"Chemicals have replaced bacteria and viruses as the main threat to health. The diseases we're beginning to see as the major causes of death in the latter part of this century and into the 21st century are diseases of chemical origin."

 

Dick Irwin, toxicologist at Texas A&M Universities

DDT Pesticide

The pesticide was aimed at the midges but killed far more.................................

These Western Grebes were effected by a pesticide that was not meant for them and was supposed to be safe.

 

Clear Lake

Clear Lake, California was a popular resort for bathers and anglers but also a breeding ground for a non-biting midge. 

In 1949 DDD - a close relative of DDT - was used as an insecticide to kill the midges. The volume of the lake was calculated and 1 part of DDD was added to 70 million parts of water.  99% of the midges were killed, but over the next few years numbers began to rise again.

In 1954 the spraying was repeated at a slightly higher concentration which killed most of the midges. 

However, following this application over a hundred of the Western Grebes which nested on the lake were found dead. Following a third treatment in 1957 more Western Grebes were found dead. 

There was no evidence of infectious disease, but the fatty tissue of the birds showed the amount of DDD averaged 1600mg per kg of fat; a bio magnification factor of 114,000 compared to the DDD in the water During this time, the anglers had been eating their catches. 

Although the authorities believed that the DDD posed no health risk to humans, in 1959 they banned any further spraying. 

Since then it has been discovered that DDD strongly suppresses the normal function of the human adrenal cortex.

 

• Other concerns are

 

• . Studies show that the growth of young birds can be stunted in areas where insecticides have been used heavily.
• . Developmental and behavioral effects in various animal species
• . Associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• . Reproductive and endocrine disruptions.
• . Associated with a cancer in dogs (canine malignant lymphoma)
• . Increased number of abnormal sperm in exposed farmers.
• . Decreased fertility in male rats.

 

 

ABOUT US

 

We are a small organisation that treat, cares and rehabilitates all wildlife that comes to us via local vets, individuals and from our website. Emergency services and other organisations also generate wildlife casualties that need immediate care and need to be nursed back to health.

We treat a multitude of injuries and last year we responded to over 1600 incidents and that number is on the increase. Sometimes, sadly it’s inevitable that some of these wonderful animals don’t survive but our success rate is extremely high as we are very experienced at re-introducing them to their natural environment . Read More

 

education education education education education

 

As well as working on the front line we give talks and show our stunning wildlife to a variety of groups and schools - Wildlife Rocks Me Talks. We believe that a better understanding of these creatures will promote not only tolerance but a willingness to integrate them into our lives.

 

Children will become the custodians of our planet and we hope, through our talks, will have a better understanding of and take an interest in our wonderful wildlife as they take on that ultimate role.

 

We raise funds by donations, our newsletter, attending County Shows, Car boot sales, selling on eBay, Fairs, and our shop.

 

There are many ways you can help us

 

See if you can help us by clicking here - Can You Help Us . From hands on volunteering to clicking at home we need all sorts of help and all sorts of people to join our small and crazy team.