Thesis

Each year more than 50 dugong deaths are reported for urban Queensland, the causes of up to 90% of which remain undiagnosed. Post mortem examination alone is not sufficient for detecting animals with less severe or subclinical disease i.e., monitoring of population health. Increasingly it is becoming apparent that detailed health assessment is a critical tool for conservation management of wild sirenians and their habitats. This study aims to establish initial reference intervals for standard haematological, serum biochemical and urine parameters, including indicators for inflammatory disease, for dugongs. It will also develop and validate testing protocols including serology and faecal analysis for pathogens with zoonotic potential of risk to indigenous populations harvesting dugongs.