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Wildlife conservation and Animal welfare

Wildlife conservation and animal welfare is an emerging field of research due to the growing awareness of the urgent need to conserve and protect our unique native animals. Researchers in the Faculty of Veterinary Science have made major advances in improved conservation of many native animals. Traditionally this has been achieved through collaborative studies with external organizations such as the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales, where several staff are honorary research associates.

An example of this is the establishment of the Australian Marine Mammal Research Centre in 1996, supported by various bodies including the Australian Stock Exchange. More recently, Faculty obtained $2.61 million federal funding for the establishment of a new Wildlife Health and Conservation Centre at Camden. The centre will serve as a clinical training and research centre for native animal medicine, surgery, and study of fundamental biology and behaviour. With increasing Faculty involvement in Pest Animal Control and the Australian Invasive Animal CRCs, with emphasis on native animal conservation, it is anticipated that the new Centre will become the national focus for research in this area.

Current Major Research Projects

  • Impacts of fox predation on native fauna on Arthursleigh
  • Deterrence of fruit bats in the Botanic Gardens Sydney
  • Post-release survival of rehabilitated wombats.
  • Management of urban foxes in Sydney.
  • Population variation of Antarctic pack seals around the Antarctic continent (Leopard seal)
  • Predetermination of sex in captive primate breeding programs through sperm sorting
  • Control (eradication) of carp in inland waterways
  • Prevention and Treatment of Chlamydiosis and Cryptococcosis in Koalas
  • The interface of ecology and infection in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus gattii

Resources

  • A new Wildlife Health and Conservation Centre at Camden, which was officially opened May 2nd, 2007
  • Access to staff and resources of National Parks and Wildlife; Royal Botanic Gardens; Australian Museum
  • NSW Zoological Parks Board (Taronga and Western Plains Zoos)
  • Industry support from Australian Koala Foundation, Koala Protection Society of NSW, Pfizer Animal Health, WIRES
  • Hermon Slade Foundation