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Today, a wolf, alpaca, horse, African grey parrot and a macaque lie on the section table. For Judith van den Brand, it is the most ordinary thing in the world. As a veterinary pathologist, she examines special kept and zoo animals that come into the Veterinary Pathological Diagnostic Centre for cause of death. She combines this with the directorship of the . Here, approximately 450 dead wild animals are examined annually to identify diseases and possible impact on animal and public health.

What makes working as a veterinary pathologist so interesting to you?

‘I have always been fascinated by pathology. It feels like detective work: a puzzle you have to solve. No animal is the same and every day is different. Sometimes I work with a small frog and the next moment with an elephant or a tiger. Many animals stay with me, but very special to me was collaborating on the autopsy of a stranded orca.’

Can you tell a bit more about the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC)?

‘We investigate dead wild animals in the Netherlands. We do this to find out the cause of death or to gain insight into mortality. Imagine: many animals suddenly die. Then we find out which pathogen is behind it and what the impact is on people, animals and nature. We advise institutes such as ministries and the RIVM on this. Our work has great societal relevance, because diseases can sometimes spread from wild animals to people and pets. We also take samples that we keep in a biobank, for future research.’

No animal is the same and every day is different. Sometimes I work with a small frog and the next moment with an elephant or a tiger.

We also see you on TV from time to time, as you recently told Nieuwsuur and Hart van Nederland about bird flu and the Usutu virus. How do you find that aspect of your work?

‘True, that's also part of it. I don't necessarily need to be in the spotlight, but I do find it fun and important to tell people more about our work. So that they understand why it is necessary to detect diseases in wild animals early.’

How do you experience working at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine?

‘As very pleasant. I am glad that I had the opportunity to grow further at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine after my PhD research in 2017. It is obviously a unique workplace, with an united team and motivated students. We experience fantastic things here. And at the same time, as in other places, you run into challenges here. For instance, how do I keep a good balance between all my work, while I also have a family with two teenagers and quite some travel time? Fortunately, I am very supported by my supervisor and department head. They are happy to help and think about how I can organise my work optimally.’

What wishes or ambitions do you have for the future?

‘My wish is that we can keep the DWHC well-run and financially healthy. So that we can continue our work for animal and human health and keep students learning from it.’