Over the last 70 years approximately 100 “new” human diseases have emerged. Most of these are viral and most have wildlife reservoirs or vectors. How, why and when these diseases emerge both in man and wildlife are challenging and complex questions. While it is generally accepted that rapid rate environmental changes such as deforestation and global warming can precipitate new diseases it can be difficult to identify specific causative factors at a regional level.
Ecosure in collaboration with Wildlife Warriors and Biolink is attempting to increase our understanding of these questions through the Mobile Disease Ecology Unit (MDEU). A flexible, mobile investigative unit, the MDEU can examine wildlife health in the context of changing habitat and land use. It is a vehicle that can help clarify the factors contributing to emerging disease and can be quickly deployed either proactively or reactively.
The MDEU uses a core team of professionals from numerous disciplines, and can call upon specialists as needed for specific projects. A team could include a microbiologist, a disease ecologist, an anaesthetist, a vertebrate ecologists and a plantation forest ecologist to help qualify and manage the health status of koalas in logging areas, as is the case in the photo below.
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Our Services
In the past the MDEU has been deployed in tropical, temperate, coastal, sub alpine and arid zones of Australia and has examined wildlife disease/health issues in para-urban, dry forest, wet forest, agricultural and riparian systems. The unit is a valuable adjunct to many wildlife projects and provides capabilities in the following areas.
In situ Wildlife Health Assessment
Disease, nutritional and reproductive assessment in the context of habitat and land use, i.e. what are the rates and determinants of mortality, morbidity and fecundity in a population and how do these relate to local land management practice? This can be particularly helpful in managing threatened populations.
Wildlife Crisis Management
Triage, rescue and rehabilitation during floods, fires and other catastrophic events.
Investigation of Wildlife Epizootics
Pathological and aetiological investigation of novel disease events.
Ethical Anaesthesia and Restraint of Wildlife
Safe, effective and humane restraint methods are particularly valuable when detailed clinical, physiological or epidemiological investigations are required in situ. We also provide assistance with project design including experimental method, trap design, animal welfare, handling and data analysis.
Trapping and Telemetry
MDEU staff members have a wide experience in fitting wildlife telemetry devices and in training people in efficient telemetry techniques.
Sero-Surveys and Disease Transmission Risk Assessment
Proactive screening wildlife reservoirs for zoonotic diseases and diseases transferable to production species.
Wildlife Population Management and Control
Urban wildlife population control can be achieved by non-lethal and humane measures such as reproductive management and monitoring programs.
Our Projects
Abstracts from projects that the MDEU is currently undertaking or has undertaken in the past:
- An Emerging Urban Scavenger
- A Crashing Koala Population
- Seasonal Reproduction in Male Koalas
- What is that Koala Virus doing in my Gibbon?
- Koala Cancer and Haematology
- Koala Health and Selective Logging
- Koala Health in Northern Rivers
- Platypus in the Gold Coast Region
- Platypus and Azure Kingfishers
- “Clenched Claw” Rainbow Lorikeets
- Wildlife Management and Land-clearing
Our Research
Selected Publications and Presentations stemming from current and past MDEU Projects;
Booth R.J., Hartley, W.J. and McKee, J.J. An investigation of neurological diseases in wild rainbow lorikeets Trichoglossus haematodus Proc. AAVCB, WDA (Aust), WAWV and WSNZVA joint conference Sydney July 2001.
Booth R.J, McKee J.J, Pye G., Caton W., Dowsett. K., and Trigg T. Potential Immunocontraception Using GnRH Vaccine In Eastern Grey Kangaroos Macropus Giganteus: Preliminary Report. Proc AAVCB Conf., Brisbane, 1997 pp51-58
Epstein, J., McKee, J., Shaw, P., Hicks, V., Micalizzi, G., Daszak, P., Kilpatrick, A and Kaufman G. Australian White Ibis as a Reservoir of Zoonotic and Livestock Pathogens 2006, EcoHealth 3(4):290-298.
Hanger J, Bromham L, McKee J, O’Brien T and Robinson W
The Nucleotide Sequence of Koala (Phascolarctos Cinereus) Retrovirus (KoRV): A Novel Type - C Endogenous Virus Related to Gibbon Ape Leukaemia Virus (GALV).
J.Virology 2000 74:4264-4272
Kavanagh R., Stanton M. and Brassil T 2007 Koalas continue to occupy their previous home-ranges after selective logging in Callitris–Eucalyptus forest. Wildlife Research, 2007, 34, 94–107
McKee J. Disease in Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca: Avian Influenza Proceedings 1st Ibis Management Conference, John Flynn Hospital, Gold Coast, 9th May 2006
McKee J, Hall L, Field H, and Shaw P Recognition of Emergent Disease Risk in Wildlife Populations Proc. Inter. Soc. Ecosystem Health Ann. Conf. - July 2000
McKee, J.J, Shirreffs L. and Shaw P. An overview of the biological, economic and air safety aspects of bird strike to commercial air operations. Combined FAC, BASI, NPWS & SCC Meeting Nov 1997. Sydney Airport, Bird Hazard Management.
Radford S, McKee J, Timms P, Polkinghorne A, Devereaux L and Hanger J. Presence and prevalence of Chlamydia in the koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Pine Creek State Forest, North-eastern New South Wales. Proc Aust Mam Soc Conf. Sydney, July 2001
Radford SL, McKee J, Kavanagh R & Goldingay R Population Characteristics and Health of the Koalas, Phascolarctos cinereus, in Pine Creek State Forest, north eastern NSW. Proc Aust Mam Soc Conf. 2002
Radford SL, McKee J, Goldingay R & Kavanagh R Koala capture and assessment procedures employed within Pine Creek State Forest, north eastern NSW. Proc Aust Mam Soc Conf. 2003
Radford SL, McKee J, Goldingay R & Kavanagh R The Protocols For Koala Research Using Radio-Collars – Its Application And Implications. Aust Mamm in print.
Shaw ,P. Introduction to the Ibis Issue, Proceedings 1st Ibis Management Conference, John Flynn Hospital, Gold Coast, 9th May 2006
Shirreffs L, McKee J.J, Shaw P., Ludgate H., MacQueen A., Charlie D., Armstrong T, Campbell J. and Fletcher A. Integrated management of the public health, air safety, and environmental hazards associated with an over abundant native species: The Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca. Proc. Aust. Wildlife Management Soc. Meeting, Armidale, Nov.1997