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Background:Although the rate of emerging infectious diseases that originate in wildlife has been increasing globally in recent decades, there is currently a lack of epidemiological data from wild animals. Methodology:We used serology to determine prior exposure to foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV),Brucellaspp., andCoxiella burnetiiand used genetic testing to detect blood‐borne parasitic infections in the generaEhrlichia,Anaplasma,Theileria, andBabesiafrom wildlife in two national parks, Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, and Etosha National Park (ENP), Namibia. Serum and whole blood samples were obtained from free‐roaming plains zebra (Equus quagga), greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), impala (Aepyceros melampus), and blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). Risk factors (host species, sex, and sampling park) for infection with each pathogen were assessed, as well as the prevalence and distribution of co‐occurring infections. Results:In KNP 13/29 (45%; confidence interval [CI]: 26%–64%) kudus tested positive for FMD, but none of these reacted to SAT serotypes. For brucellosis, seropositive results were obtained for 3/29 (10%; CI: 2%–27%) kudu samples. Antibodies againstC. burnetiiwere detected in 6/29 (21%; CI: 8%–40%) kudus, 14/21 (67%; CI: 43%–85%) impalas, and 18/39 (46%; CI: 30%–63%) zebras. A total of 28/28 kudus tested positive forTheileriaspp. (100%; CI: 88%–100%) and 27/28 forAnaplasma/Ehrlichiaspp. (96%; CI: 82%–100%), whereas 12/19 impalas (63%) and 2/39 zebra (5%) tested positive forAnaplasma centrale. In ENP, only 1/29 (3%; CI: 0%–18%) wildebeest samples tested positive for FMD. None of the samples tested positive for brucellosis, whileC. burnetiiantibodies were detected in 26/30 wildebeests (87%; CI: 69%–96%), 16/40 kudus (40%; CI: 25%–57%), and 26/26 plains zebras (100%; CI: 87%–100%). A total of 60%Anaplasma/Ehrlichiaspp. and 35%Theileria/Babesiaspp. in kudu and 37% wildebeest tested positive toTheileriasp. (sable), 30% toBabesia occultans, and 3%–7% toAnaplasmaspp. The seroprevalence of Q fever was significantly higher in ENP, whileBrucellaspp.,Anaplasma,Ehrlichia,Theileria, andBabesiaspecies were significantly higher in KNP. Significant coinfections were also identified. Conclusion:This work provided baseline serological and molecular data on 40+ pathogens in four wildlife species from two national parks in southern Africa. 

Abstract Amidst numerous global crises, decision‐makers have recognized the critical need for fact‐based advice, driving unprecedented data collection. However, a significant gap persists between data availability and knowledge generation, primarily due to time and resource constraints. To bridge this gap, we propose involving a novel group of citizen scientists: volunteer code developers.Utilizing the modular, open‐source analysis platform MoveApps, we were able to engage 12 volunteer coders in a challenge to create tools for movement ecology, aimed at animal conservation. These volunteers developed functioning applications capable of analysing animal tracking data to identify stationary behaviour, estimate ranges and movement corridors and assess human–wildlife conflicts using data sets from human infrastructure, such as OpenStreetMap.Engaging citizen scientists in developing code has surfaced three primary challenges: (i) Community Building—attracting the right participants; (ii) Community Involvement—maintaining quality standards and directing tasks effectively; and (iii) Community Retention—ensuring long‐term engagement. We explore strategies to overcome these challenges and share lessons learnt from our coding challenge experience. Our approaches include engaging the community through their own preferred channels, providing an accessible open‐source tool, defining specific use cases in detail, ensuring quality through feedback, fostering self‐organized community exchanges and prominently illustrating the impact of contributions.We also advocate for other disciplines to consider leveraging volunteer involvement, alongside artificial intelligence, for data analysis and generating state‐of‐the‐art, fact‐based insight to address critical issues such as the global decline in biodiversity.