HELP HAZEL

Hazel Jackson is carrying out a research project on British parakeets:

The UK's wild Ring-necked Parakeets provide an excellent opportunity to study how invasive populations experience rapid population growth from a small number of individuals without experiencing any genetic side-effects — such as inbreeding depression, reduced survival rates and decreased disease resistance. Many island populations, such as the Mauritius Echo Parakeet, are unable to do this and require intensive conservation management to save the populations from extinction. I am investigating the genetic origin and makeup of Ring-necked Parakeets in the UK, to see what lessons can be learnt from the species to inform future conservation efforts. It's also important to understand any detrimental impacts parakeets may have, such as possible diseases, again with a view to mitigation.

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