Vets and conservationists are working tirelessly to develop a bespoke vaccine after a bacterial infection claimed the lives of 10 rare bats at Jersey Zoo.
Earlier this year, Durrell’s Livingstone’s fruit bat colony – the largest in Europe – was hit by an outbreak of pasteurella.
The bacterium impacts animals including cats, dogs, livestock and birds.
Zoo staff acted quickly to contain the infection, moving around 80 bats out of their shared enclosure and into individual quarantine, and beginning a course of antibiotic treatment.
At the same time, efforts were underway to develop a vaccine.
Matt Goetz, Durrell’s interim zoological director explained: “Having had that outbreak… we decided that we can prevent this from happening ever again/”
What is pasteurella?
Pasteurella is a bacterium that can live in the respiratory tracts of many animals.
In most cases, it does not cause illness, but under certain conditions – particularly in close quarters – it can spread and result in infections, respiratory issues, and death.
“We identified a bacterium called Pasteurella that causes the disease,” said Mr Goetz.
“We confirmed that in-house and with external laboratories.”
Durrell staff explained the infection likely spread quickly due to the highly social nature of bats and the close-knit environment of the bat tunnel.
Once identified, the decision was made to work with Ridgeway Biologicals, a specialist laboratory in Berkshire that develops veterinary vaccines based on samples provided by zoo and farm veterinary teams.
How is the vaccine being made?
The process of developing the vaccine is bespoke to the species of animal and the strain of the bacteria.
Vaccines are sent to the lab, where the strains are used to build an autogenous vaccine that can be administered to the same animals who provided the samples in the first place.
Durrell expects the process to take around 14 weeks in total and the finished vaccine to be delivered by the end of July.
“The samples have been sent to the lab and a vaccine is on the way,” Mr Goetz confirmed.
How will it be used?
Once the vaccine is ready, each bat will receive the treatment via injection. Staff already administer daily medication as part of the bats’ recovery programme and are preparing for the next phase.
Mr Goetz said: “The vaccine should also cover similar strains of the bacteria and even if a new strain comes along in a decade, it would be very unusual indeed for it to have evolved to override the vaccine.”
Durrell’s Livingstone’s fruit bats are among the rarest mammals in the world – with just 1,000 estimated to be left in the wild.
The Jersey-based colony represents three-quarters of the captive global population.
Can other zoos use it?
Yes – and that’s part of the long-term plan.
Durrell has shared bats with other institutions across Europe, including Bristol and Zurich Zoos.
Once the vaccine is available, it can also be shared with those colonies, helping to protect the species beyond Jersey.
“So if the vaccine is available and works for us, then of course we will let everybody else know and then they can also apply it,” said Mr Goetz.
“For us as a conservation organisation and working together with other zoos… it is obvious that we not just share animals and knowledge of husbandry and breeding, but also any tools that make that easier or more effective and better for the bats.”
Why was it needed?
Although it was caught early, the outbreak had a devastating impact – and prompted a full review of procedures.
“We had, sadly, some deaths in the early stages,” Mr Goetz said. “We lost ten bats to the disease.
“It’s extremely tough on the keepers. They know every bat individually. So seeing them not being well is incredibly difficult for everybody.”
The entire colony was moved into four isolated spaces within a single day – an unprecedented effort for Durrell.
“We had to move 80 bats within one day, Mr Goetz said.
“This was an extremely taxing thing.
“I couldn’t be more happy with the situation and how it eventually turned out, or any more proud of the team who pulled that together.”
What next?
The bat tunnel remains closed while the vaccine is developed and the team continue their intensive care of the bats.
The closure has also given staff the opportunity to make long-term updates to the tunnel, which was first built in 2010 and doubled in size in 2017.
A date is yet to be set, but Mr Goetz says the bats’ welfare is Durrell’s “priority”.