Investigation of the immunogenetic and infection status of scimitar-horned oryx and livestock in Tunisia
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: The Roslin Institute
Abstract
Disease transmission across the wildlife-livestock interface is recognised as a serious issue in livestock health and food security, as well as wildlife conservation management. Traditionally only considered a threat to farming (UK bovine TB transmission via badgers; African FMD transmission through buffalo), the potential for two-way transmission between livestock and wildlife populations also poses risks to highly threatened species. This project will investigate the infection and immunogenetic status of a semi-wild meta-population of scimitar-horned oryx (SHO), a charismatic north-African antelope considered extinct in the wild for nearly forty years. Multiple small SHO populations established in Tunisia over the past twenty years within fenced landscape-scale enclosures are currently being considered for trial release and will come into contact with local livestock. There is the need and opportunity to conduct research into the immunogenetic diversity and disease status of both SHO and livestock populations in Tunisia to inform the risk assessments, and subsequently investigate the outcomes of controlled trial releases.
People |
ORCID iD |
Rob Ogden (Primary Supervisor) |
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M010996/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
2279108 | Studentship | BB/M010996/1 | 15/09/2019 | 31/03/2024 |
Description | Increased interest in and awareness off the risks of disease transmission at the wildlife-livestock interface, particularly in antelope reintroduction programmes. This has led to Sahara Conservation, a partner organisation that works in the Sahelo-Sahara region, listing the use of One Health approaches as part of their strategic plan to enhance survival of endangered species in reintroduction programmes, inform vaccination programmes for people and livestock, and to benefit remote communities, including pastoralists. This led to Sahara Conservation organising a webinar on One Health Approaches, at which I presented my project. The project fieldwork has also led to collaboration between government agencies in Chad including the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, the National Veterinary Authorities and the Livestock Research Institute, working together, alongside NGOs and academic partners, to define and investigate One Health challenges at the wildlife-livestock interface. Whilst collecting research data in Chad, we provided veterinary care to livestock presented by remote communities and were able to build interest in and awareness of, infection risks and disease management. |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | EcoHealthNet studentship |
Amount | $5,000 (USD) |
Organisation | Ecohealth Alliance |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 11/2021 |
End | 10/2022 |
Description | Soulsby One Health Fellowship |
Amount | £7,641 (GBP) |
Organisation | Soulsby Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2021 |
End | 06/2023 |
Description | Conservation Genetics Conference 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented a poster on my research project |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Edinburgh Infectious Diseases Symposium |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Gave a flash talk on my research project at the EID annual symposium to ca. 150 people mainly other researchers at Edinburgh University across a range of departments and disciplines |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Grassmarket Science Chats |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Gave a brief talk on my research to members of a local organisation that supports homeless and other disadvantaged people. This then opened into a general conversation and Q&A session on some of the themes of my research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Infection risks in antelope reintroductions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented my research project at the Sahelo-Sahara Interest Group annual meeting to an audience of about 180 people including researches, funders, health practitioners and representatives of government bodies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGOXlOjGuJo |
Description | One Health Approaches Webinar talk for Sahara Conservation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Approximately 60 members of the Sahelo-Sahara Interest Group and their contacts with an interest in One Health and conservation issues attended a webinar on One Health Approaches in Conservation Reintroductions |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPlhkzev85k |
Description | One Health Early Career Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presented two posters on my research at a One Health workshop aimed at early career researchers |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Poster presentation at postgraduate research open day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Presented a poster and flash talk on my research to my department. Awarded the runner up prize for best poster in my year group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Presentation at Sahelo-Sahara Interest Group Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Gave a talk on my project at the annual Sahelo-Saharan Interest Group meeting to about 150 people |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfJhbc6dows |
Description | Sandscript |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Wrote an article on my project for Sandscript, a biannual publication of Sahara Conservation, an NGO with whom I collaborate. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://saharaconservation.org/key-publication/ |