Jun
24
2009
Tumors are an emerging concern for wildlife conservation
Cancer is typically thought to be a very human problem. If researchers worry about tumors in wildlife at all, it is probably to model the human version.
But cancer is becoming a growing conservation concern, even threatening some species with extinction, according to a paper in Nature Cancer Reviews. The case of the Tasmanian devil is a prime example. A contagious facial tumor disease has already decimated the species. What’s unique is the ongoing all out effort to save the remaining tumor-free individuals. Not every species is so lucky.
Virus-induced cancers pose another threat. High rates of genital tumors in California sea lions and some dolphin species are limiting their ability to reproduce, for example. In addition, humans are increasing some cancer risk, especially for aquatic species living in dirty waterways. For beluga whales in the polluted St. Lawrence River system, unusually high numbers of intestinal cancer are the second leading cause of death.
These examples illustrate how cancer can actually limit a species’ population, the authors write. The list is short because often wildlife health monitoring is poor. Ramping up efforts could better safeguard both wildlife and human health, they note. – Jessica Leber
Source: McAloose, D. and A.L. Newton. 2009. Wildlife cancer: a conservation perspective. Nature Reviews Cancer DOI: 10.1038/nrc2665
Image © Eraxion, iStockphoto.com
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