Relocating Threatened Animals May Accidentally Spread Pathogens

A previous report from Science Times showcased how rhinos are being transported upside down to a new location where they will live and be given greater protection than their old home. Rhinos are one of the identified endangered species and flying upside down via a helicopter a new location is an option to efforts of animal conservation.

Scientists said that moving endangered species could help in restoring degraded ecosystems. However, it also creates concerns about the possible high risk of accidentally spreading pathogens between animal populations.

The report published by scientists from the University of Cambridge, entitled "Don't move a mussel? Parasite and disease risk in conservation action" published in the journal Conservation Letters, focuses on the conservation of freshwater mussels that researchers have studied extensively.

Freshwater Mussels Relocation

Undoubtedly, mussels play a significant role in maintaining the water's cleanliness, such as in rivers and lakes. However, they are also one of the most threatened animals on the planet and there is a growing interest in relocating them to boost threatened populations and can be used as biological filters to improve the quality of water in the area.

According to Science Daily, scientists have identified Rhipidocotyle campanula, a gonad-eating parasitic worm, could leave mussels completely sterile and pose huge risks for captive breeding programs where isolated mussel populations are brought up.

Senior study author Dr. David Aldridge in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge said that conservationists should be more careful about relocating endangered species because its costs might outweigh the benefits.

Furthermore, he pointed out that mixing different populations of mussels in one location could allow for widespread transmission of R. campanula, which could infect mussels and spread throughout the mussel populations, leading to the collapse of an entire population.

ALSO READ: Experts Say Flying Rhinos Upside Down is Vital for Their Conservation

Pathogens Being Transferred During Relocation of Endangered Animals

Diseases and parasites could easily be transferred when mussels are moved and the report recommends that species should only be relocated when necessary quarantine periods are being carried and used.

The National News said that the scientists' report identifies four key factors in determining the risk of pathogens spreading when relocating endangered animals, namely: "proportion of infected animals in both source and recipient populations; density of the resulting population; host immunity; and the life-cycle of the pathogen."

First author and a Ph.D. student in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, Josh Brian, said that relocating animals used to protect or supplement endangered animal populations but conservation efforts should also consider the risk of the potential spread of pathogens that science has not fully understood yet, putting animal populations at greater risks.

Different animal populations do not respond similarly to infection with the same pathogen due to the adaptations in their immune system.

For instance, when a pack of wolves transferred to Yellowstone National Park they all died because they do not have the immunity to parasites in the area that local wolves have.

The team also noted that even stocking rivers with fish for anglers ad putting exotic plants in gardens could aid in spreading diseases and parasites. Therefore, people should be aware of the risks of unknowingly spreading diseases between animal populations to avoid unintentional harm to the efforts of species conservation, says Isobel Ollard, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Zoology at the university.