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May 23, 2001: Horse Deaths, Tent Caterpillars - Linda Moulton Howe | Mars update - Richard C. Hoagland
Published 1 year, 4 months ago
Description
Art Bell welcomes investigative reporter Linda Moulton Howe for an update on the mysterious horse deaths sweeping central Kentucky. Since late April, over 500 thoroughbred foals and fetuses have been lost to unknown causes. Scientists initially suspected mycotoxins from stressed grasses, but lab results came back negative. Attention has shifted to eastern tent caterpillars and the cyanide found in wild cherry tree leaves, though experts remain skeptical that horses would ingest the insects.
Howe speaks with University of Kentucky entomologist Dr. Lee Townsend and equine nutritionist Stephen Jackson, both of whom express doubt about the caterpillar theory. Jackson estimates the true number of losses could be ten times the official count, with some farms losing 100 percent of early pregnancies. The economic toll on Kentucky's billion-dollar thoroughbred industry could reach hundreds of millions over the coming years.
In the second half, Richard C. Hoagland reports breaking news from Washington. NASA headquarters is holding emergency meetings about newly acquired high-resolution images of the Face on Mars, taken in response to a formal request from the FACETS organization. Hoagland's political sources suggest the Bush administration may be laying groundwork for a manned Mars mission announcement, possibly tied to the July 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing.
Howe speaks with University of Kentucky entomologist Dr. Lee Townsend and equine nutritionist Stephen Jackson, both of whom express doubt about the caterpillar theory. Jackson estimates the true number of losses could be ten times the official count, with some farms losing 100 percent of early pregnancies. The economic toll on Kentucky's billion-dollar thoroughbred industry could reach hundreds of millions over the coming years.
In the second half, Richard C. Hoagland reports breaking news from Washington. NASA headquarters is holding emergency meetings about newly acquired high-resolution images of the Face on Mars, taken in response to a formal request from the FACETS organization. Hoagland's political sources suggest the Bush administration may be laying groundwork for a manned Mars mission announcement, possibly tied to the July 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing.