Wildlife health

[Echidna – Image – Eric J Woehler]

Background

Veterinarians may interact with Australian native wildlife through the provision of veterinary treatment and rehabilitation, involvement in wildlife translocations, for wildlife disease surveillance and reporting, and through research and educational activities.

Wildlife health refers to the physical, behavioural and social well-being of free-ranging animals at an individual, population and wider ecosystem level, and their resilience to change. The health of Australia’s wildlife, human health, livestock and the environment are all fundamentally linked and this interdependence is referred to as One Health.

Wildlife health surveillance is vital to human health, agriculture, the environment and biodiversity in Australia, as many diseases that can affect humans and livestock often emerge in wildlife, and by protecting wildlife, we invest in a healthier, more sustainable future.

Wildlife Health Australia is the independent coordinating body for wildlife health in Australia, leading national action to respond to emerging health issues affecting Australia’s wildlife and managing the national surveillance program for the health of Australia’s native wildlife species.

WHA administers the national electronic Wildlife Health Information System (eWHIS) database, a web-enabled, secure database capturing information relating to wildlife health surveillance and disease investigation in Australia.

Reporting wildlife health concerns is critical to developing a greater understanding of the disease threats to Australian wildlife. If you see unusual signs of disease or death in wildlife, you can report it to your state or territory Wildlife Health Australia Coordinator or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888, which will connect you with your state or territory’s department of primary industries or agriculture.

Latest updates:

For the latest updates and further information about wildlife health in Australia visit the Wildlife Health Australia website: https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Incidents/Incident-Information

Key information about wildlife health:

The Wildlife Health Australia website contains a comprehensive array of information about wildlife health.

Fact-sheets on a wide range of diseases that impact Australian wildlife and feral animals: https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Resource-Centre/Fact-Sheets

Wildlife biosecurity guidelines and disease risk assessments: https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Resource-Centre/Biosecurity-Management

Bat health resources: https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Resource-Centre/Bat-Health

Wildlife health publications: https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Resource-Centre/Publications

Wildlife health surveillance reports: https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Resource-Centre/Surveillance-Reports

Wildlife disease investigation funding: https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Incidents/Disease-Investigation-Funding

[Sugar gliders – Image – Eric J Woehler]

Veterinary wildlife training, treatment and rehabilitation resources:

Taronga Zoo Veterinary Professional Training in Wildlife Treatment and Care: https://taronga.org.au/education/veterinary-professional-training

Taronga Zoo – Assessment, triage and treatment of bushfire affecting wildlife: https://taronga.org.au/education/assessment-triage-and-treatment-bushfire-affected-wildlife-module

WA Wildlife – Wildlife Medicine for Veterinary Professionals: https://wawildlife-training.thinkific.com/bundles/wildlife-medicine-for-veterinary-professionals-GP

Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, Wildlife Heroes – veterinary treatment information: https://wildlifeheroes.org.au/veterinary-treatment-information/

SAVEM – Wildlife treatment sheets: https://www.savem.org.au/resources/wildlife-treatment-sheets/

Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary veterinary resource videos: https://www.bonorong.com.au/vet-resources

Amphibian medicine video tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaOhxmTP7asO5zyZQwYzh-A/videos

Learn Bird Care: https://www.learnbirdcare.com/

South Australia – Helping bushfire affected wildlife:

https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/plants-and-animals/living-with-wildlife/feeding-wildlife/helping-bushfire-affected-wildlife

Fourth Crossing Wildlife care resources: https://www.fourthcrossingwildlife.com/

AVA policy on euthanasia of injured wildlife: https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/policies/euthanasia/euthanasia-of-injured-wildlife/

IUCN Wildlife Disease Risk Analysis guidelines and online training course: https://www.cpsg.org/our-approach/training

Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE) veterinary epidemiology eLearning modules: https://www.apcove.com.au/resources/

NSW Rehabilitation of Protected Animals Policy: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Animals-and-plants/Native-animals/rehabilitation-protected-native-animals-policy-220348.pdf

Victorian Wildlife Rehabilitation Guidelines: https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/victorian-wildlife-rehabilitation-guidelines/victorian-wildlife-rehabilitation-guidelines

Tasmania Best Practice Guidelines for Wildlife Rehabilitation: https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Best%20Practice%20Guidelines%20for%20Wildlife%20Rehabilitation.pdf

Responsible cat ownership to protect wildlife:

Veterinarians have an important role to play to educate pet owners about the benefits of keeping pet cats contained indoors or in outdoor enclosures (eg catio’s) to protect wildlife and help keep cats safe.

Biodiversity Council – The impact of roaming pet cats on Australian wildlife: https://biodiversitycouncil.org.au/media/uploads/2023_6/pet_cat_impacts_fs_june_2023.pdf

NESP Threatened Species Recovery Hub - Responsible cat ownership in Australia: https://www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au/media/bvln15ul/7-4-cat-impacts-and-management-knowledge-exchange-for-stakeholders-ff_v4.pdf

RSPCA – Keeping your cat safe and happy at home: https://safeandhappycats.com.au/

Zoos Victoria and RSPCA Victoria – Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife: https://www.safecat.org.au/

[Impacts of urban cats in Australia. Note the estimate of the pet cat population shown in this poster (4.9 million) has been surpassed; recent surveys put the figure at 5.3 million. Image - Threatened Species Recovery Hub.]