Wildlife diseases
Disease risk analysis
Institute of Zoology
Zoological Society of London
London
NW1 4RY
The DRAHS team works to analyse and reduce the risks from conservation translocations through disease risk analyses, disease risk management protocol development, undertaking health examinations prior to release, and post-release health surveillance.
Jess' role covers each of these aspects of the Disease Risk Analysis and Health Surveillance (DRAHS) work, principally for native British species, including the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), red kite (Milvus milvus), white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and native UK butterflies, at different stages of their conservation. Jess is passionate about wildlife health and is particularly interested in the epidemiology of diseases with zoonotic potential in free-living wild animal populations and how this can be used to positively impact conservation and ecosystem health.
Jess has a background as a small animal veterinarian, having completed the Wildlife Health MSc in 2021-2022 with the Royal Veterinary College and ZSL. Jess has remained interested in wildlife health and diseases in particular, and has undertaken many volunteer opportunities across the globe, as well as currently volunteering as a vet in her spare time with her local British wildlife hospital.
The evolving methods of the DRAHS team are tested on current translocation projects for conservation purposes in collaboration with Natural England - see the DRAHS page for more information on current projects.