Conference Agenda

Opportunistic sampling provides a valuable avenue for understanding the health and disease status of wildlife that are otherwise difficult to study. We report findings from a necropsy conducted on a road-killed Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) collected in the Fitz-Stirling region of Western Australia during a broader dietary ecology project. Although the original study did not target disease, the carcass presented a rare opportunity to conduct to investigate both ectoparasite and endoparasite communities in this cryptic and nationally vulnerable species. Few parasitological studies have been conducted on this vulnerable species and those that exist are dated. With increasing human encroachment into wildlife habitats and the spread of invasive species, understanding parasite loads and associated risks is becoming increasingly important. This is particularly relevant for Malleefowl, whose ground dwelling and mound building behaviours may increase exposure to soil dwelling parasites, and whose declining populations mean biological samples are rarely available. As many native species face pressure from habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, and emerging diseases, integrating opportunistic necropsies into ecological and conservation programs can substantially enhance surveillance capacity. This case study underscores the importance of maximising information gained from unexpected wildlife encounters, including road‑kill specimens, to better inform management and conservation strategies.