Changes in attitudes toward wildlife and wildlife meats in Hunan Province,central China,before and after the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak

Two surveys of opinions about wildlife conservation were carried out in Hunan Province, China, before and after the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic. Hunan is the northern neighbor of Guangdong Province, where the first SARS case was reported. The custom of consuming wild meat was not common in Hunan 30 years ago. However, in recent years, consumption of wildlife such as snakes has spread to northern China. We handed out 1300 questionnaires between 22 February and 10 May 2002, before the SARS epidemic. Survey sites included the provincial capital, major cities, towns, and villages in Hunan. Another 1300 questionnaires were distributed between 10 March and 10 May 2004, after the SARS epidemic. The 2004 survey covered the same sites as the 2002 survey. Questionnaire recovery rates for the 2002 and 2004 surveys were 81.2% and 84.6%, respectively. The valid return rate was 73.0%. Frog, snake, hare, and pheasant were the wild meats most frequently eaten by local people. At the time of the first survey, more than 80% of interviewees claimed to have eaten frogs. That number had reduced to 60% by the time of the second survey. Monkey, Chinese pangolin, and bear paw were the wild meats least frequently eaten. Although palm civet was suspected to be the carrier of SARS, it was interesting to note that, after the SARS epidemic, the proportion of people surveyed who ate palm civets had declined only slightly. The results of the surveys indicate a low level of conservation consciousness; however, after the SARS and bird flu epidemics, there were obvious changes in the conservation consciousness of people in Hunan Province. We recommend some measures that could be taken to change the habits of people who consume wildlife.     

哈默教授眼中的中国养猪业

未来10年,中国动物蛋白的消费将成倍增长,而这种增长需要依靠高效率和高性能的生产得以实现。现代高效率养猪业依赖于学科的综合应用,这必将使养猪业经历一场技术革新,使得产品在产量、质量和生产效率等方面得到改善。在过去的5年时间里,哈默国际工作网络的专家组足迹已踏遍中国的大江南北,并先后与国内近20家饲料企业建立合作关系。他们将先进的技术和管理理念引入中国,在一定程度上加速了中国养猪业的发展。那么,这些国外动物营养专家如何看待中国的养猪业?在全球逐步一体化的今天,我们在产品技术的研发方面应该做哪些准备?面对动物疫情频发而食品安全呼声愈加强烈的矛盾,我们又该如何解决这一问题?《中国畜牧杂志》携您一起走近哈默,再次审视中国养猪业。     

Common procedures and concerns with wildlife.

Wildlife patients have special needs compared with pet patients in regard to handling and restraint, the importance of the stress response, physical examination, and neonatal concerns. Because many wildlife patients present with wounds and fractures, a good understanding of the pathophysiology of these processes is also important. The primary goal of all wildlife rehabilitation procedures is the ultimate release of the animal back into its natural environment.     

Epizootic of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in a wildlife park.

An epizootic attributable to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection was confirmed in captive ruminants in a wildlife park by microbiologic and histologic findings. An epornitic of Y pseudotuberculosis infection was identified at the same period in a vicinity near the ruminant deaths. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis can infect human beings and cause acute enteritis and mesenteric lymphadenitis. People in contact with infected animals should use extreme caution and use good sanitary precautions to preclude transmission of this agent.