The wildlife public seminar and workshop organized by the Windsor Research Centre was held at the Hope Zoo on May 28 and 29, 2014 respectively. Sponsored by the US-based MacArthur Foundation, the events were well attended by veterinarians, environmental personnel and wildlife enthusiasts and provided a wealth of information for a maximum of 6.5 Continuing Veterinary Medical Education credits for the veterinarians in attendance.
Dr. Darrel Styles, a Senior Staff Veterinarian from the USDA who is an expert in avian infectious and metabolic diseases, conservation and management, covered the important infectious diseases of Psittacines with particular emphasis on how disease can be spread during the course of conservation efforts.
Dr. Jim Wellehan, an Assistant Professor from the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine who is specialist in Zoological Medicine and Microbiology, presented on the evolutionary ecology of reptiles and the diseases affecting them.
Dr. Nancy Lung, Director of Veterinary Services at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas, who travels to Jamaica annually to carry out health screening for the Jamaican iguana rehabilitation programme known as "Head Start", gave a presentation on that programme, covering it's history, procedures and current status.
Dr. Susan Koenig, Director of Research at the Windsor Research Centre in Trelawny, who has studied Jamaica's wildlife including birds, reptiles, bats and crabs, presented three topics - an example of how disease can affect conservation efforts (Thick-billed Parrot re-introduction in Arizona), the genetics of the Jamaican Boa Constrictor and our parrots, and guidelines for the placement of confiscated animals.
Mr. Brent Newman, who has just successfully completed his Masters degree in Range and Wildlife Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, presented the findings of the research for his thesis - Jamaican Boa translocations, which was conducted at the Windsor Research Centre during a 10-month stay in Jamaica.
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