Prof. John Hancock, Dr. Tim Craig and Ros Rouse discuss the impact that the pandemic has had on animals around the world
While the COVID pandemic has had a devastating impact on humanity across the globe, less consideration was given to its impact on animal populations. Prof. John Hancock (Professor of Cell Signalling), and Dr. Tim Craig (Associate Professor of Neuroscience), members of the Centre for Research in Biosciences and Ros Rouse, Research Governance Manager at UWE and wildlife artist have come together to discuss this important theme in their new book “Animal welfare in a pandemic: What does COVID-19 tell us about the future?“, published in April 2024 by CRC Press.
The book gathers together multiple aspects of COVID on animal welfare. It sets out which animals were infected by the virus. It draws upon the authors’ particular expertise in establishing whether molecular biology can be used as an approach to predicting species susceptibility to the virus. It also examines the relevance of vaccination as it pertains to animals. The book goes on to discuss the challenges encountered by zoos and animal conservationists during this period and finishes with a consideration of what can be learned and how we can respond more effectively to future pandemics.
The book is based on original research that Hancock, Rouse, and later Craig undertook together during the pandemic, as well as a review of the scientific literature. Rouse also brought her unique talents to the book, which includes several works of art and photographs by her, including the front cover. The book is a part of the CRC One Health One Welfare series which ‘recognises the interconnections between human wellbeing, animal health and welfare, and the environment’. The three authors are already planning further projects in this space.