Research in Action: Santa Catalina Island foxes
After a catastrophic population decline of about 95 percent, only about 100 island foxes survive on Santa Catalina Island. Santa Catalina Island foxes have an unusually high prevalence of ear canal cancer, whereas foxes on the other Catalina islands are not affected. With previous funding from Morris Animal Foundation, scientists from the University of California–Davis determined that ear mites cause inflammation that may play a role in the development of ear canal cancer. In this study, scientists treated foxes on Santa Catalina Island for ear mites to assess whether treatment can reduce inflammation and ultimately prevent ear canal cancer in this endangered population. Read more about the results.
Co-investigator Dr. Winston Vickers recently wrote: “As the result of your support of this study and our earlier one, we have been able to develop collaborations that are continuing to evaluate the roles of the immune response, fox genetics and mite genetics in the development of this ear cancer. … We are also working with the Catalina Island Conservancy to evaluate the feasibility of treatment strategies that would produce long-term reductions in ear mite burdens in the fox population, and result in overall lower levels of ear canal inflammation and cancer. … It is our sincere hope that through better understanding of the mechanisms of this cancer, we can produce long-term improvement in the health of the Catalina Island fox population.”
Calvin Duncan with a fox pup. Dr. Vickers takes a biopsy. Dr. Vickers taking a mite sample.
Posted by MAFon May 6, 2011.
Categories: Animal health, Animal studies, Wildlife health
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