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Biography

Martin Gilbert graduated from Glasgow University, Scotland in 1999 with a BSc honours degree in Zoology and a BVMS degree in veterinary medicine. He was sponsored by Birdlife International to assist in the rehabilitation of African penguins following the Treasure oil spill in Cape Town, South Africa and has worked in a wildlife hospital in Western Australia. Between 2000 and 2004 he worked for The Peregrine Fund, primarily focusing on the extensive declines of vultures in South Asia, coordinating the collection of field data in Pakistan as a means of establishing the cause of vulture mortality. This research confirmed that veterinary use of the veterinary pharmaceutical diclofenac is responsible for the vulture decline across South Asia, a discovery that has enabled the adoption of credible strategies to offset the crisis. During the course of his employment with The Peregrine Fund, Martin also participated in other raptor conservation projects with species including Madagascar Fish Eagles, New Guinea Harpy Eagles, Gyrfalcons, Peregrine Falcons, California Condors and New World Harpy Eagles in countries as diverse as Madagascar, Greenland, Papua New Guinea, the US and Panama. Since August 2004, Martin has been working as a Field Veterinarian with the Wildlife Conservation Society, and is based in Cambodia. He continues to work on vulture conservation in northern Cambodia while also researching emerging infectious disease, wildlife trade and avian influenza across the Southeast Asian region.

Wildlife Conservation Society

House 21, Street 21 (Tonle Bassac) P.O. Box 1620,

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phone: + 855 (0)23-217205 Fax: + 855 (0)23-696122

Email: mgilbert@wcs.org

Research Interests

Wildlife health, capture-mark-recapture, satellite telemetry.
Cetaceans.


Species of Interest:
Pallas's Fish Eagle Himalayan Vulture Oriental White-backed Vulture Long-billed Vulture Slender-billed Vulture Red-headed Vulture New Guinea Harpy Eagle

Publications

Gilbert, M., C. Sokha, P.H. Joyner, R.L. Thomson, and C. Poole. 2012. Characterizing the trade of wild birds for merit release in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and associated risks to health and ecology. Biological Conservation 153:10-16.
Davaasuren, B., M. Gilbert, and G. Sundev. 2010. (Abstract) The status and distribution of Pallas's Fish Eagle in Mongolia. P. 38 in S. Gombobaatar, R. Watson, M. Curti, R. Yosef, E. Potapov, and M. Gilbert (eds.). Asian raptors: science and conservation for present and future: The proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Asian Raptors. Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network, Mongolian Ornithological Society, and National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Gilbert, M.. 2010. (Abstract) Investigation of raptor morbidity and mortality: interpreting findings on individual and population scales. Pp. 100-101 in G. Sundev, R. Watson, M. Curti, R. Yosef, E. Potapov, and M. Gilbert (eds.). Asian raptors: science and conservation for present and future: The proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Asian Raptors. Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network, Mongolian Ornithological Society, and National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Newman, S.H., S.A. Iverson, J.Y. Takekawa, M. Gilbert, D.J. Prosser, N. Batbayar, T. Natsagdorj, and D.C. Douglas. 2009. Migration of Whooper Swans and outbreaks of pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in eastern Asia. PLosOne 4:e5729; doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0005729.
Johnson, J.A., M. Gilbert, M.Z. Virani, M. Asim, and D.P. Mindell. 2008. Temporal genetic analysis of the critically endangered Oriental White-backed Vulture in Pakistan. Biological Conservation 141:2403-2409. pdf
Kim, J.-K., P. Seiler, H.L. Forrest, A.M. Khalenkov, J. Franks, M. Kumar, W.B. Karesh, M. Gilbert, R. Sodnomdarjaa, B. Douanngeun, A.A. Govorkova, and R.G. Webster. 2008. Pathogenicity and vaccine efficacy of different clades of Asian H5N1 avian influenza A viruses in domestic ducks. Journal of Virology 82:11374-11382. pdf
Pain, D.J., C.G.R. Bowden, A. Cunningham, R. Cuthbert, D. Das, M. Gilbert, R.D. Jakati, Y. Jhala, A.A. Khan, V. Naidoo, L. Oaks, J. Parry-Jones, V. Prakash, A. Rahmani, S.P. Ranade, H.S. Baral, K.R. Senacha, S. Saravanan, N. Shah, G. Swan, D. Swarup, M.A. Taggart, R.T. Watson, M.Z. Virani, K. Wolter, and R.E. Green. 2008. Breeding and mortality of Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis in Punjab Province, Pakistan. Bird Conservation International 12:311-326. pdf
Pain, D.J., C.G.R. Bowden, A. Cunningham, R. Cuthbert, D. Das, M. Gilbert, R.D. Jakati, Y. Jhala, A.A. Khan, V. Naidoo, L. Oaks, J. Parry-Jones, V. Prakash, A. Rahmani, S.P. Ranade, H.S. Baral, K.R. Senacha, S. Saravanan, N. Shah, G. Swan, D. Swarup, M.A. Taggart, R.T. Watson, M.Z. Virani, K. Wolter, and R.E. Green. 2008. The race to prevent the extinction of South Asian vultures. Bird Conservation International 18:S30-S48. pdf
Watson, R.T., M. Gilbert, and M. Virani. 2008. Neck-drooping posture of Oriental White-backed Vultures (Gyps bengalensis) in close proximity to human observers. Journal of Raptor Research 42:66-67. pdf
Gilbert, M., R.T. Watson, and M.Z. Virani. 2007. Neck-drooping posture in Oriental White-backed Vultures (Gyps bengalensis): an unsuccessful predictor of vulture mortality and population decline, and its probable role in thermoregulation. Journal of Raptor Research 41:35-40. pdf
Gilbert, M., R.T. Watson, S. Ahmed, M. Asim, and J.A. Johnson. 2007. Vulture restaurants and their role in reducing diclofenac exposure in Asian vultures. Bird Conservation International 17:63-77. pdf
Karesh, W.B., R.A. Cook, M. Gilbert, and J. Newcomb. 2007. Implications of wildlife trade on the movement of avian influzenza and other infectious diseases. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 43:55-59. pdf
Gilbert, M., S. Chansocheat, and N. Sureda. 2006. First record of Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis in Chhep, Preah Vihear, northern Cambodia. Vulture News 55:4-5.
Gilbert, M., and S. Chansocheat. 2006. Olfaction in accipitrid vultures. Vulture News 55:6-7.
Gilbert, M., R.T. Watson, M.Z. Virani, J.L. Oaks, S. Ahmed, M.J.I. Chaudhry, M.Arshad, S. Mahmood, A. Ali, and A.A. Khan. 2006. Rapid population declines and mortality clusters in three Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis colonies in Pakistan due to diclofenac poisoning. Oryx 40:388-399. pdf
Meteyer, C.U., B.A. Rideout, M. Gilbert, J.L. Shivaprasad, and J.L. Oaks. 2005. Pathology and proposed paraphysiology of diclofenac poisoning in free-living and experimentally exposed Oriental White-backed Vultures (Gyps bengalensis). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 41:707-716. pdf
Gilbert, M. 2004. On a wing and a prayer. Wildlife Magazine: April.
Gilbert, M. L. Oaks, M. Z. Virani, R. T. Watson, S. Ahmed, M. J. Iqbal Chaudhry, M. Arshad, S. Mahmood, A. Ali, R. M. Khattak, and A. A. Khan. 2004. The status and decline of vultures in the provinces of Punjab and Sind, Pakistan: a 2003 update. Pp. 221-234 in: Chancellor, R. D. and B.-U. Meyburg (eds.), Raptors Worldwide. World Working Group on Birds of Prey, Berlin, Germany. pdf
Green, R. E., I. Newton, S. Shultz, A. A. Cunningham, M. Gilbert, D. J. Pain, and V. Prakash. 2004. Diclofenac poisoning as a cause of vulture population declines across the Indian subcontinent. Journal of Applied Ecology 41: 793-800. pdf
Oaks, J.L., S.L:. Donahoe, F.R. Rurangirwa, B.A. Rideout, M. Gilbert, and M.Z. Virani. 2004. Identification of a novel mycoplasma species from an Oriental White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis). Journal of Clinical Microbiology 42:5909-5912. pdf
Oaks, J. L., M. Gilbert, M. Z. Virani, R. T. Watson, C. U. Meteyer, B. Rideout, H. L. Shivaprasad, S. Ahmed, M. J. I. Chaudhry, M. Arshad, S. Mahmood, A. Ali, and A. A. Khan. 2004. Diclofenac residues as the cause of vulture population decline in Pakistan. Nature 427: 630-633. pdf
Oaks, J. L., C. U. Meteyer, B. A. Rideout, H. L. Shivaprasad, M. Gilbert, M. Virani, R. T. Watson, and A. A. Kahn. 2004. Diagnostic investigation of vulture mortality: the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac is associated with visceral gout. Pp. 241-243 in: Chancellor, R. D. and B.-U. Meyburg (eds.), Raptors Worldwide. World Working Group on Birds of Prey and MME, Berlin, Germany. pdf
Sarrazin, F., M. Z. Virani, M. Gilbert, and A. A. Khan. 2004. Preliminary population viability analyses for Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis in Punjab Province, Pakistan. Pp. 215-219 in: Chancellor, R. D. and B. -U. Meyburg (eds.), Raptors Worldwide. World Working Group on Birds of Prey/ MME-BirdLife Hungary, Berlin, Germany. pdf
Virani, M., P. C. Benson, M. Gilbert, and S. Thomsett. 2004. A survey of the reproductive activities at some Gyps vulture nests in Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Ranthambhore National Parks, India, in the 2002/2003 breeding season. Pp. 263-268 in R.D. Chancellor and B.-U. Meyburg (eds.), Raptors Worldwide. World Working Group on Birds of prey, Berlin, and MME/BirdLife Hungary. pdf
Watson, R. T., M. Gilbert, J. L. Oaks, and M. Virani. 2004. The collapse of vulture populations in South Asia. Biodiversity 5: 3-7. pdf
Oaks, J. L., M. Gilbert, M. Z. Virani, R. T. Watson, C. U. Meteyer, B. Rideout, H. L. Shivaprasad, S. Ahmed, M. J. I. Chadhry, M. Arshad, S. Mahmood, A. Ali, and A. A. Khan. 2003. Vet drug responsible for population decline of White-backed Vultures in Pakistan. Mistnet 4(3&4):13-14.
Riley, J., J.L. Oaks, and M. Gilbert. 2003. Raillietiella trachea n. sp., a pentastomid from the trachea of an Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis taken in Pakistan, with speculation about its life-cycle. Systematic Parasitology 56:155-161. pdf
Gilbert, M., M.Z. Virani, R.T. Watson, J.L. Oaks, P.C. Benson, A.A. Khan, S. Ahmed, J. Chaudhry, M. Arshad, S. Mahmood, and Q.A. Shah. 2002. Breeding and mortality of Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis in Punjab Province, Pakistan. Bird Conservation International 12:311-326. pdf
Gilbert, M. 2002. Update: Asian vulture crisis. The Peregrine Fund Newsletter 33:13.
Gilbert, M. 2002. Vulture shock. BBC Wildlife 20(4): 58-60.
Virani, M. Z., M. Gilbert, R. Watson, A. A. Khan, L. Oaks, J. Chaudhry, S. Ahmed, M. Arshad, S. Mahmood, and A. Ali. 2002. (Abstract) Mortality and population collapse of Oriental White-backed Vulture in Pakistan. P. 654 in: Third North American Ornithological Conference. American Ornithologists' Union, New Orleans, LA.
Gilbert, M. 2001. An unexpected Christmas present. The Peregrine Fund Newsletter 32: 20-21.
Gilbert, M. and R. Tingay. 2001. Predation of a Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur Cheirogaleus medius by a Madagascar Harrier-hawk Polyboroides radiatus: an incidental observation. Lemur News 6: 6.
Khan, A. A., M. Z. Virani, L. Oaks, P. C. Benson, M. Gilbert, R. T. Watson, and R. W. Risebrough. 2001. A survey of the Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis in the Punjab Province, Pakistan. Journal of Research (Science) 12: 97-104.
Oaks, L., B. A. Rideout, M. Gilbert, R. Watson, M. Virani, and A. Ahmed Khan. 2001. (Abstract) Summary of diagnostic investigation into vulture mortality: Punjab Province, Pakistan, 2000-2001. Pp. 12-13 in: Katzner,T. and J. Parry-Jones (eds.), Reports from the workshop on Indian Gyps vultures. Estación Biologica Donaña/Raptor Research Foundation, Seville, Spain.
Virani, M., M. Gilbert, R. Watson, L. Oaks, P. Benson, A. A. Khan, and H. -S. Baral. 2001. Asian Vulture Crisis Project: field results from Pakistan and Nepal for the 2000-2001 field season. Pp. 7-9 in: T. Katzner and J. Parry-Jones (eds.), Reports from the workshop on Indian Gyps vultures. Estación Biologica Donaña/Raptor Research Foundation, Seville, Spain.
Virani, M., R. Watson, L. Oaks, M. Gilbert, P. Benson, A. A. Khan, H.S. Baral, Q. A. Shah, and J. B. Giri. 2001. The Asian vulture crisis--a global perspective. Pp. 3-6 in L. Bennun and M. Virani (eds.), Responding to the Asian vulture crisis: planning for vulture monitoring and conservation in Kenya. National Museums of Kenya, Kenya, South Africa.
Tingay, R. and M. Gilbert. 2000. Behaviour of Banded Kestrel Falco zoniventris in western Madagascar: a possible foraging association with Sickle-billed Vanga Falculea palliata. Bulletin of the African Bird Club 7: 111-113.