Logging Behind Vampire Bat Attacks - 15 Human Rabies Deaths In Brazil

[hatrack]

"Rapid deforestation and the resulting loss of habitat for vampire bats is to blame for an unprecedented outbreak of rabies in a north-eastern province of the Amazon basin, according to Brazilian officials.

Rabies has so far claimed 15 lives around Portel, a sparsely populated region. Seven cases were diagnosed by laboratory tests, but eight patients showed similar symptoms after bat bites.

"We need to do more research, but it is hard to escape the conclusion that these bats have been turning to humans after being deprived of the forest animals that provide their natural sources of nourishment," an environmental agency spokesman said."

EDIT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1190086,00.html

[Sequoia]

1. When will the people become vampires?

Inquiring minds want to know. Too bad Pacific Lumber can't share the same fate.

[mmm]

3. What a horrible way to die

[Gman]

4. Check the National Enquirer

next week.

[mmm]

2. When man attacks the rain forest, the rain forest fights back.

Chop up ancient trees and expose the roots and you release
long dormant plagues. Destroy her wildlife and
you put man on the food chain. It might send insects and it might send
rabid bats, but the rain forest always fights back.
When enough rain forest has been destroyed and it is too late
to undo what has been done, I fear the consequence
will be swift, unexpected and very very nasty.

[blindpig]

5. vampire bats & cattle

The cattle that almost invariably supplant the primary forest that has been felled provide an excellent food source for vampire bats. This has occured throughout the neotropics. Vampire bats are much more common in the disturbed areas than in undisturbed areas. Unintended concequences.