News about Wild animals

Myggetal.dk relaunched with a new design and updated vector-surveillance data

The University of Copenhagen’s Vector Group has relaunched Myggetal.dk, the public platform presenting results from the Danish surveillance of mosquitoes, biting midges and ticks. The redesigned website makes it easier…

Narwhals help researchers uncover unique data from the deepest East Greenland fjords

For the first time, researchers have used data from narwhals to document how Atlantic water reaches deep into fjords along Greenland’s east coast.

Inaugural lecture of Professor Carsten Kirkeby

On 14 August 2026, Carsten Kirkeby gave his inaugural lecture for his professorship in ecological disease modelling. Afterwards, a reception was held in the garden of the veterinary school, where colleagues from near an…

Annual bird trip to Fyn and Sprogø

In late May 2026, the annual Avian Influenza Epidemiology Group bird trip went to the island of Fyn (Funen) to learn about and experience pheasant rearing in Denmark.

Research visit at University of Sydney

Carsten Kirkeby visited the Disease Ecology Lab at the University of Sydney for two weeks in April-May 2026, where Sandra Carapeto is currently on an external research stay. During the visit, a meeting with the…

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…