BIAZA Newsletter | Winter 2017 | Issue 13

One of the Research Committee’s key roles is to review research proposals from students and academics interested in pursuing research in a zoological setting. This process enables collections across the UK and Ireland to participate in multi-institutional projects that have been vetted and approved by our Committee members. Pre-vetting streamlines the process for each institution and is extremely beneficial for those collections with smaller research departments. Our aim is to increase best practice husbandry through scientific study.

treatment, and effective preventive measures against lumpy jaw are currently being sought by zoos worldwide. The aim of this research is to determine the housing and husbandry requirements that will prevent and/or reduce outbreaks of lumpy jaw in zoos. This multi- institutional investigation will focus on the roles that housing and husbandry may have on incidence and prevalence of lumpy jaw, in macropods species housed in zoos across the UK, Europe and Australia. We are investigating the effect that management procedures have on macropod health and welfare, and examining the efficacy of treatments provided. To identify best-practice housing and husbandry to manage this disease, several zoos across the UK, Europe and Australia have been visited. At each zoo, a retrospective investigation of lumpy jaw, using 20 years of zoo-based records, including husbandry, medical and post mortem reports (using ZIMS), was undertaken. We have obtained a wide range of information, including the specific housing systems and sizes in use, stocking densities, husbandry procedures/processes and biosecurity arrangements. The study also included direct observation of routine husbandry practices during macropod keeper rounds. The research is also exploring the incidence of disease in wild populations of macropods, using data from free-living animals (utilising skulls obtained from animals culled as part of population management) as the baseline for creating recommendations for optimal captive care of zoo- housed conspecifics. In addition, a detailed questionnaire has been sent to over 500 zoos across the UK, Europe, and Australia, requesting information on current/recent macropod housing, husbandry, incidence of lumpy jaw and any treatments provided. We have received a phenomenal response with over 20% of these zoos providing their data, many of which are BIAZA collections; this multi-institutional input will provide further support to our research findings. The results of this investigation will include the identification of the specific management practices associated with the development of lumpy jaw, the best management protocols to minimise disease risks, and the most effective remedial treatments. They will also form a baseline for revised housing, husbandry, health and welfare recommendations,

providing zoo keepers and veterinarians with a practical framework for the prevention, management and most effective treatment regime(s) for lumpy jaw in a captive environment. The anticipated benefits of these recommendations will be a decrease in morbidity and mortality rates associated with this challenging condition, thereby having a significant positive impact on the welfare of captive macropods, not just in zoos across the UK and Europe, but worldwide. A full list of references was supplied with the article; please contact Jessica Harley (details below) if you like a copy.

Keeper-led research DMZAA Spotlight (Drum roll...) In the 11th edition of BIAZA News

(Summer 2016) we featured an abstract from Lewis Rowden which was submitted as part of his coursework for completion of the Diploma in the Management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA) for the Sparsholt-BIAZA run programme. It gives us great pleasure

to direct you to the October issue of Zoo Biology where you will find Lewis’s article, A global survey of banteng ( Bos javanicus ) housing and husbandry. It is no small feat

to be published, and we are extremely proud of Lewis and the quality and integrity of the research projects conducted by DMZAA students. Keeper-led research is strongly supported by the RC, and we will continue to highlight the important contributions of research from those on the front line implementing best practice husbandry on a daily basis. Your contributions are welcome: Calling for articles, announcements, comments or other feedback you wish to share for the next issue: Contact: Jessica Harley Tel: +35318351999 or email: Jessica.harley@taytopark.ie

21

BIAZA News • Winter issue 13