#naturereserve
Pandas and parasites
Giant pandas, the international symbol of conservation, are one of the most loved species in the world.
A group of parasitic round worms are one of the main causes of mortality of giant pandas in the wild, and collectively infect more than 50 animal species worldwide.
Infection can damage the intestines and if the infection reaches the brain and eyes: will often result in death.
Dr Russ Morphew at Aberystwyth University, along with researchers at IBERS and Mr Iain Valentine RZSS Edinburgh Zoo look to identify how this deadly parasite responds to anti-parasitic drugs. More specifically, whether drug resistance is the cause of repeat infections in captive giant panda populations.
They hope that their findings will not only help to inform conservation strategies in captivity and across China’s giant panda reserves, but also that they could lead to improved control strategies to deal with infection in the future.
Image credits: Top and bottom images: Zhou Mengqi
Middle images: Baylisascaris eggs, Steve Gschmeisnner
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A family of howler monkeys visited the Apoyo Lodge property near the height of the dry season in March. They came to feast on new buds and blooms that our trees were producing and they were attracted to our fresh water and gardens.
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Sunday 25th February 2018: I desperately needed to end this week in a calm and peaceful way so the Rodley Nature Reserve seemed the obvious choice. It’s filled with lots of beautiful wildlife and with signs of Spring around the corner this reserve is somewhere we’ll now be visiting regularly to watch how it changes through the seasons. Talking to the Nature Reserve Warden he told us about the dragonfly ponds that will be starting to come to life towards the end of March….so that’s me having a little birthday treat then!…..I LOVE dragonflies!! And it was a lovely surprise when I walked up to an empty feeding station and a stunning long tailed tit flew in at the same time and started feeding right in front of me! Smiles all round :)
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