Better health checks for rare species

Monday 02 February 2015

Changes to the Island's animal welfare law with help protect more rare and endangered species both here and around the world.

Vets at Durrell will now be able to apply for a license to take blood samples from different species to get a much better idea of what is normal and healthy and how to care for them.

Durrell’s Head of Veterinary Services Andrew Routh said: “Though, previously, we have been allowed to take diagnostic samples from animals in order to treat disease we have been prevented from routinely sampling healthy animals.

“Comparison of values from an animal that might be ill with values from healthy animals can be essential for comprehensive veterinary management. The proposed changes to the legislation will give us an opportunity to establish data in some of the rare species we hold in order to make these comparisons.”

Carrying out routine tests could prove vital for the survival of a species.

Mr Routh said: “For many of our species, especially those in our conservation breeding programmes, we may be the sole holders of that species in captivity and there are no established normal values available. Any veterinary treatment being carried out may be the very first time this has been done worldwide.”

The revised law could also help some of the Island's native and rare wildlife species. 

Mr Routh said: "Jersey is fortunate to be home to some charismatic and rare wildlife species. At present our only active work with Jersey wildlife is with the reintroduction of the chough and head-starting tadpoles from local agile frogs. Conservation colleagues working with other endangered species may believe that, for example, establishing normal blood values in order to investigate a possible disease issue would benefit that species’ conservation. In such a case we would work with them and the States’ Veterinary Officer to determine the merit in undertaking any proposed investigations before any sampling is carried out."