jueves, 6 de diciembre de 2007

Actividades: CIRCE:

Participa como asistente de investigación con CIRCE. Comparte 12 días con investigadores en el Estrecho de Gibraltar, ayudándoles en sus proyectos de investigación.

Sólo se aceptan 4 asistentes por periodo de manera que el aprendizaje está garantizado!

Fechas: del 7 de Mayo al 7 de Septiembre.
Precio: 950 euros (con alojamiento incluido).

LINKS:

http://www.circe-asso.org/spanish/index.html?ecotour_esp.html&1

Actividades: Charla virus cetáceos!

Conferencia: "Virus en Cetáceos. Nuevas perspectivas".

Lugar de celebración: Salón de Actos de la Facultad de Veterinaria de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

Fecha: lunes 10 de Diciembre.

Hora: 17:00-19:00 h.

Ponente: Fernando Eperón.

Organiza: Asociación BALAENA.

No os lo perdáis! la conferencia se centrará sobre todo en herpesvirus y morbillivirus (desgraciadamente tan de moda).

Actualidad: Nueva especie de delfín!

Orcaella heinsohni


Investigadores australianos anunciaron hace un par de años, el descubrimiento de una nueva especie de delfín hallado en costas poco profundas al norte de Australia.



Estos delfines, inicialmente confundidos con el delfín de Irrawaddy (Orcaella brevirostris), muy común en las zonas costeras y los principales ríos de Asia y el norte de Australia.



La nueva especie "Snubfin dolphin"(por su nariz chata y su marcada aleta dorsal), y en castellano, delfín de Heinsohn (Orcaella heisohni), fue identificada oficialmente gracias a investigaciones genéticas efectuadas en California.



"Existen claras diferencias entre ambas poblaciones que no habían sido reconocidas antes y que fueron confirmadas mediante estudios de ADN", indicó Isabel Beasley, responsable de la investigación de la Universidad James Cook de Townsville, Australia. Beasley indicó que es imposible estimar cuántos delfines conforman esta nueva especie, ya que aún no se conoce mucho acerca de ella. Sin embargo, se sospecha que existen cerca de 200 en las costas del estado de Queensland. Advirtió que esta especie de delfines está amenazada por las actividades humanas porque viven en aguas costeras poco profundas."Esto significa que Australia tiene ahora una especie endémica viviendo en sus costas lo cuál, le otorga prioridad en el tema de conservación".



Como principales amenazas destaca la captura accidental en artes de pesca y el impacto del desarrollo costero.



Beasley comenzó a estudiar estos delfines después de notar varias diferencias entre el tamaño y el color de los delfines asiáticos y los australianos. Los delfines australianos snubfins presentan tres colores distintos en el cuerpo, que van del marrón oscuro al blanco, mientras que el asiático tiene un color grisáceo uniforme y el vientre blanco. Asimismo, se midió el tamaño de sus cráneos y las medidas externas de su cuerpo.



El nombre científico de esta nueva especie se eligió en honor al investigador George Heinsohn, quien examinó los restos de delfines depositados por la marea en las playas australianas, entre la década del 1960 y la 1970, y cuyas primeras investigaciones fueron clave para declarar esta nueva especie.



Probablemente esta especie no aparezca ni en vuestras guías de campo!



LINKS:



http://dualcitycriptozoologia.blogspot.com/

Actualidad: lucha por el delfín de Irrawady!










Orcaella brevirostris

Naciones Unidas y el Gobierno camboyano emprendieron hoy el proyecto para evitar la extinción del delfín del Irrawaddy (Orcaella brevirostris), considerado el rey del río Mekong y del que quedan cerca de un centenar de ejemplares.
El proyecto consiste en dotar a los pescadores camboyanos de los medios necesarios para convertirse en guías turísticos fluviales y en vigilantes de las actividades de los delfines que bajan por el río Mekong hasta el lago Tonle Sap, en la región central de Camboya. Con esta iniciativa las autoridades camboyanas y los ecologistas confían que los pescadores abandonen su oficio y sus dañinas artes de pesca, principal causa de la desaparición de los delfines y de los peces, sus presas. Estos delfines, al vivir en aguas poco profundas, quedan frecuentemente enmallados en redes.

"Los pescadores recibirán incentivos para lleven a los turistas a ver los delfines, y en vez de pescar, vender refrescos y comida a los visitantes", indicó la Organización Mundial de Turismo (OMT). De esta manera, los pescadores convertirán su negocio pesquero, en un negocio de respetuoso whalewatching.
Otra de las amenazas a las que se ha enfrentado este cetáceo es la cautividad, dado su carisma, aunque actualmente pocos delfinarios consienten mantenerlos cautivos dado su alto grado de amenaza.
El delfín del Irrawaddy, descubierto en 1866, y cuyo pariente más cercano podría ser la orca (Orcinus orca) mide al nacer cerca de un metro y en su madurez alcanza los 2,3 metros llegando a pesar hasta 130 kilos. Este cetáceo se encuentra críticamente amenazado (IUCN).

El intento de cambiar el modo de vida de la amplia comunidad de pescadores del lago Tonle Sap, se lleva a cabo tras el veloz declive de peces en esas aguas a causa de la construcción de presas chinas en la parte alta del río Mekong, que nace en el Tíbet y desemboca en el Mar de China. Los afluentes del río Mekong bañan partes de Birmania (Myanmar), Tailandia y Vietnam.

LINKS:



domingo, 2 de diciembre de 2007

Eventos internacionales: París!

The conference Acoustics'08 Paris organized by the ASA, the EAA and the SFA, will take place in Paris (France) from June 29 to July 4, 2008.

It integrates two major European conferences: euronoise (noise control) and ecua (underwater acoustics).

During this meeting the 60th anniversary of the SFA as well as the 50th anniversary of the NURC (NATO Undersea, Research Center).

http://www.acoustics08-paris.org/

Eventos Internacionales: Suecia!

The 2008 European Association for Aquatic Mammals Annual Conference will be held in Kolmården, Sweden from 7-10 March 2008.

Please visit for more information about accommodations and the preliminary program:
http://www.kolmarden.com/templates/otherlanguage.aspx?page_id=293

The EAAM encourages authors to submit oral and poster abstracts for the next symposium. All topics related to marine mammal science and husbandry will be acceptable: conservation, education, medicine, practical aspects of husbandry, etc. However, for the 36th Symposium, EAAM especially encourages presentations on all aspects of work with aquatic mammals related to conservation of wild marine mammal populations. Students should feel particularly encouraged to submit their work for oral or poster presentations: following EAAM's tradition, an Award for the Best Student Presentation will be given.

* Visita la página de EAAM y encontrarás ofertas de voluntariado, empleo y estancias en distintas instituciones en Europa!

http://www.eaam.org/home-page/

Actividades: Cursos BDRI.

The Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute - BDRI offers comprehensive and intensive Bottlenose Dolphin Research Courses (BDRC) during the 2008 Winter Season for motivated individuals, who are seeking thorough training in approaches to the study of free ranging wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). We invite you to join our ongoing study of the behaviour, habitat use and social lives of these amazing dolphins on the Emerald Coast, Sardinia Island (Italy).

These intensive educational courses provide experience in specialized non-invasive research techniques, consisting of field sessions and lectures. The courses will last 6 or 13 days, and - weather permitting - we will be out on the water at least during 4 or 8 of these days respectively. Although our project focuses primarily on bottlenose dolphins, you will also experience the complex Mediterranean coastal ecosystem in which we live and work.

BDRI field courses provide invaluable exposure to boat based field work, marine mammals research, intensive training and mentoring in marine ecology, and encouragement to work hard, have fun, and learn from the dolphins and each other. Learning, at its best, should be an active process, one in which the students are challenged on a daily basis with responsibilities that play a large part in the outcome of the research projects. Working with us and our staff, you will rotate between tasks on land and sea. Onboard our research vessel (Spartana) you will work together with our team in search of cetaceans. To refine details of bottlenose dolphin population biology and responses to human activities at sea, we will take identification photos, observe behaviour, and monitor vocalizations using a hydrophone.

Research courses can be used for academic or vocational purposes, but students are solely responsible for making all arrangements for receiving relevant credit(s) as a result of completing the training course.

BDRI's courses give an insight into the workings of a research team, and provide experience in a wide range of areas including scientific data collection, analysis and presentation; giving public talks and much more.

To be successful participants in this project, students should have open minds, flexibility in changing situations, and a desire to help and to learn. All classes will be in a form of both (a) lectures that will lead to more "informal" discussion, hopefully ending with a constructive brainstorming on the specific topic, as well as (b) instructions with hand on practical component, especially when it involves field techniques.
  • Course 1. Bottlenose dolphin: Field methods in the wild (1st Team: 28 January; 2nd Team: 24 March)
  • Course 2. Study of bottlenose dolphin behaviour (11 February)
  • Course 3. Bottlenose dolphins Photo-identification & Social structure course (1st Team: 25 february; 2nd Team: 31 March)
  • Course 4. Bioacoustics of bottlenose dolphins in the wild (10 March)

Further information, fees and how to apply can be found on our website www.thebdri.com or by e-mail at info@thebdri.com

Empleo: Veterinario.

VETERINARY INTERNSHIP / RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN AQUATIC ANIMAL MEDICINE AT MYSTIC AQUARIUM

With the assistance of both external and in-house funding, the Department of Animal Health of Mystic Aquarium, a division of Sea Research Foundation, is sponsoring a one-year internship/research opportunity in aquatic animal medicine.
Applicants for the internship should be graduates of an AVMA accredited veterinary college or ECFVG certified.

Preference will be given to applicants with graduate degrees and/or postgraduate clinical experience in a practice or internship setting. Entry level familiarity with ultrasound, radiology, and endoscopy systems is expected.

The stipend for the position is expectedto be > $26,000 per annum plus benefits.

The successful applicant will assist the veterinary, research, and husbandry staffs in the diagnosis and treatment of medical cases from the Aquarium's extensive collection of invertebrates, freshand saltwater fishes, reptiles, amphibians, penguins, seals, sea lions, and beluga whales.

In addition the intern will participate in our rescue, rehabilitation, and release program for stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. Collateral opportunities at cooperating area academic, government, and private industry laboratories are possible and encouraged.

The intern may have an opportunity to develop teachings kills by his/her involvement in the Aquarium's veterinary externship program and at informal seminars. The intern will be expected to pursue one or more clinical or research interests and to prepare the results for presentation to our staff and at an appropriate professional meeting as well as for publication in the peer reviewed literature. Past interns have gone on to acceptance into well-recognized graduate/residency programs or employment in the field of aquatic, comparative, or zoological medicine.

Applicants should submit the following material to:

DR. ALLISON D. TUTTLE
STAFF VETERINARIAN MYSTIC AQUARIUM
55 COOGAN BLVD. MYSTIC, CT 06355

1. A current transcript from the veterinary school and any post baccalaureate program which he/she has attended.
2. Three letters of recommendation from individualsf amiliar with the applicant's academic performance and his/her potential in the clinical and research areas.
3. A statement reflecting the applicant's goals in the area of aquatic animal medicine and research.
4. A current curriculum vitae or resume.

Potential applicants who will be in the southern New England area are encouraged to contact us for a tour of our facilities and a chance to meet with our staff. All application materials must be received prior to 01 January 2008. The successful applicant will be chosen and notified by 10 Jan 2008 and must commit to the position within 72 hours.

The internship period will extend ~ from 1 June 2008 through ~15 June 2009. With prior agreement by both parties an additional year in the program may be possible.

Additional information may be obtained by calling Dr. Tuttle at 860-572-5955, or by e-mail at Atuttle@MYSTICAQUARIUM.ORG.

A general orientation to our facility and programs can be obtained by viewing our web page
http://www.mysticaquarium.org

Actividades: cursos de Veterinaria.

Aquatic Medical Education (AME) *Specialized Training for the Aquatic Health Practitioner offers four courses providing veterinary professionals and students with specialized training in health care, management and husbandry of aquatic species ranging from invertebrates to marine mammals.

  • Diseases of Warmwater Fish - Two week course providing in-depth instruction in the methodology of diagnosis and treatment of parasitic, bacterial, viral, nutritional and environmental diseases of warmwater fish and aquarium species.

http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ame/wwf/index.html

  • Advanced Fish Medicine - Six-day course offering intensive hands-on training in the latest techniques including anesthesia, hematology, nutritional therapy, imaging, histopathology and surgery. Only those with prior education and experience in fish diagnostics and health management are accepted into the course.

http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ame/afm/index.html

  • SeaVet I - Two-week course providing an introduction to marine mammal biology, natural history and captive husbandry.

http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ame/seaveti/index.html

  • SeaVet II - Six-day course, providing advanced instruction in management of Florida's megavertebrates. Only those with prior education and experience with marine mammals are accepted into this course.

http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ame/seavet2/index.html

For more information about AME, visit our web site at:

http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ame

Eventos Internacionales: Florida!

Florida Marine Mammal Health Conference III

22-25 April, 2008.
The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Marineland, Florida and St. Augustine Beach, Florida.

Scientists, veterinarians, managers, policy makers, planners and partners who are actively involved in and/or affected by all aspects of marine mammal health and welfare will interact in an interdisciplinary setting to summarize and review state-of-the-art science, healthcare, and management activities, and to formulate goals and strategies for improvements.

Call for Abstracts: You are invited to submit abstracts on all topics relevant to marine mammal health and we encourage you to share your results and experiences. Abstracts are due no later than January 10, 2008 and must be submitted electronically via the online submission form posted on the conference web site.

For conference information or to submit an abstract, visit us at:

www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/marinemammal