Research Project Abstracts Urolithiasis in Asian short-clawed (ASCOs) – a review of urolith development and MSc Wild Biology and diet practice over the last 20 years at BIAZA Wild Animal Health Student collections Conference 2019/20 Vanessa Lee

Tuesday 8 September 2020 The prevalence of urolithiasis is unusually high in captive Asian small-clawed otters ( cinereus; SESSION ONE ASCO), but little is known about the condition. There is no literature that describes urolithiasis in free-living Chair: Maria Diez-Leon ASCOs, causing multiple authors to propose that the differences between captive and wild diets are to blame Female-biased sexual size dimorphism and for the higher prevalence of urolithiasis in captivity. We the determination of sex by morphometrics in reviewed the medical records and diets of 34 ASCOs in the curl-crested (Pteroglossus the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) collection over beauharnaesii) a 20-year period to investigate the potential associations between diet and urolithiasis. Selected Storm Heaven dietary components were: (i) proportion of crustaceans, (ii) proportion of meat, (iii) dietary calcium, (iv) dietary The Ramphastidae family is mainly monomorphic oxalate, (v) dietary sodium, and (vi) crude protein. with only some in the Selenidera and However, no meaningful conclusions were obtained due to various limitations. Future work should consider a Pteroglossus exhibiting phenotypic larger, more diverse sample, ideally with otters that had dimorphism. The Curl-crested Aracari (Pteroglossus only been fed a single diet throughout their lives. To find beauharnaesii) is a small, monomorphic out if urolithiasis was associated with mortality or species inhabiting rain forest habitat in Brazil, Peru morbidity, we reviewed post-mortem (PM) examination and Bolivia. With no existing field methodology for reports and assigned scores depending on whether: (i) sex determination, little is known about the natural histopathology had been conducted, and (ii) there was history, ecology and evolutionary selection kidney damage. Urolithiasis was found to have minimal impact on mortality and morbidity, suggesting that pressures of this species. Six standard ornithological uroliths were incidental findings. The lack of routine parameters were measured from eighty-six adult monitoring proved to be a severe limitation. All skins obtained from museum collections and used in institutions should include regular radiographs at conjunction with the prior determination of sex via appropriate time intervals as an essential part of care identification of gonads, to establish the degree of for captive ASCOs. Furthermore, uroliths should sexual dimorphism within the species. For five of the specifically be looked for on necropsy, and histopathology conducted on kidneys to assess if six parameters, males generally measured larger uroliths had caused any organ damage. than females. Identified using univariate analyses, bill length was the only statistically significant Keywords: Asian small-clawed , urolithiasis, parameter differing between males and females (p dietary, captivity <0.001). A binary two-step logistic regression analyses with prior sex determination as the Cholelithiasis in Captive Mountain Chicken dependent variable was then used to determine the Frogs (Leptodactylus fallax): Diagnostic Imagine probability of a being male or female, based on and Histopathological Features the length of its bill. Using this method, the sex of 66.3% of specimens (females: 50%, males: 78%) Sara Martinez could be correctly determined. The results show that Mountain chicken frogs (Leptodactylus fallax) are a although cryptic sexual dimorphism is present for critically endangered species highly reliant on ex-situ most body measurements within Curl-crested conservation programs. In captivity, cholelithiasis has , bill length is the only suitable ornithological been reported as an incidental finding during routine parameter for sex determination. health checks on ultrasonography and radiology and

observed at postmortem. Furthermore, some Keywords: sexual dimorphism; Curl-crested individuals have presented non-specific clinical signs Aracari; Ramphastidae; morphometrics potentially associated with this condition, but little is known about its clinical relevance for the captive population. A retrospective evaluation of ultrasonographic (n = 139) and radiographic (n = 156) images and histopathology samples (n = 32) obtained between 2014 and 2020 from 133 individuals was

performed. An ultrasound scoring system was infectious agents which could cause disease and proposed and proved suitable for evaluating jeopardise the translocation programme. Of the changes in the gallbladder, with 38% (53/139) of the infectious agents analysed, four posed non-negligible images showing abnormal contents in the risks to the translocation. The infectious agents gallbladder. Gallbladder distension appeared assessed to be of highest risks to the programme are associated with these findings (Generalized Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and ranavirus, while estimating equation model, p< 0.001). In contrast, Chlamydia pneumoniae poses a medium risk and fungi radiography proved to have low overall sensitivity causing phaeohyphomycosis pose low risks. As such, (48%) when compared to ultrasonography for risk mitigation measures e.g. in the form of biosecurity identifying abnormal gallbladder contents. A weak barriers are crucial to prevent introduction of these level of agreement (Cohen’s Kappa, CK = 0.535) pathogens. was seen between the imaging modalities. A biosecurity assessment of the five zoological Description of the normal histology of the gallbladder collections was subsequently conducted against the in Leptodactylus fallax is presented. four infectious agents which posed non-negligible risks Histopathological features of cholelithiasis were to the translocation, through questionnaires and video varied: cholecystitis was present in 86% (12/14) of walk-throughs of the facilities. All five collections had the individuals, intrahepatic cholangitis in 90% biosecurity protocols guided by the ‘European (18/20) and thickening of the gallbladder wall in 71% Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) Best Practice (10/14). There was no evidence of cholestasis in any Guidelines for Mountain Chickens’, which was of the affected individuals. A significant difference assessed to be sufficient to safeguard against the four was observed in the hepatic melanomacrophage infectious agents studied. However, implementation of density between with and without the guidelines differed between facilities. cholelithiasis (Welch Two Sample t-test, p< 0.001). Several areas in each collection were identified as This study provides an overview on the use of potential points where pathogen incursion could occur. diagnostic imaging modalities to evaluate For example, substrate and live feed brought into the cholelithiasis and proposes a convenient ultrasound facilities, as these were often sourced from general score to standardize monitoring of the condition in suppliers with no treatment, disinfection or testing Leptodactylus fallax. To the author’s knowledge, this before introduction. Disinfection protocols also differed constitutes the first systematic review of between facilities and some facilities used disinfectants histopathological changes associated with which were not recommended or at concentrations cholelithiasis in this species. lower than recommended by the EAZA guidelines. Poor facility conditions resulting in fungal and algal growth, Biosecurity assessment of European zoos entry of pest invertebrates, barrier breach during housing mountain chickens (Leptodactylus personal protection equipment (PPE) change and fallax) for conservation translocation absence of water testing were other areas identified as risks to pathogen incursion. Audrey Chen Vast resources are required to house captive breeding programmes outside range states and the risk of The mountain chicken (MCF) (Leptodactylus fallax) pathogen incursion is high. However, constraints in is an IUCN listed Critically Endangered frog which is some range states might make it impossible to support of cultural and ecological significance to the nations such programmes e.g. proximity to original cause of of Dominica and Montserrat. Five zoological decline. It is important that all stakeholders involved in collections in Europe currently hold the ex-situ such programmes constantly review their processes breeding populations of MCF for conservation based on the latest scientific information and share best translocation. Being located outside the range states practices between institutions. and in zoological collections which house amphibians of different origins increase the risks of Keywords: Leptodactylus fallax; mountain chicken; alien pathogen incursion. disease risk analysis; biosecurity; conservation The IUCN recommends that a disease risk analysis translocation (DRA) be conducted before wildlife translocations. A DRA is a tool which helps to systematically identify Disease Consideration and The Use Of Disease animal health hazards associated with the Risk Analysis In Conservation Translocations: A translocation, assess the risk of those hazards and Review propose mitigation measures to address those risks. Justin Kaiser Due to time constraints of the project, a partial DRA using a method published by Zoological Society of As human populations and urbanization continues to London (ZSL) was conducted on seven selected expand, natural areas and resources become further

encroached upon. This encroachment and Bat white-nose syndrome: Development of a destruction of natural habitats increases the threat of LAMP assay for the Detection of biodiversity loss through extinction of plant and Pseudogymnoascus destructans animal species. In response to these increasing Calea Burrell threats, conservation efforts continue to intensify.

One method to tackle these issues, is the use of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (formerly Geomyces translocations of plant and animal species. With this destructans) is a psychrophilic fungus which causes intentional movement of species, there also comes white-nose syndrome (WNS) by infecting the ears, the risk for unintentional movement of parasites. As wings and muzzles of hibernating bats. Introduction some of these parasites can have detrimental effects of P. destructans and subsequent disease have been on individuals, populations, and whole ecosystems, associated with unparalleled mortality in North America. it becomes increasingly important to properly assess Probe-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction the risks of translocations prior to their execution. (qPCR) is currently hailed as the gold standard for Disease risk analyses (DRAs) are structured, molecular detection of P. destructans, though several evidence-based processes that can aid in the different methods exist. Current detection methods decision-making process of animal translocations pose numerous disadvantages resulting in gaps in and help determine the potential impact of infectious current knowledge. To mitigate the high cost and and non-infectious diseases on ecosystems, wildlife, extensive run-times associated with probe-based qPCR domestic animals, and people. However, the use of assays, this study aimed to develop a sensitive and DRAs in conservation translocations has not been specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) fully assessed. This study seeks to better assay offering a rapid, simple and cost-effective understand the use of this tool in documented alternative for the detection of P. destructans from conservation efforts. Of the 204 sampled wildlife environmental samples. Due to time constraints, limited conservation translocation case reports consisting of funding and COVID-19 restrictions, this project was , , and amphibians from 1939-2019, terminated in the troubleshooting phase of assay we found only 9% reported performing DRAs, but development, with limitations arising during target that DRA use continues to increase proportionally selection, primer design and primer testing. over time. Disease investigation or consideration Consequently, conclusive results could not be obtained was only mentioned in 9% of pre-established for this study. Future directions of this project would parameters for success but 18% in concluding focus on continued development of a LAMP assay, with sections of case reports, such as ‘lessons learned’ sequence analysis potentially offering an explanation or ‘reasons for success/failure’. The number of for unanticipated results. While target sequences for completed steps in the DRA process was also found primer design were selected due to their success in to decrease with each additional step. From these qPCR assays, the challenges faced throughout this findings, we can conclude that DRA use in wildlife project indicate that an alternative gene region might translocations is not frequently utilized currently but offer more favourable prospects for LAMP primer is increasing with time. Interpretation of success design. varied with case and measured criteria, limiting statistical correlation with different aspects of wildlife translocations, including DRAs, but that disease was SESSION TWO rarely included in the initial criteria for success. Chair: Olivier Nsengimana Based on these results and as conservation efforts and translocations of wild animals continues to Hematology, plasma biochemistry and increase, the use of disease risk protocols must morphological characterization of blood cells of likewise increase. Disease needs to become a the Southeastern girdled lizard (Zonosaurus standard consideration in all future wild animal maximus) translocation success parameters. Paul Barber

Keywords: wildlife health, wild animal health, Background: Southeastern girdled lizards (Zonosaurus conservation protocols, conservation success, conservation standardization maximus) are endemic to Madagascar and are threatened by habitat loss and the illegal pet trade. Hematology and biochemical data including morphological descriptions of blood cells haven’t previously been reported for this species. Objectives: The objective of this study was to establish baseline hematologic and biochemical intervals and

characterize the morphology, cytochemical staining Economic Zones (EEZ) (i.e. Maldives, Sri Lanka, and ultrastructural features of blood cells in Z. Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, and French EEZ maximus. (Reunion, Tromelin Island, Mayotte, and Scattered Methods: Hematology (including blood smear Islands in the Indian Ocean)). Descriptive statistics were evaluation) and biochemical analysis were performed to establish cetacean occurrence in BIOT. performed on blood samples from five adult lizards. Generalized linear models (GLM) were then used to Cytochemical staining (PAS-D, LAP, AB, TB and distinguish which environmental explanatory variables Luna) and TEM were used to help characterize blood (monthly sea surface temperature, monthly chlorophyll cells. A concentration, slope, depth, and distance to land) Results: The mean PCV was 29.4 ± 0.89% and could be used to identify cetacean habitat preference in WBC count was 18.8 ± 2.28x109/L of which the West Indian Ocean. Sperm whales were also lymphocytes were predominant (~50%). evaluated based on their historic and modern Hematopoietic origin of two unknown cell types were timeframe. Cetaceans from the Family Delphinidae did proposed, following cytochemical staining and TEM not give clear reasoning for their distribution. There was analysis, as heterophils with non-staining granules a clear difference in the presence and distribution of and azurophils, respectively. Morphology of modern sperm whales when compared to their historic remaining leukocytes and thrombocytes were counterparts. The evaluation of cetaceans is important consistent with that reported for other lizards. for forthcoming cetacean research and conservation Erythrocytes (>95%) contained cytoplasmic strategies in the West Indian Ocean and BIOT. inclusions which are consistent with degenerate organelles when using TEM. Erythrocytes, Keywords: Historical data, cetaceans, Marine heterophils (including those with non-staining Protected Area, British Indian Ocean Territory, granules), eosinophils, basophils, and azurophils Generalized Linear Model stained positive with PAS-D, whilst basophils and azurophils also stained positive with AB and TB. A standardised approach for assessing the Biochemical intervals appeared similar to other lizard status of tropical forest communities in species but varied greatly between individuals. the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon Conclusions: Heterophils with non-staining granules haven’t been reported in other reptile Rachel Taylor species. Monocytes and azurophils appear Terrestrial mammals play critical roles in the functioning simultaneously as distinct cell types. Hematology of forest ecosystems. Threats affecting the abundance and biochemistry results may be useful in diagnosing and distribution of these species are likely to influence and monitoring disease in this species. forest dynamics. In this study, we systematically survey

the Dja Faunal Reserve (DFR), Cameroon using five Keywords: Reptile, CBC, morphology, cytochemical standardised camera trap grids to assess the status of staining, TEM, ultrastructure medium-to-large terrestrial mammal species to provide baseline data for a long-term monitoring programme. Evaluating spatial and temporal distribution Camera traps are suitable for survey standardisation to patterns of cetaceans in the West Indian allow comparison of communities at different localities. Ocean: A comparison of historic and modern Mammal richness, trophic guild structure and relative records. abundance of taxa were measured using species detection, trapping rates and occupancy. We examined

Brittney Goodwin the effect of anthropogenic variables on distribution and abundance of targets of the illegal wildlife and bushmeat Knowledge of cetaceans in the West Indian Ocean trade using Bayesian modelling. In total, 33 species of is sparse in many areas. This is especially true for medium-to-large terrestrial mammals were the once largest marine protected area in the world, documented. Our findings suggest anthropogenic the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The use pressures are contributing to shaping community of historical records from whaling logs and data from structure within the DFR, but no single variable explored previously published work can be a valuable was the most important driver of distribution and resource in assessing the distribution and presence abundance. The medium-to-large mammal of cetaceans. The aim of this project is to evaluate communities differed between management sectors; which cetaceans are found in the British Indian the East and North sectors appear disturbed, while the Ocean Territory (BIOT) historically and currently, as South sector may represent a refugium. Rather than well as what factors are associated with the dramatically reducing species richness, presumed presences and absences of different cetacean anthropogenic pressures appear to be causing a shift in groups across regional analogous Exclusive the community composition, primarily towards rodents.

Results also suggest anthropogenic disturbance species home range size and population may have less impact on nocturnal, than diurnal, density along the rural to urban habitat gradient. duiker species, but further research is required. We 4. The results emphasise that perhaps some recommend terrestrial camera trap surveys in two species may be predisposed to successfully further locations, alongside an arboreal camera trap adapting to urban environments such as survey, to better characterise the overall mammalian carnivores/omnivores, as well as medium to richness and diversity of the DFR. large sized species. This may influence the way in which we learn to coexist with human- Keywords: Abundance, Bayesian analysis, camera adapted species increasingly living amongst us trap, community structure, disturbance, occupancy, and how conservation and/or management of species richness, trap rates these species are conducted.

Keywords: Rural, suburban, urban, home range size, The impact of diet and body size on the population density, carnivore, omnivore, herbivore, diet, spatial ecology of mammals along the rural to body size, natural-urban habitat gradient, comparative urban habitat gradient study

Elizabeth Adams Prey-catching behaviour in European : 1. With urbanisation occurring at an does it determine their success in the wild? exponential rate across the globe, the need to understand species responses to urban Jess Russell environments is also increasing. By studying the social structure and space use of As an attempt to save the critically endangered mammals it may facilitate this Mustela lutreola, captive-bred understanding. Previous research on urban individuals are released into the wild, with their captive environments suggest that they may offer behaviour, survival and dispersal distance monitored some favourable conditions which in turn annually. This was the first time that captive mink may act as a refuge for many species. behaviour was monitored and analysed in Spain, which Although studies on individual species is crucial for determining the optimal captive conditions responses to urbanisation is increasing, not to improve post-release survival. Prey-related many have conducted comparative analysis behaviour, as a function of survival, was the study’s between species. Such an analysis may focus because previously published literature showed showcase that certain intrinsic factors may that captive-born carnivores are particularly susceptible predispose a species to be able to to starvation. Altogether, 15 captive-born mink were successfully adapt to such environments. housed in seven enclosures and fitted with radio-collars 2. Specifically, this comparative study aims to prior to release in the Alava and La Rioja provinces, determine species responses to northern Spain, in August and September 2018. Captive urbanisation, focussing on how diet and behaviour was observed using camera traps and body size may influence species home studied as a function of the biological factors: sex, range size and population density along the enclosure size and enclosure conditions (housed alone rural to urban habitat gradient. or in family groups). The relationship of captive 3. Using data from 756 publications, the behaviour with post-release survival and dispersal analysis provided evidence of the negative distance was analysed. Sex predicted 66% of the linear relationship between home range size frequency of captive prey-related behaviour, enclosure conditions 50% and enclosure size 17%, implying that and population density for two species, the eurasian and red squirrel. sex is most suitable for predicting captive mink prey- Furthermore, the analysis supports previous related behaviour. The captive behaviours investigated evidence that most species tend to decrease here failed to predict post-release survival or dispersal their home range size and increase their distance, suggesting that mink’s captive activity budget population density in urban environments in does not predict these post-release factors. This study comparison to rural. However, by needs repeating over a minimum of three years to categorising the species into two diet increase the sample size. The relationship between categories of ‘carnivore/omnivore’ and release location and survival, and captive and wild behaviour needs to be determined in future research. ‘herbivore’ and also into four body size categories of ‘small’, ‘medium’, ‘large’, and Keywords: European mink; prey-related behaviour; ‘extra-large’, the analysis also highlighted reintroduction; survival; dispersal distance. that both diet and body size influences

Adoption behaviour and its effects on early Keywords: jubatus, alloparental care, non- survival and life-time recruitment of females kin adoption, survival, lifetime reproductive success, in Serengeti population demographics

Sara Betti SESSION THREE Chair: Kashmini Sumanasekera 1. Adoption is an extreme form of alloparental care where unrelated young are cared for Investigation of grey squirrel (Sciurus entirely by a non-biological parent. Parental carolinensis) feeding activity patterns to care of unrelated offspring can impose optimise the future delivery of an oral significant costs to the adopter but may also contraceptive have direct benefits. While alloparental care is not uncommon, non-kin adoptions are Fran Tubb rarely observed in mammals. 2. 2. Using (Acinonyx jubatus) as a Oral baits form an essential part of wildlife model species, this study investigates the management, as they facilitate the deployment of drugs adoptions of unrelated young in order to to free-living species for a wide variety of purposes, from understand the contexts around the disease control to population management. In Europe, occurrence of this behavior. The goal of this there is currently a particular need for an efficient oral study is to explore potential drivers of non- bait deployment strategy to successfully deliver an oral kin adoption behavior by evaluating its contraceptive to the invasive, grey squirrel species Sciurus carolinensis effects on individual survival and ( ). To maximise bait uptake and reproductive success. ensure a sufficient proportion of the target population 3. 3. A long-term data set from the Serengeti receive a dose, an understanding of the factors affecting Cheetah Project (SCP) in Tanzania was grey squirrel feeding activity and bait consumption is used to test whether the presence of an needed. This study aimed to use camera trap surveys adoptee in a litter influences cub survival and bait stations to 1) compare the feeding activity of between emergence from the lair and 12 grey squirrels between a number of English woodlands, months of age and adolescent survival to 2) assess the effects of factors such as season, day- between 12 and 24 months of age. Lifetime length, weather, squirrel population density, and previous culling attempts, upon squirrel feeding activity reproductive success of females was also compared between mothers that adopted in and bait uptake and to 3) use this information to make their lifetime and mothers who did not. specific recommendations which will optimise the future 4. 4. Results showed that adoption did not delivery of an oral contraceptive. The results of this have a significant effect on cub and study reflect the opportunistic and adaptable nature of adolescent survival, suggesting that cheetah the grey squirrel, as a number of factors which were mothers do not jeopardize the survival of expected to impact their feeding activity had no their biological offspring by adopting. significant effect. This means that the delivery of contraceptive bait is expected to be effective under Adoption behavior was correlated with most environmental conditions, although some higher lifetime reproductive success in adoptive females than non-adoptive recommendations could still be made (e.g. the females, unveiling the reproductive benefits avoidance of bait deployment in extreme weather associated with non-kin adoptions in conditions). Finally, it was also determined that further cheetahs. study is needed to determine whether a sufficient 5. 5. This study provides an understanding of proportion of individuals are able to access bait, or some of the evolutionary mechanisms and whether the social dominance hierarchy of grey benefits around the rare behavior of non-kin squirrels is causing bait monopolisation. This is vital as adoption in mammals, using cheetah as a if the latter occurs, the contraceptive will not be effective model species. These findings have also an at a population scale. important management implication: the propensity of cheetah mothers to adopt, without incurring any significant additional costs, raises the possibility of a mechanism

for reintroductions of cheetah cubs,

confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, back to the wild, before reaching adulthood.

Potential Applications of Personality Assessments data analysis revealed a model consisting of four factors to the Management of Non-Human Primates: (habitat disturbance, habitat specialisation, Reviewing 10 Years of Study overexploitation, and pollution) that best describes the variation in data. Therefore, commercially exploited Max Norman North American freshwater molluscs, which are habitat

specialists experiencing pressure from habitat Studies of primate personality have become disturbance and pollution, are at a higher risk of increasingly common over the past three decades. extinction than their remaining counterparts. There was Recently, studies begun to focus on the health, a significant positive correlation between habitat welfare and conservation implications of personality, disturbance and extinction risk, and significant negative and the potential applications of incorporating correlation between habitat specialisation and extinction quantitative personality assessments into animal risk. Additionally, despite being non-significant, management programmes. However, this literature overexploitation and pollution are still important is disparate and widely dispersed across a multitude contributors to the overall extinction risk a species is of settings and scientific disciplines. We present a under. These findings slightly differ from the ones of review of nonhuman primate personality studies other species groups, mostly in the non-significance of relevant to these issues published since 2010. Our species range as a correlate of extinction. This results reveal that, while primate personality emphasises the importance of separate analysis for research is carried out on a range of species, there each species group as the findings from one cannot be is strong taxonomic bias within the field and confidently applied to another. Findings of this project consequently many species which are common in are a fundamental step towards a more sophisticated collections, or of conservation priority, are approach of identifying potential species at risk of underrepresented. Further, the majority of studies extinction. carried out over the last decade focus on validating new assessment methods, rather than exploring the The combination of cortisol and behavioural links between personality and animal welfare using data collection in primates: use and existing validated methods. Of the studies that do methodological considerations for captive and explore animal personality in relation to social wild environments behaviour, management, health, and welfare, we identified increased progression towards integrating Taja Barber personality data into various aspects of animal management. Evidence suggests the assessment of Cortisol analysis and behavioural monitoring are personality may benefit social group management, common data used within studies of primates. The enrichment practices, training protocols, health and combination of the two lends itself to many fields, welfare monitoring, and conservation planning for including the study of welfare and endocrinology. This endangered primates. We argue that further review describes the fields in which this interdisciplinary research which develops our understanding of approach informs, including welfare, physiology and primate personality, and its relationship with health cognition. This includes the potential for its use in and welfare, will provide a valuable tool to inform conservation science, or in behavioural ecology where existing animal management practices. cortisol functions as a proxy in cost-benefit analysis models. The methodological considerations necessary Correlates of Extinction Risk in North American of primate studies in wild and captive (zoological Freshwater Molluscs institutions and laboratories) environments are discussed with the aim of informing future studies using Klara Gaspar both behaviour and cortisol. These settings determine the ability to use various matrices and present unique As the number of species threatened with extinction challenges. The potential for training and food swabbing increases, effective prioritisation methods must be are highlighted as potential avenues for studies wanting developed to efficiently allocate the limited resources to obtain saliva samples without the use of restraint. available to conservation. Investigating the Additional suggestions for studies aiming to use these correlates of extinction has become such method. It parameters in wild or captive primates are presented in identifies the intrinsic and extrinsic factors which the form of decision trees; their implementation may make a species group more vulnerable to extinction. improve animal welfare and study validity. However, despite being investigated for mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, invertebrates Keywords: Primate, physiology, behaviour, faecal have been widely overlooked. To bridge the glucocorticoid metabolite, welfare knowledge gap, this project investigated the correlates of extinction of freshwater molluscs. The

Nutritional Enrichment of invertebrates used SESSION FOUR as live-food in a zoo setting Chair: Mike Hoffman

Amy Aplin Prevalence of respiratory disease in Eastern TBC grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in relation to levels of air pollution found in London (UK) Retrospective study of morbidity and mortality identified at post-mortem Irene I Blas Torres examination of captive langurs (Trachypithecus spp) held within UK The increased rate of global urbanisation has recently Zoological Institutions: A nineteen-year exacerbated the significant public health problem of air review. pollution. Despite the known impact on human health,

little is known about the effects of urban air pollution on Marta Pereira wildlife health. In this study, we aim to assess lung

Langurs are Asian primates belonging to the health in grey squirrel populations across an urban air Colobinae subfamily. Most of the species are pollution gradient. Fifteen percent of individuals showed categorized as threatened by the IUCN, with a signs of pulmonary anthracosis and 20% of focal lung generalized trend for decreasing populations. These disease. Individuals from the high pollution sites had a species would benefit from investigation into the higher number of macrophages. This study shows main threats to population viability and sustainability. preliminary evidence for the impact of urban air pollution There is limited literature available on common on wildlife health, but further studies are needed to diseases or causes of death, either in a captive or confirm these findings and successfully control for free-ranging setting; this limitation in knowledge potentially confounding variables. could compromise the successful management of these species. This study aimed to evaluate the most Keywords: air pollution, urban wildlife, eastern grey common causes of morbidity and mortality identified squirrel, lung health, wildlife health in Trachypithecus species of langurs submitted for Inter-colony comparison of brown booby Sula post-mortem examination by zoological institutions, leucogaster foraging strategies in the world’s to inform best practice guidelines. Post-mortem largest living coral atoll examination and histopathology reports from 88 individuals of Trachypithecus species from six Sonia Vallocchia zoological organizations in the United Kingdom, between 2001 and 2020, were analyzed. Species Whilst tropical deforestation plays a significant role in included Javan langurs (Trachypithecus auratus; species distribution and is a key contributor to n=35), dusky langurs (Trachypithecus obscurus; extinction, the effects of climate change has n=28), François’s langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi; demonstrated profound influence on species’ range, n=16), purple-faced langurs (Trachypithecus expansion and contraction. Several studies have used vetulus; n=4), silvered langurs (Trachypithecus climatic data to identify present species distribution cristatus; n=4) and Phayre’s langur (Trachypithecus areas for conservation purposes. However, the phayrei; n=1). Morbidities found at post-mortem effectiveness of Madagascar’s protected area network examination and cause of death were recorded. (PAN) for conservation under future climatic Diseases affecting gastrointestinal and systemic scenarios has remained unclear. This research used an infections were the leading causes of death; linear ecological niche approach and applied a maximum foreign bodies were the most common cause of entropy (MAXENT) framework to model potential death. Interstitial pneumonia was commonly distributions for Eupleridae. Bioclimatic conditions for observed as a secondary finding to systemic the present day and future scenarios based on a infection. Heart abnormalities, anthracosis, and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) of 8.5 hemosiderosis were common findings but were not were used to calculate the predicted change in niche directly associated with mortality; further availability within Madagascar’s PAN. The results show investigation is necessary to assess the importance that that a small percentage of predicted niches for each of these conditions and whether they predispose to species will fall within the PAN, with fasciata other diseases. This study could provide an essential (5.8%), durrelli (7.5%) and Galidictis baseline for future research evaluating captive and grandidieri (7.7%) having the least. Galidictis grandidieri free-ranging langur health. (82.7%), Galidictis fasciata (-76.2%), Galidia elegans (- 58.1%), Salanoia durrelli (-55.6%), fossana (- 8.6%) and goudotii (-3.6%) where found to

have niche reductions within the PAN, whilst diagnoses, receiving guidance, including legal advice, Salanoia concolor (+45.2%) Eupleres goudotii and equipment needed as well as acquiring information major, (+23.3%) and Mungotictis decemlineata about disease in their area and being able to contribute (+3.5%) had niche expansions. The prediction to help wildlife in Costa Rica. provides support for the contention that individual protected areas and entire networks will not contain Keywords: Costa Rica, feasibility, motivations, substantial suitable niches for Eupleridae when obstacles, surveillance, wildlife. climate change proceeds. The findings can be used Correlations of habitat loss and extinction risk to inform IUCN’s Red List risk assessment. classification in forest-dwelling reptiles

Keywords: Eupleridae, , Madagascar, Tobias Capel ecological niche modelling, species distribution, maximum entropy Global biodiversity is under immense pressure from

Evaluating the feasibility of using data and anthropogenic threats such as habitat loss. Extinction samples provided by wildlife organisations to risk assessments are a tool to monitor the state of develop a national wildlife surveillance biodiversity and thus enable effective triage of scheme in Costa Rica conservation efforts. However, extinction risk assessments are time-consuming and require Gill Forester reassessment every 10 years to remain up to date. This study assesses whether a freely available remotely Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse nations on sensed dataset of global forest cover correlates to earth but very little is known about disease threats to threat status and extinction risk of a subset of forest- their wildlife. Biodiversity is increasingly threatened dwelling reptile species from the Sampled Red List world-wide by infectious and non-infectious Index. Using generalised linear models, the area of diseases, and pathogens carried by wildlife can forest cover within species ranges was found to be a threaten public health and domestic animal health. A significant predictor of extinction risk in univariate national wildlife disease surveillance programme is analysis and of threat status in a multivariate analysis. required to identify which wildlife diseases are Additionally, protected area coverage of forest habitat present, or emergent, and to guide further research was also found to be a significant predictor of extinction into their potential impacts. To explore the feasibility risk and threat status in univariate analyses. However, of developing a national wildlife disease surveillance forest loss was found to be a poor predictor in the scheme in Costa Rica, wildlife rehabilitation models produced. The multivariate models showed organisations, wildlife research organisations and species listed as being threatened by habitat loss by the veterinarians who work with wildlife were surveyed IUCN and habitat specialism were also significant using a standardised questionnaire and follow-up predictors of extinction risk and threat status, telephone interviews aimed at determining whether respectively. I discuss these results in light of findings these organisations had the capacity to produce the from previous investigations of extinction risk of the data and samples necessary to investigate the Sampled Red List Index reptile species and how the cause of mortality or morbidity in wildlife forest cover data can be incorporated into future IUCN encountered, and to assess their willingness to assessments that utilise range-size dependent criteria contribute, along with any perceived obstacles and B and D2. motivating factors. Respondents to the questionnaire encountered a number of ill and dead animals from Keywords: Reptiles, Squamates, Extinction Risk, a range of taxonomic groups and had a wide Forest Loss, Habitat Loss, Protected Areas geographical distribution. Almost all organisations had regular veterinary input and staff capable of taking a range of clinical and post-mortem samples, Using Big Data to extract opinions on plastic water bottles in London. and most organisations kept records of their data.

The majority collected samples for diagnostic Kailey McCarthy purposes, but type of sample collected, processing and storage varied widely. Almost all respondents Plastic pollution from single-use plastic is a serious were willing to contribute to a wildlife disease threat facing marine ecosystems. However, minimizing surveillance scheme. Perceived obstacles were this threat is a complex problem as society has become financial constraints, logistical constraints in getting accustomed to the convenience of single-use plastics. samples to diagnostic laboratories, staff time and Recently mass media and education documentaries, equipment needed, including for sample storage. like Blue Planet II have highlighted the dangers of ocean Motivations to contribute included access to timely plastic. In this paper, we seek to understand if these

large-scale campaigns have altered opinion around The partner organizations’ SMART sites compose over single-use plastic, specifically plastic water bottles, 1,607,100 km2 of protected area, 59% of which overlap using big data sources like social media and search with key biodiversity areas. SMART is primarily used in engines as a measure. This work, using London as IUCN Category II: National Parks, in which the primary an example, demonstrates how social media data habitat type is forested woodland, and the primary can provide insights into opinion change around threat is hunting or fishing for subsistence purposes. plastic water bottles and provides a framework for The majority of sites reported they utilize SMART at its extracting knowledge from Twitter data. Additionally, full potential (strategic planning). The duration of this study demonstrates how search engine data, SMART implementation significantly affects which specifically Google and Wikipedia can be used to phase of the adaptive management cycle a SMART site support Twitter findings. Findings show that there is is likely to be in. While the response rate from SMART an increased number of tweets, Google searches, sites was limited, this study offers insights into the and Wikipedia page views for plastic water bottles contexts in which a major conservation initiative, since the release of Blue Planet II. Furthermore, SMART, is implemented in protected areas around the these increases are significantly correlated in all data world. sets. Finally, public opinion around plastic water bottles has become more negative since the release Keywords: Protected Areas, Spatial Monitoring and of the documentary Blue Planet II. Reporting Tool, SMART, Conservation Technology, Ranger Patrols Keywords: Single-use plastic water bottles, Text mining, Sentiment analysis, Twitter, Social media, Search engine data, Plastic Pollution.

How SMART are Protected Areas? Determining the contexts in which the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) is used in conserved areas globally.

Camille Morales

In the midst of the Anthropocene, protected areas are vital to maintaining what is left of our planet’s biodiversity. However, increasing rates of habitat destruction and wildlife poaching within protected areas make it clear that better strategies are needed to mitigate these illegal activities. One such strategy is to increase the effectiveness of ranger-led law enforcement patrols in protected areas through innovative technology such as SMART (the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool). SMART aims to enable adaptive patrol management and allows protected area staff to collect patrol data in a standardized way, which streamlines decision- making on how to prioritize limited resources to areas of high threat. SMART is implemented in over 70 countries and 765 Protected Areas globally, yet the extent of the tool’s implementation, the variables that affect its implementation, and the contexts in which it is used are not well understood. Information about the sites’ age, area, primary habitat type, primary threat, biodiversity value, legal status, and utilization of SMART was gathered through consultation with the senior management of the nine non-governmental agencies that comprise the SMART partnership and an online survey. An ordinal logistic regression model (SPSS version 25) was used to test which variables affect the adaptive management phase a SMART site is likely to be in.