The newly evolved coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2, which has precipitated a global COVID‐19 pandemic among the human population, has been shown to be associated with disease in captive wild animals. Bats (Chiroptera) have been shown to be susceptible to experimental infection and therefore may be at risk from disease when in contact with infected people. Numerous conservation fieldwork activities are undertaken across the United Kingdom bringing potentially infected people into close proximity with bats. In this study, we analysed the risks of disease from SARS‐CoV‐2 to free‐living bat species in England through fieldworkers undertaking conservation activities and ecological survey work, using a qualitative, transparent method devised for assessing threats of disease to free‐living wild animals. The probability of exposure of bats to SARS‐CoV‐2 through fieldwork activities was estimated to range from negligible to high, depending on the proximity between bats and people during the activity. The likelihood of infection after exposure was estimated to be high and the probability of dissemination of the virus through bat populations medium. The likelihood of clinical disease occurring in infected bats was low, and therefore, the ecological, economic and environmental consequences were predicted to be low. The overall risk estimation was low, and therefore, mitigation measures are advisable. There is uncertainty in the pathogenicity of SARS‐CoV‐2 in bats and therefore in the risk estimation. Disease risk management measures are suggested, including the use of personal protective equipment, good hand hygiene and following the existing government advice. The disease risk analysis should be updated as information on the epidemiology of SARS‐CoV‐2 and related viruses in bats improves. The re‐analysis may be informed by health surveillance of free‐living bats.

Background Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV)‐associated haemorrhagic disease (EEHV‐HD) is a leading cause of death in Asian elephant calves across the world. Cases of EEHV‐HD have been detected in free‐living calves through post‐mortem examination (PME) indicating the presence of the virus in the wild. In the absence of a non‐invasive sampling method, little research into free‐living populations has been possible. This study aimed to provide evidence that faeces can be used as a non‐invasive sampling method for the detection of EEHV excretion using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Methods Serial saliva swabs and faecal samples were taken from five captive Asian elephants in Thailand over 12 weeks. To ensure the presence of detectable elephant DNA within the sample, qPCR was run for amplification of the Asian elephant tumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α) gene, EEHV1 and EEHV4. Results Of 28 sample pairs, seven saliva samples were positive for EEHV, of which two had paired positive faecal samples. Conclusions This study presents the first evidence that EEHV is excreted in faeces at detectable levels. This method may in future be used for improved understanding of the epidemiology of EEHV in free‐living elephant populations, as well as detection of EEHV excretion in captive herds.

The red kite (Milvus milvus) was successfully re‐introduced into England in 1989, although the population continues to face anthropogenic threats. In this report, we describe evidence of plastic ingested in the ventriculus of an adult male red kite that was emaciated. In addition, dried blood was found on the feathers overlying both wings, and subcutaneous haemorrhage was identified. Toxicology tests revealed toxic levels (>100 ng/g) of second‐generation anticoagulant rodenticides (difenacoum 3.0 ng/g, brodifacoum 734.9 ng/g) in the liver of this red kite. Three possible contributors to mortality were considered: starvation from the ingestion of plastic preventing normal digestion, collision‐related trauma and second‐generation anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning. This is the first report of plastic ingestion in a red kite. The case highlights the importance of carrying out postmortem examinations as part of post‐release health surveillance and identifies plastic ingestion as a potential anthropogenic threat facing the red kite population in England.