Southern bent-wing bat numbers may still be declining - a real concern in an already critically endangered mammal. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The population of an endangered Australian bat suddenly dropped by up to 16%. No one knows why

Exclusive: Scientists say about 5,000 fewer southern bent-wing bats have been recorded at a key maternity site for the species

theguardian.com

My favourite Australian animal - great to see it edging back from the brink!

Wildlife Disease Association - Australasian Section@wdaa.bsky.social · 3w ago

🎉 A rare conservation win! The Numbat has been downlisted from Endangered to Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List after decades of science-led conservation. A powerful reminder that collaboration and long-term commitment can reverse declines. 🦡💚 #Conservation #WildlifeHealth

🧪An excellent new study by Gillings et al. shows how PFAS affects house sparrows at urban sites near Melbourne with industrial contamination. Young birds were the most affected, and PFOS was the most dominant compound. pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Early Life Uptake and Elimination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in a Seasonally Invertivorous Bird

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) impairs avian reproduction and development, yet uptake and elimination pathways in birds remain poorly resolved. To better understand these proce...

pubs.acs.org

Nerves of steel from the Swiss Football team today. Hopp Schwiiz! Super gmacht. 🇨🇭⚽️🥳 It was worth getting up early for.

Another case of H5N1 in a wild bird is really worrying. No major outbreak yet, but spill over into a susceptible native animal population becomes ever more likely. More details on avian influenza and what to do if you suspect a case see comments below. Do not touch! www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...

Deadly bird flu discovered in second Australian state

A third confirmed case of the deadly H5 bird flu has been found in a migratory bird on Australia's southern coast.

abc.net.au

This is why vaccination saves lives. Not just yours, but also the life of others, including those more susceptible to severe disease and death. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...

As Ebola spreads, Australia faces rise in 'biblical' disease risks

The bugs that cause Ebola, hantavirus and diphtheria are microscopic, but many of the barriers to controlling them are human-sized.

abc.net.au

Until Friday, Australia was the only continent free from HPAI H5N1. Sadly, this is not the case - a 2344b confirmation in a Brown Skua, and a suspected case in a Northern Giant Petrel which turned up in WA. 👉 www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06... (1/x)

You have probably heard that the first case of H5N1 avian influenza/bird flu has been reported from Australia. What does this mean? We don’t really no yet. It could be a single case, or it could be the first of many. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...

First case of deadly H5 bird flu confirmed in Australia

The virus, found in a migratory bird in Esperance, raises concerns for the poultry industry despite Australia having spent years preparing for such a biosecurity breach.

abc.net.au

The way we change the world around us matters - for so many reasons, including health and disease. Our health, animal health and environmental health = One Health. Let's work towards reducing the likelihood of the next pandemic. Great article by Chris Walzer. news.mongabay.com/2026/06/we-m...

We must prevent the next pandemic, not build perfect conditions for it (commentary)

In recent weeks, two outbreaks captured international attention: a hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise ship and an escalating outbreak of Bundibugyo ebolavirus in Central and Eastern Africa. How the...

news.mongabay.com

This has been my philosophy for some time now :)

Happy birthday to a legend of nature and science communication! www.abc.net.au/news/science...

Sir David Attenborough turns 100: Celebrate his life in his words

Natural history broadcaster Sir David Attenborough turns 100 today. We look back at his work and interviews to capture some of his wisdom and endless sense of wonder.

abc.net.au

🧪 Recent work by our student Eliza Stott.

One Health Research Group, Melbourne Veterinary School@ohrgmelbourne.bsky.social · 3mo ago

OHRG PhD student Eliza stott recently published a paper describing the pharmacokinetics of moxidectin in bare-nosed wombats, comparing intravenous, subcutaneous and transdermal application. You can find a non-expert summary here: wildlifehealth.blog/2026/04/22/c....

A heartbreaking story about the potential fatal long term impacts of measles, even if the initial infection is survived. Rare, but devastating and entirely preventable. Measles Took My Daughter. This Is What I Want Everyone to Know. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/21/o...

Opinion | Measles Took My Daughter. This Is What I Want Everyone to Know.

nytimes.com

Diclofenac (Voltaren) has been found in significant concentrations in rivers in Switzerland. The drug has negative health impacts on aquatic organisms. The gel enters waste water through hand washing, showers etc. www.srf.ch/news/schweiz...

Schweizer Flüsse überschreiten häufig Grenzwerte für Diclofenac

Über das Abwasser gelangen Rückstände des Wirkstoffs Diclofenac in Gewässer – mit Folgen für die Lebewesen.

srf.ch

www.theguardian.com/environment/... Heat waves are devastating to flying fox colonies. The good news is that the sprinkler systems installed in some colonies anecdotally seem to help though.

More than 80% of flying fox colony wiped out as January heatwaves kill thousands of bats

Only 180 bats survived intense heat in South Australian town, including 34 babies that carers say face months of recovery

theguardian.com

We have lost a wonderful scientist, and our much admired vice chancellor much too soon. My condolences especially to Prof Johnston‘s family. www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

‘Unfathomable loss’: University of Melbourne’s vice chancellor dies at 52

Professor Emma Johnston, the university’s first female vice chancellor, has died less than 12 months after taking up the role.

theage.com.au

Wildlife Disease Association - Australasian Section@wdaa.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Meet Alison Peel A dedicated wildlife vet and bat ecologist, and recipient of the 2025 Barry L. Munday Award! Ali has been a long-time, valued member of our community💚🦇 Read her full spotlight on: www.wda-a.org/post/member-...

Join our lab! The Disease Ecology Lab at the USYD is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to explore drivers of infectious diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface 🌐 www.sydney.edu.au/scholarships... #PhD #Scholarship #DiseaseEcology #Epidemiology #WildlifeHealth #OneHealth #USYD

Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Disease Ecology and Epidemiology

sydney.edu.au

pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/our...

Our world-first study found ‘forever chemicals’ in Australian possums

Australian possums tested in Melbourne are the 'canaries in the coal mine' for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in our urban wildlife finds University of Melbourne research.

pursuit.unimelb.edu.au

Urban possums in Melbourne, Victoria, have among the highest PFAS levels previously documented in terrestrial mammals anywhere in the world. Congratulations Ellis Mackay on your first paper! doi.org/10.1016/j.sc...

🎓 Graduate opportunity! The University of Melbourne’s School of BioSciences is seeking MSc students for a funded One Health-inspired project on how the gut microbiome can boost conservation success in Australian mammals. Contact Dr. Ashley Dungan: ashley.dungan@unimelb.edu.au

🧪Great work by Jacinta Colvin and team from RMIT and our partners at Phillip Island Nature Park.

Springer@springer.springernature.com · 9mo ago

🌊🐦 New in 'Environmental Science and Pollution Research': Fledgling short-tailed shearwaters on Phillip Island show rising plastic ingestion, larger particles, and poorer body condition—warning signs for seabird health. bit.ly/47bs3FB #ResearchPublishing #PlasticSky @jhufschmid.bsky.social

🧪🦇 Congratulations, @alangguth.bsky.social for publishing the first of her PhD papers. More to come!

Anna Langguth@alangguth.bsky.social · 10mo ago

First paper of my PhD just got published! Want to find out how to make your own bat cells from field samples? Check it out! 👉 peerj.com/articles/20222 Thanks to my wonderful co-authors @labrannelly.bsky.social, Chris, Tomás, @nicholaswu.bsky.social @jhufschmid.bsky.social and Ellen 🦇

Excellent work by our fabulous final year DVM student Bridget Graffeo - and the MVS Parasitology team around Prof Abdul Jabbar.

AWMS@awmsociety.bsky.social · 10mo ago

New publication! AWMS member Jasmin Hufschmid and her colleagues have recently published a paper describing gastrointestinal helminth parasites of red foxes around the city of Melbourne. Read the paper here: doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...

Vote for your favourite Australian Bird of the Year! First round of voting closes tonight. A great opportunity to learn more about some of Australia's amazing avifauna. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Australian bird of the year 2025: vote for your favourite #birdoftheyear in the Guardian / BirdLife Australia poll

From little penguins to (very big) cassowaries, every bird has its fans. Vote for your favourite in the 2025 Guardian/BirdLife Australia poll

theguardian.com

Congratulations to Dr Anna Langguth, winner of the Student Award at this year‘s WDA-A conference for her presentation on zymosan challenge trials in eastern bent-wing bats. @alangguth.bsky.social #wdaa2025

Congratulations to Dr Alison Peel, winner of this year‘s prestigious WDA-A Barry L Munday Award for her extraordinary and extensive contributions to the field of wildlife health. @alibat.bsky.social #wdaa2025

We in WDA-A are deeply saddened to hear of Jane Goodall’s passing earlier today. Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family and friends. Her legacy in wildlife conservation, empathetic science, and inspiring generations will forever ripple across the world.

My student Anna presenting some of her PhD work at this year‘s Wildlife Disease Association Australasian meeting. Always a great bunch of people passionate about wildlife health to hang out with.

Wildlife Disease Association - Australasian Section@wdaa.bsky.social · 10mo ago

PhD student Anna Langguth presenting on immune responses to challenge with Zymosan in eastern bent-wing bats at #WDAA2025