Background/Objectives: Toxoplasma gondii is a major cause of zoonotic infections in both humans and animals, resulting in significant mortality in susceptible species, such as New World primates and marsupials. Toxoplasmosis is particularly concerning in zoos and wildlife reserves, where outbreaks threaten conservation efforts for endangered species. In the absence of a commercially available vaccine against toxoplasmosis for humans and captive wild animals, current prevention strategies are limited to restricting the access of cats to enclosures, controlling rodent populations, and maintaining strict food hygiene. Recent research has shown promising results with an intranasal vaccine (VXN-Toxo) composed of maltodextrin nanoparticles conjugated with a purified, inactivated T. gondii parasite. This experimental vaccine does not pose a risk of causing disease and offers advantages such as better stability compared with live pathogen-based vaccines. Methods: This study presents a large-scale evaluation of the effect of VXN-Toxo administered to captive wildlife across 20 zoos in Europe and the Americas between 2017 and 2025. Seven hundred and eighty-four animals, representing over 58 species (including primates, marsupials, rodents, and felids), were vaccinated without any adverse events reported. Results: Retrospective mortality data from 20 participating zoological institutions revealed an overall 96.7% reduction—and, in many cases, a complete elimination—of toxoplasmosis-associated deaths post vaccination. Conclusions: These results demonstrate, for the first time, consistent and broad-spectrum protection against T. gondii of different strains in a wide array of captive wildlife species. This universal vaccine represents a promising tool for toxoplasmosis prevention in zoological collections, with significant implications for animal health and conservation strategies.

The genus Erinaceus is commonly found in rescue centres across the European continent despite the reported decline in some countries. Parasite infections are frequently detected in rescued hedgehogs, leading to increased morbidity and mortality and consequently conditioning their recovery. Some of the most frequent parasites include respiratory nematodes, such as Crenosoma striatum and Capillaria spp., which may lead to important pneumonia. Moreover, some of these agents have zoonotic potential, such as Cryptosporidium spp., Sarcoptes spp., and several species of ticks and fleas, which may transmit different vector-borne pathogens. This review provides a brief guide on hedgehogs’ internal and external parasitology, as well as some suggestions for diagnosis and treatment that are relevant for wildlife veterinarians, biologists and other researchers.

Avian pox is a globally spread viral disease affecting a wide spectrum of wild and domesticated bird species. The disease is caused by a diverse group of large DNA viruses, namely, avipoxviruses (genus Avipoxvirus, family Poxviridae). In this study, gross pathological examination and histopathological examination of skin lesions and several organs suggested acute poxvirus infection of a Eurasian crane (Grus grus, Linnaeus, 1758). Avipoxvirus infection was confirmed by testing wart-like lesions via gene-specific PCR assay and sequencing the obtained amplicon. Phylogenetic analysis of the gene encoding the DNA polymerase revealed that the crane poxvirus clustered in clade A, subclade A3. A large fragment of the poxvirus genome (306,477 bp in length) was assembled from the DNA of a skin specimen. Our study reaffirms previous findings that even complex virus genomes can be determined from a metagenomic assemblage generated directly from avian tissue samples without prior virus isolation, a promising approach for the epidemiologic surveillance of avipoxvirus infections in wild birds and domestic poultry.

The establishment of a well-adapted and accurate feeding regimen is a fundamental determining factor in the maintenance of shark species in captivity. Replicating the natural diet in captivity is commonly accepted and recommended. Given the diverse nutritional composition of prey, supplementation may become necessary. The captive environment poses unique challenges, making sharks susceptible to an array of health issues, including numerous diseases. Mitigating these risks demands detailed husbandry practices, an appropriate physical environment and a balanced diet. Supplementation, encompassing vitamins and minerals, becomes imperative for the provision of essential nutrients. This complexity has rendered the formulation of an adapted feeding plan for aquarists exceptionally challenging. The scarcity of information in these species adds to the issue, mandating extrapolation from various shark groups and to species with analogous characteristics. This literature review concentrates predominantly on benthic and pelagic shark species prevalent in contemporary aquariums. The central argument posits that dietary choices in captivity rely on factors such as availability, quality and consistency of supply. The advocated approach highlights the importance of a balanced, diverse feeding that closely mirrors natural diets. It is then crucial to emphasize that these are general guidelines, and the specific dietary requisites may diverge between shark species. Collaborating with experts in marine biology, shark husbandry and veterinary care is imperative for the formulation and perpetuation of an adapted diet for captive sharks.