Click here to view the flyer for August 2024
Short Talk
Gary Young – Environmental DNA detection of a threatened ground-nesting bird.
Using environmental DNA to detect and monitor individual species or communities is a recent advancement in molecular diagnostics. Because it is non-invasive, there are significant benefits over conventional methods. It has enhanced sensitivity and is also cost-effective. However, it has not been widely used for comparison across different seasons or remote waterpoints of Australia. Gary will discuss the development of a species-specific DNA assay for the nationally threatened southern Squatter Pigeon (Geophaps scripta scripta).
Long Talk
Stephen Prowse – Bird flu – what does it mean for birds and people?
A strain of bird flu, known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza causes serious disease in birds, some animals, and occasionally humans. Over the last few years, it has been causing major outbreaks of disease around the world. A second strain has been causing significant disease problems in poultry in Asia and has also infected a child who returned to Australia from the region. Two further strains have been found in poultry in Australia, one of which causes severe disease. What is going on and what does this mean for us and our birds? Stephen will outline where these viruses come from; why they emerge and keep re-emerging; how they are transmitted and what are the consequences of infection in birds and humans. He will also speculate on wildlife, viruses and the future.
