Wildlife Health Victoria

Wildlife Health
Wildlife Health Victoria: Surveillance, Faculty of Veterinary Science at The University of Melbourne

 

Wildlife Health Victoria: Surveillance, investigates sick and dead wildlife from free ranging populations of endemic mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in Victoria to understand baseline wildlife health patterns, detect changes and factors involved, and understand wildlife reservoirs of zoonotic diseases. We are seeking people in Victoria interested in wildlife health to assist.

koala
Koala with infected eye

 

How you can help

Monitoring

You can monitor the health of local free ranging populations, record these, and report your observations to Wildlife Health Victoria: Surveillance.  (Information is used only for wildlife health.) e.g. you observe a flock of 10 Crimson Rosellas several times a week.  Use binoculars to check health.  Signs of health problems include: fluffed up, thin, weak, feather problems, material around eyes or nose etc.  In a notebook record the species, number of affected birds, record the signs of disease you observe, and the number of healthy animals. 

We are interested in the rates of disease: the number sick compared to total number of that species you see. e.g. 1 weak, thin rosella, 9 normal.

Please phone Pam Whiteley to discuss this 0400 119 301, or email Pam Whiteley with your contact details if you wish to contribute.

Online survey

Take part in the online survey about sarcoptic mange in wildlife in Victoria, starting 12 June 2019.

Survey of sarcoptic mange of wildlife in Victoria 

 

Reporting

Please report any freshly dead wildlife for possible necropsy (post-mortem) investigation.

Report sick and dead wildlife from free ranging populations in Victoria.

We are particularly interested in investigating koalas and parrots, cockatoos and lorikeets following a survey we did 2008-09.  We are also interested in platypus carcasses for investigation.

If you find freshly dead wildlife wrap a strong plastic bag around it without touching it, pick and tie it up, then a second plastic bag, then a third to ensure no leaks, and hold in a disposable box in the shade with ice, away from pets and children.  Wash your hands and use an antiseptic rinse.

Record the species, date, location, signs of disease, number of animals and your contact details.

Phone 0400 119 301 or e-mail Pam Whiteley 

Observations

Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Wallabies

Report to (0400 119 301) if you see:

kangaroo with ox lump WHV
Kangaroo with skin lump on leg, suspect pox virus

 

Observe Parrot & Cockatoos
king parrots beak and feather disease WHV
Observe any diseased King Parrots.

 

King Parrots - Morbidity and mortality during winter, possibly due to intestinal protozoa Spironucleosis ssp.

Crimson Rosellas -  Morbidity and mortality during winter.

Long-billed Corellas - Morbidity and mortality was reported and Chlamydophila spp. detected.

Observe Ravens - Ravens with skin lumps, suspect pox virus.

Observe Koalas
Koala with mange Wildlife Health Victoria

Koala with crusty skin due to Sarcoptes scabiei mites, sarcoptic mange.

 

Observe Platypus
Platypus dead. Wildlife Health Victoria
Platypus health investigations including toxicology.

 

 

Observe Frogs
Observe Reptiles
blue-tongue dead
Report sick and dead reptiles.

 

 

Wildlife Serum

 

Contact

Pam Whiteley BVSc MS MANZCVS BTeach ACCM
Mobile: 0400 119 301
Email: Pam Whiteley 

Or Dave Hobbs 0448475279 or Histopath 97312000
Dead wildlife can be transported to Werribee overnight for investigation

Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, 
The University of Melbourne
Wildlife Health Victoria: Surveillance
250 Princes Highway
Werribee VIC 3030   

Online survey

Take part in the online survey about sarcoptic mange in wildlife in Victoria, starting 12 June 2019.

Survey of sarcoptic mange of wildlife in Victoria 

 

Wildlife Health Victoria: Surveillance

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