest outbreak. Scientists are intensively examining all aspects of the Hendra virus. A dog was found to be a carrier. Though unaffected and quite healthy the dog had to be put down. Promising results have been obtained by using human antibody m102.4 on monkeys who were intentionally infected. The animals remained well for three days before needing treatment. All of the subjects survived. A control group of monkeys who were not given the antibody died. Though unproven, the ailment is believed to be carried and spread by bats. A similar bat borne disease is widespread in India, Bangladesh and Malaysia. The Asian Nipah ailment identified in 1998 is of interes...

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