Tumor-Causing Virus Wild Turkeys: Scientists Say Widespread Virus Is Not Responsible For Drop In Bird Population

By Jobs & Hire Staff Reporter

Jan 19, 2015 03:56 PM EST

Tumor-Causing Virus Wild Turkeys - Scientists have found out that a tumor-causing virus has become widespread in wild turkey populations across the country. However, the study has also revealed that this virus isn't responsible for the recent sharp drop in the population of wild turkeys.

When scientists first discovered the tumor-causing virus in wild turkeys in Arkansas a few years ago, there was a "big scare" that the relatively unknown virus was killing away the wild turkey population silently. But the recent study has shown that the tumor-causing virus is much less deadly than researchers had thought.

"We found that infection is widespread and common, but the development of tumors s actually a rare event," said Justin Brown, the state wildlife veterinarian for Pennsylvania, who is the lead researcher of this study.

The lymphoproliferative disease virus can reportedly cause cancerous tumors in the spleen, kidneys, and lung of turkeys. Although researchers say it is not harmful to humans, authorities have warned against the consumption of infected birds.

Brown said future studies would seek to determine the other effects of this virus besides tumors and also how it affects young turkeys.

Scientists have grappled with the dwindling population of wild turkeys since the beginning of the 20^th century. The population of wild turkey dropped sharply in the beginning of the 20^th century due to increased hunting and loss of habitat. At one point, there were just 30,000 wild turkeys in the country. Due to conservatory efforts however, the population of this prized bird shot up again. According to the National Wild Turkey Federation, the population of wild turkey has reached up to 7 million. Nonetheless, there are concerns that the population of wild turkey is once again dwindling in some states like New York.

Mike Schiavone, the head of the wild turkey research for the Department of Environment Conservation, said the population of wild turkeys has dropped from 300,000 in 2001 to about 180,000 today. The drop in wild turkey population has been pinned on unfavorable weather conditions, as well as the loss of habitat and predators.