School of Biological Sciences

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Professor Ian Montgomery speaking at the conference

Over 600 world-leading wildlife experts flock to Queen's

Ireland's native small mammals will die out in at least 80 per cent of their available habitat unless Governments north and south of the border act to address the problem of invasive alien species, according to a leading academic at Queen's University Belfast.

The warning comes from Ian Montgomery, Professor of Animal Ecology in Queen's School of Biological Sciences as 600 of the world's leading wildlife experts flock to Belfast this week for the 11th International Mammalogical Congress (IMC11) which is being held at the University.  IMC is held every four years and brings together wildlife researchers and leading experts from all over the world.

Currently 25 per cent of all mammals worldwide are under threat of extinction.  Ireland has few indigenous mammal species and these are under threat from alien invasive species such as Sika deer, brown hare, mink, grey squirrel, bank vole, greater white toothed shrew.  Alien mammals are also now appearing in Ireland much more frequently than in the past.  Speaking ahead of the conference, Professor Montgomery, who is also Chair of the Local Organising Committee, said: "We are delighted and honoured to welcome so many eminent scientists and leading experts to Queen's.  Research tells us that without conservation measures many more mammals would be at risk of extinction as the situation would be 20 per cent worse".

"It is critical that we really understand the basic biology of mammals as well as the environmental processes at work.  Often it is a combination of factors, over-exploitation, habitat loss, climate change or disease that undermines conservation efforts.  IMC11 represents a great opportunity to exchange experiences and the latest in ground-breaking research across the world."

Topics being discussed throughout the six day conference include reintroducing rare mammals like the wolf and beaver, and threats to people from big cats including tigers.  Researchers will also be revealing the latest findings into the role of mammals in diseases that affect people as well as livestock and the impact of land management on mammal populations.

The importance of events like IMC11 was highlighted by veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough last month when he received an honorary degree from Queen's for exceptional services to science and broadcasting.  Speaking at the time he said: "For 500 years universities have been the guardians of the truth, the discovery of the truth and the proclaiming of the truth and that's never been more so than today."  The renowned naturalist praised students from Queen's School of Biological Sciences and told them that they would be at the forefront of preserving and restoring the planet.

The conference at Queen's is the first time the congress has been held in Europe since 1989 when it was held in Rome.  For further information visit the IMC11 website.

For media inquiries contact Claire O'Callaghan, Queen's Communications Office, on 028 9097 3087 or c.ocallaghan@qub.ac.uk

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