Ian Robertson

Introduced mammalian predators and anthropogenic habitat modification have resulted in the loss of 62 avian species since humans arrived in New Zealand. The conservation paradigm for New Zealand relies upon predator free, ecologically intact or restored islands to serve as sanctuaries and breeding sites for a range of threatened species. Island breeding programs and translocations to restore native fauna to the mainland and other off-shore sites, introduce specific risks related to disease spread. Beak and Feather Disease Vims (BFDV), was found in clinically affected juvenile Red Crowned Parakeet (RCP, Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) on Hautum Island in 2008. This finding had major implications for conservation management of parrots in New Zealand, including the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) and orange fronted parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi). Feather loss had also been reported in RCP on nearby Tiritiri Matangi Island, suspected to be caused by BFDV. BFDV is endemic in the exotic Eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius) and Sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) on the North Island of New Zealand. A spill over event likely spread the vims to RCP on nearby islands in the Hauraki Gulf of the Auckland region. Four cross-sectional surveys were conducted between 201 1-2012 on Tiritiri Matangi Island to determine the presence, prevalence and seasonal trends of key diseases of parrots that may result in feather loss. A total of 184 birds were captured in mist nets. All birds were anaesthetised to collect samples of blood, feathers and faeces, and in 2012 a skin biopsy from the head was included. Individuals were examined for general condition including stages of moult and body weight, and morphometrics and standardised photos were obtained. Hippoboscid flies were collected opportunistically when observed on birds. Blood and feather samples were tested for BFDV by PCR, and a subset of samples was tested for the presence of antibodies to BFDV using the haemagglutination inhibition test. Skin was processed routinely for histopathology and examined under light microscopy for evidence of BFDV as well as other causes of feather loss. The prevalence of feather loss in the study population changed substantially during the 2 year project, from 0% (95%CI: 0-6.7%) in April 2011, up to 45% (95%CI: 32.0-58.5%) in September 2012. This feather loss was predominantly around the head and neck region, with varying degrees of hyperkeratosis and lichenification evident on physical exam. BFDV was detected only in the first sampling session at 4% prevalence (95%CI: 0.5-13.0%), and was not correlated with clinical signs. A mite was detected in skin biopsies of all birds showing signs of feather loss and, increasingly, in skin biopsies from birds not showing changes to feathering. Examination of hippoboscid flies revealed female mites and eggs on the abdomen. The characteristic feather loss associated with this mite has been observed in other populations of RCP, as well as in several populations of the orange fronted parakeet. Continued monitoring of the study population is recommended to broaden our understanding of the factors that underpin the host-parasite relationship, and produce survival data to infer the impacts of this parasite on viability at individual and population scales.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Asian elephant as endangered, citing a drastic decline in the global population. Once widespread in Nepal, wild elephants are now limited to a few protected areas, and conservation of the species is of paramount concern. Decline in numbers predisposes this species to the impacts of such disease, through loss of genetic diversity, population fragmentation and increased interactions between humans, captive and wild populations. Of particular concern is the morbidity and mortality caused by tuberculosis (resulting from infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) species) and endotheliotrophic elephant herpes vims (EEHV), both of which present a growing threat to the health and viability of Asian elephant populations worldwide. Tuberculosis is well documented in Nepal, and previous research has laid foundations for control and management of the disease. However, further research and recommendations are required, particularly to improve diagnostic techniques and identify and minimize disease risk factors. The Nepal Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) Infectious Disease Mitigation and Prevention Initiative began in 2012 as a collaborative post-graduate research project, expanding into an ongoing initiative based at the Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal (CMDN). Research and management is focused on Chitwan and Bardia National Parks, where the majority of Nepal's captive and wild populations reside. The initiative is endorsed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (Nepal), with technical support from the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and Elephant Care International (ECI), and with academic expertise from Murdoch University, Tufts University, Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University and the Smithsonian Institute. The initiative aims to identify and minimize infectious disease risk factors at the captive-wild and captive-human interface, with particular focus on tuberculosis and EEHV in Nepal's captive and wild elephant populations. By controlling disease at the human-elephant and captive-wild interface, we seek to prevent transmission of disease to wildlife populations, and in the case of tuberculosis, to humans. Research aims to build upon existing studies through adopting a One Health approach to fill important knowledge gaps in disease prevalence, diagnosis and epidemiology, to identify management improvements, and to empower stakeholders through conservation education, community outreach and in-country capacity building. The purpose of this presentation is to update the research community and review the initiative's achievements over the past year, and to make recommendations for future directions to mitigate and prevent infectious diseases and facilitate a holistic conservation management plan for the preservation of the Asian elephant. It is hoped that findings may be applicable to other elephant range countries, and to zoological collections.

Translocation of the threatened western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) has been instigated as a management strategy to ameliorate the effects of habitat loss in coastal regions of south-west Western Australia. Re-establishment of viable populations within the species' inferred pre-European geographic range is proving difficult due, in part, to predation by exotic and native carnivores. We monitored the health of western ringtail possums both before and after translocation to determine whether individual health components or population-level disease status contributes to the low translocation success. Common brushtail possums already resident at the release sites were also health-screened to investigate the likelihood of interspecific disease transmission. No evidence of exposure to Toxoplasma gondii or Leptospira serovars was found; neither was infection with Salmonella spp. or Chlamydiales spp demonstrated. One brushtail possum tested positive for Cryptococcus antigen. Survivorship modelling revealed a negative relationship between lymphocyte counts and translocation success for western ringtail possums. Moreover, site differences in haematological parameters suggested habitat quality for this species may be lower at the translocation sites than at the sites where possums are being displaced by clearing for land development. The numbers of brushtail possums resident at the release sites also affected survival of translocated ringtails. Implications of these results for future management of the western ringtail possum are discussed.

The western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) is listed nationally and internationally as a "Threatened Species': Populations are diminishing due to habitat loss, particularly from building development in coastal regions of south-west Western Australia. A translocation program is attempting to re-establish populations within the species' inferred geographic range at the time of European settlement. We monitored the fates of 67 translocated possums to determine ultimate causes of death. Mortality rates due to predation by both exotic and native carnivores were unsustainably high. Survivorship modelling identified some intrinsic and extrinsic proximate factors underlying the susceptibility of translocated individuals to predation, both in the short term and following establishment of territories. Numbers of common brushtail possums resident at the release site, together with pre-translocation white blood cell counts of individual western ringtail possums, affected survival of the latter species immediately post translocation. Rainfall and temperature affected survivorship in the longer term. We outline the mechanisms by which these factors are likely to operate and discuss the implications of our findings for the future management of the species.

Most of the existing sea turtle populations worldwide are in decline. In particular, loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are listed as endangered and loggerhead nesting populations in Eastern Australia have declined by 86% since the 1970s. However, whilst Eastern Australian loggerhead populations have been extensively studied and monitored, not much is known about the Western Australian nesting population.

The western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis) is classified as vulnerable on the Threatened Species List. Populations are diminishing due to habitat loss, particularly from building development in coastal regions of southwest WA. A translocation program is attempting to re-establish populations within the species' pre-European range. Survival of translocated possums was investigated in relation to pre-translocation health status, competition with common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and feral predator control measures. Mortality rates due to predation by both feral and native predators (cat, fox, and python) were high. Survival analyses using Information Theoretic techniques identified lymphocyte counts and brushtail possum population size as factors affecting survivorship. These results illustrate the need to take into account the complex nature of interactions between health, ecological factors and invasive species when managing a threatened marsupial.