Wildlife Health Surveillance Victoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne.
We are seeking people in Victoria interested in wildlife health to develop a network to:
Monitor the health of local free ranging populations, record these, and report your observations to us. We will send an email every 3 months to ask for your reports.
Please phone Pam Whiteley to discuss this 0400 119 301, or email with your contact details if you wish to contribute. (Information is used only for wildlife health.)
Eg. 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. Eg. 1 weak, thin rosella, 9 normal.
Report freshly dead wildlife for possible necropsy (post-mortem) investigation.
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 & tie it up, then a second plastic bag, then a third to ensure no leaks, & hold in a disposable box in the shade with ice, away from pets & children. Wash your hands & use an antiseptic rinse.
Report sick and dead wildlife from free ranging populations in Victoria.
Use our website: “Wildlife Health Surveillance Victoria”:http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/wildlifehealthsurveillancevic/index.html
Go to ‘Reporting Wildlife Health’ and record species, date, location, signs of disease, contact details etc
Particularly observe Eastern Grey Kangaroos and report to us (0400 119 301) if you see:
# Sub-adults that are dead, weak, have swollen heads or a cough/sneeze or watery nasal discharge. Globocephaloides worms sucking blood in the small intestine can be responsible where there is a high density of Eastern Grey Kangaroos. We wish to necropsy carcasses to make a diagnosis.
# The last animal in the mob to move away is uncoordinated and may fall over.
# Kangaroos with lumps on their legs. They may have difficulty moving.
The purpose of Wildlife Health Surveillance Victoria is to improve baseline wildlife health information of free ranging populations in Victoria, and to detect and investigate changes. We are developing a collaborative network to increase reporting and investigation of wildlife health. Information is reported to stakeholders and the Australian Wildlife Health Network. (Information is used for the purpose of wildlife health only.)
Please contact Pam Whiteley BVSc MS MACVS (Epidemiology & Australian Wildlife) BTeach at Wildlife Health Surveillance Victoria (website), Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princess Hw, Werribee, Vic, 3030
Email Mobile 0400 119 301