Garden Wildlife Health is a citizen science project dedicated to investigating the infectious and non-infectious causes of disease in our garden wildlife.
Focussing on amphibians, hedgehogs, birds and reptiles, we undertake crucial research into the diseases affecting our native species.
To celebrate the renewal of the project’s funding by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, together with our partners at the BTO, RSPB and Froglife, we invited people from our forum organisations, as well as members of the academic, wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, animal, trade and government communities to join us for a garden party with a difference.
Held in the inspirational setting of the David Attenborough Building, Cambridge on June 1st, the day involved talks on all aspects of Garden Wildlife Health’s work to date, including: updates on diseases such as finch trichomonosis, which has caused a catastrophic decline in our greenfinch (Chloris chloris) populations; news of recent discoveries, like snake fungal disease in wild European snakes; and the vital work being undertaken by our partners in supporting the project, and championing wildlife-friendly gardening practises.
As our largest meeting yet, with over 60 people in attendance, we discussed ways to help raise awareness of the project amongst members of the public, increase collaborations between forum organisations, and continue to communicate our findings to the world at large.
To learn more about Garden Wildlife Health, the species and diseases we work with, and how you can become a citizen scientist, visit our website, or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
The Garden Wildlife Health project is funded by Defra and the Welsh Government through the Animal & Plant Health Agency’s Diseases of Wildlife Scheme Scanning Surveillance Programme (Project ED1600), the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare.
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