In 1989, the Nature Conservancy Council and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds commenced reintroduction of the red kite ( Milvus milvus ) according to International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria. Following 22 years of intensive effort, the red kite reintroduction programme has been a success with an estimated 1000 pairs now breeding in England. Post‐release health surveillance is ongoing and has been achieved through radio‐tracking, monitoring breeding at nest sites and pathological examinations of any red kites found dead. Tail‐mounted radio transmitters were fitted from 1989 with harness‐mounted radio transmitters being preferentially used since 2000. Since 2000, 180 individuals have been recovered for postmortem examination. Eighteen of these birds had previously had a harness‐mounted radio transmitter fitted and four of these (22 per cent) had moderate to severe lesions associated with the presence of the harness and radio transmitter including chronic necrogranulomatous inflammation, deep muscular exposure and distorted muscular conformation. Failure to breed was also reported in two of these individuals over the preceding year(s), although it is not known whether the presence of the harness contributed to this failure. Duration of deployment may have been a significant factor in the formation of these lesions as those with lesions (n=4) had a statistically significant (P=0.009) longer duration of deployment compared to those without lesions (n=14). No lesions were reported in those red kites fitted with tail‐transmitters.

Hematology and serum biochemistry blood values are tabulated for Australia's most critically endangered mammal, the Gilbert's potoroo (Potorous gilbertii). Significant differences were found between origin (captive or wild individuals) and age (subadult or adult) of animals. Sex, and presence or absence of Treponema infection, had minimal significance on blood values. Typical cell morphology is discussed, and hemoparasite examination identified Theileria spp. and Breinlia spp. Eighty samples were collected from a population of only 35 individuals, reflective of a population census rather than of a study reliant on statistical extrapolation. These reference ranges and findings will assist in the ongoing health management of this critically endangered species. hematology, biochemistry, marsupial, Gilbert's potoroo, Potorous gilbertii.

Two cases of fatal cryptococcosis are described, one of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in a Gilbert's potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) and one of Cryptococcus gattii infection in a long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus). The diagnoses were confirmed by culture and specific immunohistochemistry, respectively. The long-nosed potoroo tested positive using the latex cryptococcal antigen test (LCAT), whereas the Gilbert's potoroo had a negative LCAT result despite having advanced disease of some duration. In both cases, the clinical presentation was a progressive neurologic disease associated with a central nervous system infection. Pulmonary infection was also observed in the long-nosed potoroo. Specific treatment with antifungal agents was unsuccessful in the long-nosed potoroo.