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Conference to explore wild, domestic bird issues
BY RACHELLE COOPER
Bird experts from the Toronto Zoo, the Owl Foundation and the Ontario Veterinary College will talk about wild and domestic bird issues at the “All About Birds” conference May 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the OVC Lifetime Learning Centre.
Organized by U of G's Wildlife Education and Environmental Programs (WEEP), the event will explore topics ranging from avian flu to breeding behaviours of pet birds. In addition, a dozen vendors will have information and merchandise available for pet bird owners and wild bird lovers.
“A lot of people are afraid of birds right now because of misconceptions about the avian flu, so we felt it was really important to educate pet bird owners, wild bird enthusiasts and the general public,” says Natalie Lemieux, a teaching lab technician in the Department of Pathobiology who's the WEEP program co-ordinator and the conference director.
Speakers include Prof. Bruce Hunter, Pathobiology, who will present “Truth and Tales About the Avian Flu.” He will provide an update on the global avian influenza situation, discuss the possible role of wild birds in disseminating the virus and review some of the ways governments and industry are preparing for bird flu.
“The media hype around the bird flu and the World Health Organization predictions of a global flu pandemic has caused concern and uncertainty among pet bird owners and wild bird enthusiasts,” he says.
Other speakers in the wild bird section of the conference include Bill Rapley, director of conservation for the Toronto Zoo, and Kay McKeever of the Owl Foundation. Rapley will discuss the changing role of zoos as major educational facilities and partners in conservation. McKeever, a world expert on North American owls and owl behaviour, will explain the trials and tribulations of working with North American owls.
Sessions of interest to pet bird owners and wild bird enthusiasts include hands-on practice in clipping wings, trimming nails, safely holding birds and basic medical care. Pathobiology professor Dale Smith will explain why and how to do an avian post-mortem. Margaret Mostert, a nursery manager from Mostert Aviaries, will discuss how to hand-raise a bird from hatchling to fledging.
OVC staff veterinarian Michael Taylor and Hunter will talk about the breeding behaviours and physiology of pet birds.
The conference is a fundraiser to support avian disease research and wildlife education. Money raised will help fund OVC research on proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) and help hire a summer student for WEEP, which educates the public through school and community group presentations.
“PDD is so devastating when it comes to pet birds, but there isn't enough funding out there to support finding a cure for it,” says Lemieux.
Cost of the conference is $60 general, $25 for students, for the full day or $35 and $15 for a half-day. Members of the public can pay $5 per person or $8 per family to browse through the vendors' booths from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or visit with a variety of parrots and wild birds from 3 to 6 p.m.
For more information, visit www.all-about-birds.ca or call Lemieux at Ext. 54670.
