Emerging fungal diseases pose a threat to reptiles globally. Increasing detections of onygenalean fungi, particularly Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, Nannizziopsis spp. and Paranannizziopsis spp. in clinically diseased free‐ranging reptiles, indicate likely ongoing spread within wild reptile populations. These fungal pathogens have not previously been reported in free‐ranging Australian reptiles, except for N. barbatae in select lizard species. We present 10 cases of onygenalean dermatomycoses in five free‐ranging native Australian squamate species that presented to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital between 2023 and 2024. Coastal carpet pythons ( Morelia spilota mcdowelli ) represented five of the cases, with O. ophidiicola, N. barbatae and P. australasiensis detected in this snake species. In addition, we confirmed O. ophidiicola in an eastern bandy‐bandy ( Vermicella annulata ) and white‐crowned snake ( Cacophis harriettae ), Nannizziopsis barbatae in an eastern water dragon ( Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii ), and Paranannizziopsis spp. in two eastern bearded dragons ( Pogona barbata ). Clinical presentations ranged from mild to severe dermatitis, with secondary outcomes of dysecdysis, stomatitis, emaciation and moribundity. Diagnoses were confirmed using a combination of histopathology, PCR, DNA sequencing and/or culture and barcoding. Our study reports the first known cases of Ophidiomyces ophidiicola and Paranannizziopsis in free‐ranging Australian reptiles, and the first case of N. barbatae in a snake species globally. These cases represent an expansion of the known host and geographic range of onygenalean fungi into free‐ranging Australian reptiles. Importantly, these fungi were associated with debilitating disease that could threaten native reptile populations if not promptly addressed.

The rehabilitation and release of injured wildlife is a common strategy employed in conservation efforts worldwide. Determining the post‐release survival and factors associated with success in rehabilitation programs is critical in assessing the effectiveness of programs and informing decision‐making throughout the rehabilitation process. To evaluate the success of the black cockatoo conservation program at Murdoch University, we analyzed hospital and rehabilitation records of 118 wild birds across 15 release events between 2015 and 2018 of the 3 threatened black cockatoo species endemic to southwest Western Australia: Carnaby's cockatoo ( Zanda latirostris ), Baudin's cockatoo ( Zanda baudinii ), and the forest red‐tailed black cockatoo ( Calyptorhynchus banksii naso ). We examined variables associated with the demographics, health, rehabilitation, and release of these birds and their associations with post‐release success. Using the results of post‐release tracking studies, we report the observed success rates in birds for which fate was known ( n = 68). Fifty‐four (79.4%) birds met our criterion for post‐release success: survival ≥4 weeks post‐release and reintegration into a wild flock. Given the limited number ( n = 14) of failure events during the study relative to the number of candidate predictors, we examined each variable individually for association with success, rather than fitting a single adjusted model. Larger resident wild flock size at the release site was associated with greater odds of successful release (OR = 5.58, 95% CI = 1.91–22.7, P = 0.005), an association that remained after accounting for clustering of birds released together (mixed‐effects logistic regression: OR = 5.55, P = 0.024). The results from this study highlight the success of this threatened species rehabilitation program and identify resident flock size as a candidate factor warranting further investigation to inform future release‐site selection.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a well-studied condition characterized by increased insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction and amyloid deposition in the pancreatic islets. The condition is best understood in humans and veterinary species such as the domestic cat but is poorly described in zoo animals. A 16-year-old male binturong (Arctictis binturong) at Mandai Wildlife Reserve presenting initially for a left forelimb tremor was noted to have hyperglycemia (23.86 mmol/L; RI 2.93–18.94), with concurrent glucosuria, which persisted over 2 weeks. The animal was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus based on serial biochemical and urinalysis results and ultrasonography. No pharmaceutical treatment was instituted. Over 4 years the animal developed other age-related changes and was euthanized based on a declining quality of life. Postmortem investigation including histological examination found diffuse islet amyloidosis of the pancreas, consistent with T2D as seen in other species. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first published case report of type 2 diabetes mellitus and pancreatic amyloidosis reported in the binturong. The popularity of the species in zoological institutions and long-term implications of the disease warrant further attention. Further research may be directed toward establishing diagnostic values in binturongs, as well as options for medical management.