Page 23 - Pakistan Link - July 2, 2021

COMMENTARY JULY 2, 2021 – PAKISTAN LINK – P23

Rattlesnakes Everywhere: The Odd Consequences of California’s Drought

n By Gabrielle Canon
San Francisco – Public Health who studies the mosquitoes that transmit the
disease. “You get this combination of factors that means not
en Ramirez stalked through the dried landscape, only are conditions suitable for mosquitoes, but also the birds
scanning the ground ahead searching for movement. that carry the virus are more likely to be in higher concentra-
LCalled out to an estate in Napa Valley, the owner of tion closer to where people live.”
Ramirez Rattlesnake Removal company was finishing up Surprisingly, disease-carrying mosquitoes, which most
his last job of another busy day wrangling, removing and people associate with wet times rather than dry, thrive in cit-
relocating snakes from homes across northern California. ies during times of drought when waters recede and grow still.
He’d found three in just this yard, including one nestled Webb explains that human-made structures like pipes, pits and
roughly 1,000 yards from the pool. ponds are prime spots for stagnant water to become a breed-
Rattlesnakes are everywhere these days, he says – on front ing ground for the insects. “Fish and other animals that live in
porches, in potted plants, and under children’s play equipment. these systems die and the mosquitoes have free rein”.
“I am busier than I have ever been. Complaints are coming in In California, public health officials have already warned
from all over the state.”
Ramirez believes the drought may be partly to blame. He
opened his business in 1985, and has seen spikes before. And Rattlesnakes are everywhere these
while he doesn’t think the rattlesnake population is necessarily days, Ramirez says – on front porches,
growing, snakes are increasingly finding their way into urban
environments in search of refuge from the rising temperatures in potted plants, and under children’s
and relief from the drying landscape.
And it’s not just snakes. play equipment. “I am busier than
California and other states across the south-west are in
the grips of a historic drought. The conditions have produced I have ever been. Complaints are
consequences that extend beyond the risks of a decreased coming in from all over the state.”
water supply and worsening wildfires. And as urban develop-
ment creeps further into once-wild areas, the drought has also Ramirez believes the drought may be
increased negative interactions between people, animals and
pests – who are all trying to adapt. partly to blame
“Rattlesnakes are becoming more common in the places
where we live, work and play,” Ramirez says. After opening his residents of an increase in virus activity and scientists believe
business in 1985, he’s become a go-to source for removal and the threat of transmissions of West Nile will increase with cli-
public education about the snakes, speaking to the media and mate change, especially in coastal areas of California.
producing safety videos for California’s office of emergency Less perilous pests may also pose more problems during
services. He clears snakes from properties and public areas and drought conditions. Ants, cockroaches and rodents and other
relocates them to uninhabited areas. visitors also need water to survive and human homes are typi-
Ramirez worked through California’s last drought – which cally where they go to find it when it’s absent in outdoor envi-
stretched from the end of 2011 to 2019 – and saw similar pat- “The bear population is expanding its range, so bears are ronments.
terns. But now it’s gotten worse, mostly because he says, “there showing up in areas where they’ve never seen before,” Rebec- “Drought conditions not only mean that a pest’s water
is so much development taking place, and that’s going to dis- ca Barboza, a wildlife biologist who studies the trend for the supply dries up, but natural food sources can also be harder to
place wildlife, including rattlesnakes”. California department of fish and wildlife, told ABC News last find as well,” Mike Bentley, an entomologist for the National
Ramirez says he’s had jobs when he has had to remove month. Pest Management Association, says. “Drought often drives
more than 60 snakes at a time. “I always remind parents to be a Smaller animals and insects are also coming closer in pests into homes or other structures in search of these resourc-
good scout before your kids go out to play,” he says. search of water – and some have the ability to cause a lot more es to survive”.
As essential water sources start to run dry, other wild damage. Song birds carrying the West Nile virus, which can Not only does the drought mean an increase in unwanted
animals have also been spotted searching the suburbs for wa- cause a deadly and debilitating neurological disease, are in- houseguests, but it’s changing the behavior of critters them-
ter, sustenance and reprieve from the intensifying conditions. creasingly showing up in backyards. selves. They are “incredible at adapting to change”, he says.
Wildlife veterinarians have reported the numbers of aban- “Because there’s limited water in the environment and ev- “This can mean rodents nesting in wall voids versus under-
doned babies or injured animals brought into their centers erything is dry, the birds go looking for water and refuge,” says ground burrows and feeding from garbage bags rather than
and animal sightings – especially of bears who are venturing Cameron Webb, a medical entomologist and senior investiga- fallen fruits and seeds. Or, ants moving into potted plants to
deeper into urban areas – are surging. tor with the Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology nest and feeding on last night’s leftovers.” – The Guardian
Muhammad Ali’s Grandson Set to Make Pro Boxing Debut

n By Michael Rosenthal
titleholder Tyson Fury.
Laila Ali, another daughter of Muham-
nother member of Muhammad Ali’s mad Ali, also fought professionally. – Boxing
family is about to step through the / Junkie
Aropes.
Nico Ali Walsh, the 20-year-old grand- VISA FROM P21
son of the late heavyweight icon, has signed potential PAGB members, said that
a multi-fight contract with Top Rank and will she was happy to see people returning satis-
make his pro debut in a four-round middle- fied. This Camp Office had saved their whole
weight bout on August 14. The fight will be day. According to Fauzia, “everything went
televised on ESPN. smoothly and calmly. Some people who came
Ali Walsh is the son of Rasheda Ali to obtain visas, expected it to be stamped on
Walsh, the legendary champion’s daughter, their passports. They were informed by the
and US Marine Corps Seargent Robert Walsh. Consulate staff that with the recently com-
“I’m doing what I love,” Ali Walsh said. menced online visa facility, they were expect-
“Signing with Top Rank is a dream come ing people to utilize the user-friendly feature,
true. I’m going to have fun on Aug. 14 and which helps people to avoid going to the New
the next time I fight. Top Rank will give me York Consulate to renew their passport or get
the name, date and location, and I’ll have a a visa stamped.”
great time. Barry Hoffman was pleased that all went
“I am honored to continue the fighting well and told Siraj: “We work well together.
legacy that my grandfather started. It is a re- I consider PAGB to be the voice of the com-
sponsibility I don’t take lightly.” munity.” Siraj Khan requested DCG Nawab
Ali Walsh, who lives in Las Vegas, had Nico Ali Walsh (right) stands with new promoter Bob Arum next to a photo of Arum with Muhammad Ali, Adil Khan to send PAGB the new online visa
roughly 30 amateur fights, according to Top Ali Walsh’s grandfather. Mikey Williams / Top Rank application process in writing to ensure that
Rank. He reportedly did the Ali Shuffle dur- nothing slipped through the cracks. Any in-
ing his amateur debut as a child. Greatest’s” fights, including the “Thrilla in his belief that he was with the right promoter. formation shared with the Members and the
He said that some of his earliest memo- Manila” against Joe Frazier and the third fight He thinks this is going to be a historic jour- community at large was based entirely on what
ries in boxing were with his grandfather. with Ken Norton. ney.” is received from the Pak Embassy or CGNY
“To me, I was hanging out in the gym Ali Walsh’s uncle, Mike Joyce, brokered Quipped Arum: “Nico’s grandfather and this was a policy which we would like to
with my grandfather. Sometimes I have to re- the deal with Top Rank and will serve as his was a pretty good fighter. Hopefully, Nico continue.
mind myself that he’s everyone’s idol,” he said. manager, agent and attorney. will emulate his success. He’s a young man of The Consulate officials were so delighted
Ali Walsh is a student at UNLV and on “Family history and legacy was a big great character, which one would expect from to see the smooth operation and the outcome
track to graduate with a business degree next factor in Nico signing with Top Rank,” Joyce Muhammad Ali’s grandson.” that they felt another visa camp should be
spring. said. “I’ve signed many fighters to Top Rank, Ali Walsh is working with trainer Sug- done during the Christmas break. So don’t
The Ali family has a history with Top and Bob has always treated them fairly. Nico arHill Steward, the nephew of the late Eman- be surprised if you find a ribbon-wrapped gift
Rank. CEO Bob Arum promoted 27 of “The was a little bit in awe of Bob, and it cemented uel Steward and the trainer of heavyweight package under the Christmas Tree.
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