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- Title
Toxoplasmosis epidemic in a population of urbanised allied rock‐wallabies (Petrogale assimilis) on Magnetic Island (Yunbenun), North Queensland.
- Authors
Bowater, RO; Gummow, B; Mackie, T; Thompson, AR; Hayes, DA; Goudkamp, K; Taylor, JD
- Abstract
A mortality event involving 23 allied rock‐wallabies (Petrogale assimilis) displaying neurological signs and sudden death occurred in late April to May 2021 in a suburban residential area directly adjacent to Magnetic Island National Park, on Magnetic Island (Yunbenun), North Queensland, Australia. Three allied rock‐wallabies were submitted for necropsy, and in all three cases, the cause of death was disseminated toxoplasmosis. This mortality event was unusual because only a small, localised population of native wallabies inhabiting a periurban area on a tropical island in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area were affected. A disease investigation determined the outbreak was likely linked to the presence of free‐ranging feral and domesticated cats inhabiting the area. There were no significant deaths of other wallabies or wildlife in the same or other parts of Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) at the time of the outbreak. This is the first reported case of toxoplasmosis in allied rock‐wallabies (Petrogale assimilis), and this investigation highlights the importance of protecting native wildlife species from an infectious and potentially fatal parasitic disease.
- Subjects
QUEENSLAND; GREAT Barrier Reef; TOXOPLASMOSIS; WORLD Heritage Sites; BARRIER islands; PARASITIC diseases; FERAL cats
- Publication
Australian Veterinary Journal, 2024, Vol 102, Issue 5, p256
- ISSN
0005-0423
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/avj.13319