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Updated: 19 minutes ago

This month we spotlight the work of our member Michelle Campbell-Ward, who has just had a new book chapter come out! Congratulations Michelle!


Congratulations on your new publication, can you give us some more background on that?

 

Claire Ford and I recently collaborated to write the first book chapter on the topic of ‘Welfare of Australian Mammals in Human Care’ – published last month in the textbook Australian Mammals: Biology and Captive Management, 2nd edition (edited by Stephen Jackson). It was a mammoth project, spanning many years and it has highlighted that although we have come a long way, there is still much work to do.

 

Name: Michelle Campbell-Ward

Institution: The University of Sydney (since July 2023)


Michelle Campbell-Ward, residency at The Ethics Centre 2024
Michelle Campbell-Ward, residency at The Ethics Centre 2024

Year and type of graduate student program(s)/additional training:

1995 Bachelor of Science (University of Sydney, Australia)

2000 Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons I) (University of Sydney, Australia)

2004-2007 Residency in Rabbit and Exotic Medicine (University of Edinburgh, UK)

2005 Certificate in Zoological Medicine (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, UK)

2007 Diploma in Zoological Medicine (Mammalian) (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, UK)

2014 Member of ANZCVS by examination in Medicine of Zoo Animals (Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists)

2019 Postgraduate Certificate in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law (University of Edinburgh)

2024 enrolled as a PhD candidate  - University of Sydney (topic: free-ranging wildlife health interventions in Australia: ethics, animal welfare and decision-making)

 

What is it that attracted you to work on wildlife originally?

During my first degree (Bachelor of Science), I was lucky enough to study zoology under the guidance of some amazing lecturers and also to participate as a volunteer on a number of wildlife-based field trips. My in-class and field experiences at that time were truly formative. I was captivated by the diversity of the animal kingdom and the range of wacky physiological adaptations that allowed different species to thrive in assorted habitats and niches as well as the complex interconnections between all forms of life. My ambition, since I was a very young child, had always been to be a veterinarian and while that still held, those early university days really cemented the concept in my mind that I could eventually combine being a veterinarian and work with wildlife.  

 

What has attracted you to wildlife welfare?

In a wildlife career that has spanned work in small and large zoo clinical practice, wildlife rehabilitation medicine and government regulation, I have been involved in many situations where decisions have been made for and on behalf of animals that are not necessarily in their best interests. Or conversely, where innovative caregiving and management techniques or new protocols have improved outcomes for animals. Until recently, there has not been a robust scientific framework through which to explore this. How wild animals experience the world around them remains largely a mystery but is one that I think we need to try to better understand as human and wild lives become increasingly intertwined. 


Michelle Campbell-Ward and koala patient at the Taronga Western Plains Wildlife Hospital. Photo credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Michelle Campbell-Ward and koala patient at the Taronga Western Plains Wildlife Hospital. Photo credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

How can WDA-A members work to improve wildlife welfare overall?

  • Lead by example, by ensuring that animal welfare is considered alongside all the competing priorities in their work and advocate for improvements, when gaps are identified.

  • Become familiar with different welfare frameworks and have a go at applying them to wild animals in different situations. Share your findings at conferences or in publications.

  • Support or participate in welfare-focused research -  reach out if you think there is something we could collaborate on.

  • Contribute knowledge and data to the developments of welfare-based charters, codes of practice, guidelines, protocols etc. 

 

What are some key reflections for you about your work in the wildlife health field in Australasia?

We have an incredibly collegial group of professionals across the country working hard to understand and improve so many different aspects of wildlife health. The generous sharing of knowledge and ideas and the respectful open discourse amongst these colleagues are things that we should treasure. 


The systems we work with and within are complex and evolving. One thing I see many people struggling with is decision-making. How do we make good decisions in the face of so much uncertainty? How can we balance or prioritise all the values at play, especially when they conflict? How do we proactively harness the passion of those who care and positively influence those who do not? These are important questions and I am excited to now be working at the interface of animal and environmental ethics to help us find a path forward that aims to bring some ease and confidence to situations that can feel overwhelmingly messy at times.


Michelle and koala patient at the University of Sydney Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital
Michelle and koala patient at the University of Sydney Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital

 

How has being involved in the WDA-A section helped you during your career and what advice might you have for prospective students?

WDA-A has been a crucial part of my career journey. As a student I had the opportunity to meet many inspiring pioneers in the field, to give my first ever conference presentation, and to make friends that remain dear to me to this day. When I moved to the UK in the 2000s, the WDA-A kept me tethered to my Australian roots and gave me an excuse to come home for the odd visit. More recently, and now back in the region, WDA-A has provided a platform for me to bring some of the science of animal welfare and the challenging realm of ethics to our region’s wildlife health problems. The openness and kind-spirited nature of the community is a welcoming environment for new ideas that I think are necessary to shape our future.

 

To the students of today, I say, do not hesitate – even for one second - to get involved! Sign up to attend a meeting – even if you do not know a soul. Even if you are just curious and have not yet decided on where you want to go professionally. I promise by the end of the first day, you will have made connections with the most unexpected of people, some of whom may well change your life, or at least the way you think about life.

 

What is your favourite non-scientific activity and how do you find time for it?

Hiking (although I am not sure if it counts as entirely non-scientific!). I prioritise getting out into nature every day, even if just for half an hour. It is essential to my well-being.

I also enjoy creative writing – but that is a pastime I am less strict about doing super regularly – I do occasionally sign up for workshops or enter competitions to challenge myself to create characters, plots and stories (many with a wildlife theme, obviously!). 


Michelle Campbell-Ward, python examination at the University of Sydney Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital
Michelle Campbell-Ward, python examination at the University of Sydney Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital

It is easy to get bogged down when considering the future for wildlife, what helps you stay motivated and positive in this field?

Spending time in the wilderness keeps me motivated. Sometimes I look at an old gnarly eucalypt and I think about what it has endured and witnessed in its time and yet it continues to flourish. Or I see a nest or a burrow that has been built by an animal against enormous odds, for example, in an environment that is under enormous anthropogenic pressure. If the wild things can tough it out, the instinctive primate in us can too. 

 

Anything else you want to highlight/talk about?

I would just like to give everyone out there doing their bit for wildlife a big thank you. The challenges we face (locally, globally, personally, professionally) can seem immense at times but with everybody contributing what they can, when they can and committing to work collaboratively, we can achieve great things.

 

Favourite WDA-A memory?

It is a recent one. It was such a treasure to be part of the WDA-A community that welcomed our WDA colleagues from around world to Canberra in 2024 for the international conference and hearing all of their engaging, inspiring and emotive stories of working at the human-wildlife interface.


Updated: 1 day ago

This month we spotlight the work of our member Brett Gardner, who won the IAAAM paper award in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases this year! Congratulations Brett!


Brett's paper is “Surveillance for Toxoplasma gondiiBrucella spp., and Chlamydia spp. in Australian Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) Abortions” https://meridian.allenpress.com/jwd/article/60/4/860/502634/Surveillance-for-Toxoplasma-gondii-Brucella-spp


Name: Brett Gardner (not the baseball player!)

Institution: One Health Research Group at Melbourne Uni and Werribee Open Range Zoo at Zoos Victoria

Year and type of graduate student program: 2024, PhD                                         


Brett Gardner
Brett Gardner

What is it that attracted you to your current graduate program and in particular to study in Australia?

When I was still based in South Africa, I loved working with aquatic species. When my partner landed a permanent position in Victoria, I started doing locum work for Zoos Victoria and then heard through the grapevine that Dr. Jasmin Hufschmid (a fellow WDA-A member), who ended up becoming my PhD supervisor had funding available for a master’s project on Australian fur seals. I had really enjoyed working their very close cousins, Cape fur seals, so this was immediately appealing to me. I am not good at sitting still and have always wanted to pursue post-grad studies so it felt very serendipitous that I could end up working on a group of animals I was passionate about. There is also a certain prestige and quality of the research produced by the vet school at Melbourne Uni that was very alluring.


Kalkbay South Africa teaching a colleague anaesthesia and disease sampling in a Cape fur seal
Kalkbay South Africa teaching a colleague anaesthesia and disease sampling in a Cape fur seal

What has attracted you to focus on marine species?

I have always had an interest in aquatic environments despite growing up inland in South Africa. Scientifically, we know comparatively little of marine species. When I started working with aquatic species, I soon realized that a large proportion of my work was pretty novel. I have also been drawn to conservation issues from my earliest childhood. So, combining these interests to work on an understudied aspect of the marine environment in addition to being out in the elements finding ways to make your study work was absolutely appealing and felt meant for me.


Third trimester aborted fetus from an Australian fur seal from Kanowna Island - Australia
Third trimester aborted fetus from an Australian fur seal from Kanowna Island - Australia

How can WDA-A members connect more with these species and ecosystems?

Go out there and connect with your local ocean ecosystem. In Australia, we are truly fortunate that most of the population live in relatively close proximity to the ocean. Being this near to the ocean means we are even more susceptible to changes in it. Choose a beach you frequently walk, a pier you frequently snorkel, a rock pool where your kids play or any part of the marine ecosystem dear to you and become a local custodian. You do not need to watch whales breaching to love the living creatures in the ocean, sometimes even a tiny "by the wind sailor" (a type of hydrozoa - Velella) washed out during a storm can be enough to inspire fascination. If more of us contribute to understanding our personal bits of ocean around us and inspire more people to care about them, the better the chance that we might be able to save our marine ecosystems from collapse.


Brett Gardner setting up for a necropsy of an aborted fur seal pup in the field
Brett Gardner setting up for a necropsy of an aborted fur seal pup in the field

What types of day-to-day decisions would be beneficial for marine conservation in Australia?

I am not a big fan of discussing politics, but politics is what will either save or destroy our oceans. Know what and who you are voting for and whether they are notorious for breaking their promises about the environment. The current government just signed off on one of the biggest gas mining projects on the coast of WA and allowed Tasmanian salmon farms a variety of exemptions, circumventing environmental laws. Queensland has just expanded their shark culling program against all the best scientific advice. You can be informed and responsible about your consumption of seafood (if you consume seafood). A very large portion of seafood in Australia originates from destructive fishing methods, often in countries far away. Most definitely, do not purchase farmed Tasmanian salmon. This industry is one of the biggest local threats for marine extinctions in Tasmania, where we stand to lose amazing endemic species such as the Maugean skate and entire ecosystems.


What were some key reflections for you about your work in the wildlife health field in Australasia?

I have only achieved the work I have done because I was fortunate enough to work with other amazing people and colleagues. So much of what we discovered in our research was novel and it makes one realize that if something as charismatic as the Australian fur seal has so much not known about them, in particular their disease ecology, then how much less do we know about cryptic species like the red velvetfish that hide along our great southern reef. By trade I am originally a clinical zoo and wildlife veterinarian with a special interest in anesthesia. Now, I am working in the One Health sphere and learning about epidemiology in the marine environment. We need more people to dedicate part of their time to understanding and conserving this critical ecosystem, even if it is not what you originally studied or worked on.


Brett Gardner above a breeding colony of Australian fur seals on Kanowna Island
Brett Gardner above a breeding colony of Australian fur seals on Kanowna Island

How has being involved in the WDA-A section helped you during your program and what advice might you have for prospective graduate students?

Being involved in the WDA-A has connected me with a network of ingenious and passionate minds striving to protect wild places. This community has been extremely supportive and have been a great sounding board upon which to refine ideas. Use the opportunity of the familiarity of the WDA-A events to meet people who can mentor you, inspire you and with whom you can enjoy the work we all do together. The WDA-A is very focused on interdisciplinary collaboration that fosters a One Health approach to wildlife conservation. Our organization has a large veterinary membership and is also strongly focused on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife. Take the time to join other meetings of like-minded people as a WDA-A member and foster those cross-organizational relationships. A great conference for those interested in the Australian marine ecosystems is AMSA (Australian Marine Sciences Association). Their 2025 conference is in July (https://www.amsa.asn.au/).


What is your favourite non-scientific activity and how do you find time for it?

I find a great peace underwater and absolutely love scuba diving. Even bad weather can still produce a wonderful dive as your world shrinks, your view focuses on the tiny things you can still observe with reduced visibility, and the thoughts in your mind quieten. Sometimes, it is just nice to be underwater and feel the movement of the ocean. I have a very like-minded dive partner and we both love diving, so often you need just a small after-work window to do a night dive or a sneaky morning dive before the day gets going.


Where do you hope to go after completion of your program?

In my dream world I would dedicate 100% of my professional career to marine conservation medicine and research. I would also love to be teaching students as there are very few things as gratifying as seeing your students surpass you in their careers and accomplishments. I am slowly working on it and try to contribute to both Australia where I now live but, also to share the privileges of knowledge and skills I have acquired here, with my colleagues in Southern Africa, a place that is always near in my heart.

Name: Anna Langguth

Institution: The University of Melbourne

Year and type of graduate student program: Year 3, Doctor of Philosophy, Veterinary Science (PhD)                                               


Anna Langguth
Anna Langguth

What is it that attracted you to your current graduate program and in particular to study in Australia?

Ever since graduating as a veterinarian, I have been meaning to bridge the gap between my previous studies and the wildlife research field. I felt that a PhD was really the best way to do that! When the project I’m currently working on came up, it instantly caught my attention. Not just because I would be working with bats (which is amazing in and of itself), but also because the project focused on mitigating the potential effects of a disease that had not yet entered Australia. I felt that it was very rare to see a project looking into pre-emptive strategies to combat a wildlife disease rather than just its impacts. I never thought I would move to Australia, but it has been such a wonderful opportunity to experience a country that has such a rich diversity of untouched nature and wildlife.  


Southern bent-winged bat, photo credit Lucas Langguth.
Southern bent-winged bat, photo credit Lucas Langguth.

What has attracted you to focus on bats?

Bats have been among my favourite animals since childhood. When I was younger, my parents would take me to “bats nights” where a member of a local nature conservation group would make bat calls audible to us with an ultrasound detector. The fact that these small, flying mammals were out there - almost invisible to the eye - catching insects out of thin air absolutely fascinated me. At one point, I remember owning a book with stunning high-quality pictures of bats in flight as well, which drew me to them even more. There is such a diversity among bats! I probably also liked bats because they are such “underdogs” (i.e. they are often vilified in popular media), and so I naturally felt like I just had to share my enthusiasm for these species with others and convince them that bats were, in fact, quite amazing. From a professional perspective, bats are wonderful small mysteries to me. I’ve become quite interested in wildlife immunology in recent years, and what better mammals to look at in terms of complex immune responses than bats?


Southern bent-winged bat, photo credit Xin Yi Yu.
Southern bent-winged bat, photo credit Xin Yi Yu.

How can WDA-A members connect more with bats?

If anybody is keen to get more involved in the bat community, the Australasian Bat Society is a great place to start! They are a really welcoming group of people with a fantastic set of resources on their website: https://www.ausbats.org.au/ This includes the BatMap, an interactive map of the entire country that lets you see the distribution of all known species across Australia. They also host regular events, so keep an eye out for those! And if you are really keen to get closer to the bats in your area, there are devices such as the Echo Meter Touch, that plug into your phone and can make bat calls audible for you. Although there are some species, such as the white-striped free-tailed bat, whose calls are actually audible to the human ear without the need for any devices!


Working with bats
Working with bats

What types of day-to-day decisions would be beneficial for bat conservation in Australia?

While the best thing people can do for wildlife is usually to not disturb them (i.e. to not enter mines or caves which are known roosts), there are a couple of things people can do to help out bats in their neighbourhood:

  • At home/on private land:

    • Minimise light levels by switching off outside lights at night or use lights with a longer wavelength (i.e. red/ orange spectrum).

    • Why not consider building a bat roost box as a fun project with family/ friends to provide bats with some extra spaces to roost?

    • If you are netting your fruit trees, the risk of flying foxes getting tangled in the netting can be reduced significantly if the net is spread tautly over a frame rather than thrown loosely over the tree – black/ mono-filament types of netting should be avoided.

    • When pruning older trees, have a look at some of the tips provided by the Australasian Bat Society to help preserve potential bat roosts.

    • Minimise pesticide use.

  • While driving

    • Be mindful on roads at dawn and dusk: These are peak bat activity times. Reducing speed near known bat habitats (like forests or waterways) can help prevent collisions.

  • In urban & community planning

    • Support green spaces: Advocate for the inclusion of native trees and water features in local parks and reserves.

  • In recreation & caving

    • Follow decontamination protocols: When visiting caves, clean gear to prevent the spread of fungal spores like Pseudogymnoascus destructans (the cause of White-nose Syndrome).

    • Respect cave closures and signage: They are in place to protect bat maternity or hibernation sites.

  • Awareness

    • Stay informed and share knowledge: Helping others understand the importance of bats - as pollinators, insect control, and ecosystem engineers - builds public support for their conservation!


You received an Honourable Mention in the Art for Science category at the Wildlife Disease Association meeting in Canberra in 2024 for “When We Sleep: A story of a bat family surviving the seasons amidst the looming threat of an exotic fungus”. What were some key reflections for you from that meeting?

A key realisation for me has been the incredible potential of expressing our work in different formats. Not only does this give people whose strengths might not lie in traditional scientific conference presentations a way to share their work and experiences, but it also allows for stronger emotional connections through the use of the arts. I believe that emotional connection is vital as people will invest in what they care about. And as scientists working in wildlife health, that is ultimately what we want: for people to care about our work, support it, and, in doing so, support the health of wildlife.


Anna Langguth
Anna Langguth

How has being involved in the WDA-A section helped you during your graduate student program and what advice might you have for prospective graduate students?

Before moving to Australia, I was a member of the European section of the WDA and made many wonderful friends through it. When I arrived here, I was excited to discover that quite a few of my new colleagues were members of the Australasian section – where I was welcomed very warmly. Through the WDA-A, I have had the opportunity to form new connections, expand my network, and rapidly learn a lot about a diverse range of Australian species. These new friendships and connections have been invaluable not only professionally, but also personally. Fellow people in the field tend to understand the unique struggles faced by graduate researchers much better than people outside of it. It is a huge relief to be able to talk through worries and challenges with people who truly empathise with this very niche way of life. My advice to prospective graduate students would be don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make these new connections - especially within the WDA-A. Most people will be more than kind and inviting, and the advice you will receive can be incredibly helpful when you are trying to decide what direction to take next. Building connections is also a great way to open up future opportunities, whether it is a PhD or a job. And perhaps most importantly, it is wonderful to have friends in the wildlife field who really get what you are going through. And I truly believe the WDA-A is the best place to find those people.


What is your favourite non-scientific activity and how do you find time for it during a graduate student program?

I’ve been a hobby artist for most of my life and it really helps me unwind. I do not think you “find” time for certain activities; you have to actively make time for them. Personally, I tend to take most of my weekend off and will then sit down with whatever piece I am currently working on (currently trying my hand at watercolours), make myself a nice cup of tea or coffee and listen to some music I enjoy. It is very important for me to set time aside to do the things I enjoy – that is the only way I have energy to focus on my work during the week.


Where do you hope to go after completion of your program?

While I would be more than happy to pursue a postdoctoral position once I finish my PhD, I ultimately see myself moving into a more administrative role within wildlife health. I am particularly interested in the intersection of immunology and epidemiology, and I would love to eventually contribute to large-scale wildlife disease surveillance programs – whether in a governmental or academic setting. I have also discovered that I really enjoy teaching, so if I remain in academia, I would love to incorporate that into my work. Of course, a role that connects to bat conservation or allows me to continue working with bats in some capacity would be the dream! 

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