Objectives

The objectives of the Health and Disease program are:

• to promote the study of disease in Perth Zoo collection animals, particularly those that relate to preventative health, biosecurity and the conservation of threatened species
• to provide opportunities for undergraduate, postgraduate and post-doctoral research into animal health and disease at Perth Zoo
• to act as a focus for communication with external agencies for collaborative research efforts in this area
• to communicate and promote the role of Perth Zoo in animal health and disease research to zoo staff, other state and federal institutions and the general public.

Background

The investigation of health and disease issues has long been a priority at Perth Zoo, as such investigations are instrumental to maintaining the well-being of the collection animals. This research area focuses on preventative health strategies, in addition to disease investigation.

Perth Zoo has undertaken a number of substantial collaborative projects in this area. Research partners have included Murdoch University, Department of CALM, UWA, and Royal Perth Hospital. Completed projects include:

• Investigation of hepatitis B incidence in Silvery Gibbons, and determination of an effective vaccination regime for exposed infants (Masters project, in collaboration with Royal Perth Hospital)
• Investigation of congenital vestibular disease in two related litters of Sumatran Tigers (in collaboration with Taronga Zoo)
•  Discovery of a new species of Demodex mite in Dibblers (internal project)
• Investigation of renal oxalosis in collection koalas (internal project)

Projects currently active in this program include:

• Vertical transmission of toxoplasmosis in marsupials (PhD project, Murdoch University
• Epidemiology of disease in Gilbert’s Potoroos (Masters project, Murdoch University and Department of CALM)
• Investigation of the prevalence and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis hominis in primates (PhD project, Murdoch University)
• Validation of faecal progesterone metabolite assays to determine ovarian cyclicity and function in Orang-utans (undergraduate project, UWA)

Perth Zoo is well equipped to provide biological materials for a wide range of health and disease study projects. The Zoo stores serum and DNA samples from all species in the collection, as the opportunity arises during routine procedures and necropsy. Samples may also be collected on request for specific projects approved by the zoo’s research and ethics committees.

Research projects which have benefited from this arrangement include:

• Assisted reproduction in African Painted Dogs (S.Johnston, University of Queensland)
• Subclinical cryptococcosis in Koalas (M. Krockenberger, University of Sydney)
• Visual capabilities of the Numbat (C. Arrese, University of Western Australia)

Program Staff

Program Leader

Dr Simone Vitali
Senior Veterinarian, Perth Zoo

Other Perth Zoo staff:

Dr Paul Eden
Associate Veterinarian, Perth Zoo

Dr Rebecca Vaughan
Veterinary Resident, Perth Zoo

Perth Zoo Veterinary nurses

Outside collaborators 

Dr Kris Warren
Murdoch University

Prof Andrew Thompson
Murdoch University, Chair PZ Research Committee

Dr Cleve Main
Dept of Agriculture; Australian Wildlife Health Network representative

Dr Phillip Clark
Associate Professor in clinical pathology, Murdoch University

Dr Stan Fenwick
Veterinary Public Health lecturer, Murdoch University

Dr Cree Monaghan, Director of Animal Health Services and Research, is currently working part-time and is unable to participate in this program. Her inclusion as part of this program will be pursued when she returns to more full-time duties.

Current Strategies

1. Conduct scientific investigations or support the scientific investigation of diseases or pathologies of Perth Zoo collection animals or animals of key conservation value.

2. Conduct scientific investigations into parasitology of Perth Zoo collection animals or animals of key conservation value.

3. Develop novel preventative medicine regimes for Perth Zoo collection animals.

4. Investigate issues relating to quarantine and biosecurity

Proposed New Activities

Parasitology

• Investigate the pathogenesis and transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in macropods via serological surveys of current collection and any newly-born joeys.
• Investigate the epidemiology of cryptococcosis in collection animals caused by Cryptococcus gatti

Biosecurity

• Develop quarantine policies for the management of mycobacterium species in aquatic species, especially crocodiles and fish.

Disease Investigations

• Retrospective assessment of the incidence and impact of iron storage disease in the bird collection.
• Investigate any recent advances in the treatment of capture myopathy in macropods.
• Retrospective epidemiological investigation of an avian tuberculosis outbreak in the bird collection.

(taken from p22 of the Perth Zoo Research Business Plan)