Earlier this month, the 18th Spanish Herpetological Congress took place in Barcelona, Spain. The congress served as an important meeting point for researchers dedicated to the study and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. Our WHG team member, Eduardo Fernández Meléndez, attended the event and presented his latest research. Eduardo presenting the results of his latest research. A congress offers a great opportunity to exchange knowledge, connect with colleagues, and share

Wildlife Health Ghent is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead a project that will conduct groundbreaking research on early host-pathogen interactions between amphibians and chytrid fungi. Fire salamander ( Salamandra salamandra ) You'll be part of world-leading research on chytrid fungi in amphibians, while also benefiting from the support and expertise of other researchers within the group. WHG is a highly collaborative research group, dedicated to high-impact scientifi

Conservation and wildlife health are at the heart of our team’s mission, work that inspires dedication and curiosity. For Lars, that commitment began with his master’s thesis and now continues as he joins the team full-time, bringing his enthusiasm to ongoing projects. Lars is an evolutionary biologist who first got a taste of WHG’s work during his master’s thesis. He focused on discovering genetic markers using differential gene expression analyses. It was there that he disc

In September 2025, a dead mute swan ( Cygnus olor ) was submitted for necropsy via the SOS Wilde Dieren wildlife rehabilitation center and the disease surveillance program of the Agency for Nature and Forests . The animal had been brought to the center in a weakened state and died shortly thereafter. An investigation into the cause of death was therefore warranted. Mute swan, Cygnus olor (© Leni lammens) Necropsy: severe emaciation and striking lesions It concerned an adul

Earlier this month in Bonn, Germany, the 23rd European Congress of Herpetology was held. This international meeting brought together researchers who study amphibians and reptiles. The attendees could exchange knowledge, present new findings, and share their passion for these remarkable animals. Among the many participants, our Wildlife Health Ghent (WHG) team was well represented! The WHG team at the 23rd European Congress of Herpetology in Bonn! A congress is a great opportu

Last week, Emma and Ruth had the opportunity to dip their toes (and then quickly jump all in!) into the world of proteomics at the Belgian Proteomics Association (BePA) Summer School , hosted at VIB. What started as a curiosity turned into an incredibly enriching and inspiring week. Here is their feedback: "In our work, we aim to use proteomics to investigate the proteins involved in the initial host-pathogen interaction . Before penetration and invasive growth in the host sk

In the spring of 2025, an adult roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) was found dead and submitted to Wildlife Health Ghent for examination through the disease surveillance program of the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB). The animal was severely emaciated and dehydrated, with a prominent growth (5 x 3 cm) on the right lower jaw. This mass had displaced several teeth and had caused visible bone damage ( osteolysis ), along with open ulcers and inflammation. No signs of cancer sp

Tawny owl (c) Unsplash In April 2025, a dead tawny owl ( Strix aluco ) was brought in for necropsy via the Nature Inspection of the Agency for Nature and Forests. The animal was found by cyclists along a roadside, with a striking posture: eyes wide open, tail feathers straight up and one claw tensely clenched. Initially, poisoning was suspected, a cause of death that unfortunately occurs frequently in birds of prey in the wild. However, during the necropsy it quickly became c

Reebok (c) Unsplash During spring and summer, roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) display pronounced territorial behavior. Fights between males are frequent and can lead to injuries. In some cases, these injuries cause serious complications, as shown by two cases reported via the wildlife disease surveillance program of the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB). CASE 1 In June 2024, a roe deer was brought in from the Geraardsbergen region. The animal showed abnormal behavior and

For a herpetologist, there is no better season than spring: not only are sunny days back, but amphibians are coming out to the ponds to mate. This means fieldwork can begin! This year, we are screening different sites to test for the presence of the pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans , and to collect DNA from great crested newts ( Triturus cristatus ) through a non-invasive swabbing method. We also weight the animals and measure their length, and we photograph their b