News about Wild animals

Elephant genomes reveal a past of continental connectivity and a future of increasing isolation

In the largest genomic mapping of Africa's elephants, an international team of researchers shows that elephant history is defined by the ability to move across large distances and exchange genes throughout the African…

Bird Flu Risk to Danish Cattle – New Tool Can Warn Farmers Before Infection Spreads

Bird flu can infect both cows and humans. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have developed a tool that can predict where and when the risk of infection is highest.

Past intensive whaling threatens the future of bowhead whales

Commercial whaling has left the bowhead whale vulnerable for many generations to come.

Double degree PhD student Ludovica Preite

Ludovica Preite has started as a new PhD student at the University of Sydney and University of Copenhagen, in a double PhD degree position.

The world’s oldest RNA extracted from woolly mammoth

New research offers a unique insight into the lives of mammoths during the last Ice Age.

The world’s oldest RNA extracted from woolly mammoth

New research offers a unique insight into the lives of mammoths during the last Ice Age.

Wild animals divide Danes – but most say “yes” to red deer and fences

A new nationwide survey from the University of Copenhagen shows that most Danes would like to see more large animals in the forests. Danes prefer forests with wild animals such as red deer and bison to traditional natur…

Scientists shed new light on mysterious deaths among African elephants

Scientists from Statens Serum Institut and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark have investigated the bacteria that killed 35 elephants in Zimbabwe in 2020.

Nordfugl October 2025

The Avian Influenza Epidemiology group hosted the annual Nordfugl online seminar on 1 October 2025.

Preserving predation

New journal article out July 2025: 'Preserving predation' by Jordan O Hampton, Thomas M Newsome Amy Dickman and Peter Sandøe.

Annual bird trip to South Zealand

In late April 2025, the Avian Influenza Epidemiology Group went on a trip to South Zealand to improve our understanding of the real world.

The avian influenza epidemiology group at the ISVEE17 conference in Sydney

On 11 to 15 November 2024, Helene Ane Jensen, Yangfan Liu, Lene Jung Kjær and Carsten Kirkeby attended the 17th International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, ISVEE17, in Sydney, Australia.

Avian Influenza Epidemiology group at UCPH hosted an online seminar, “Nordfugl 2024”

On 4 October 2024, the Avian Influenza Epidemiology group at UCPH hosted an online seminar, “Nordfugl 2024”, with the aim of exchanging information on research and surveillance of avian influenza between the Nordic…

The elephant in the room

Presentation at the WAWC conference 2024 by Peter Sandøe and Clare Palmer (University of Copenhagen, Denmark and Texas A & M University, USA)

Spotted apex predator being pressured by spotted pack hunters – and it's our fault

Leopards, who are already in decline, can’t keep up with hyenas when people are around. As we humans move into the their territories more and more, we are helping to disturb and unbalance ecosystems. This has been shown…

Visit to ANSES, Ploufragan

During the week of June 17-21, 2024, Carsten Kirkeby visited Mathieu Andraud and colleagues at ANSES, Ploufragan

Annual AIV field trip went to Amager Fælled

In May 2024, the AIV epidemiology group went to Amager Fælled.

A new family tree revises our understanding of bird evolution

A team of researchers from the Bird 10,000 Genomes (B10K) consortium has reported a new bird family tree that promises to reshape our understanding of avian evolution. Published in Nature on April 1st, 2024, the study…

Mediterranean marine worm has developed eyes “as big as millstones"

Scientists are amazed at the discovery of a bristle worm with such sharp-seeing eyes that they can measure up to those of mammals and octopuses. The researchers from University of Copenhagen and Lund University suspect…

PhD-student wins poster price at the SVEPM 2024 Conference

At the annual European conference in Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, SVEPM, PhD-student Helene Ane Jensen won the poster price.

Avian Influenza Group participated in the SVEPM 2024 Conference

The avian influenza epidemiology research influenza group participated in the annual SVEPM conference in 2024 with 5 contributions. Yangfan Liu showcased her work on a mathematical model for the spread of avian influenz…

Gene flow in giraffes and what it means for their conservation

Giraffes, with their bizarre body plan, have always held a special place in the minds of evolutionary biologists and non-experts alike. In a new study, led by a team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen,…

Ethicists’ commentary on current considerations when advising on destroying honeybee colonies

Ethical question of the month, October 2023 You are a veterinarian who advises on the care of honeybees. You have a client with a colony that is suspected to be infected with American foulbrood, a reportable disease in…

The genomic secrets to how the muskox mastered living on the edge

At the end of the last Ice Age, many iconic species became extinct - including the steppe bison, the woolly rhinoceros, the Irish elk, and the dire wolf. However, one Ice Age relict, perfectly adapted to the harsh…