National Wildlife Health Center
Honolulu Field Station
The National Wildlife Health Center Honolulu Field station (HFS) was established in 1992 to serve state and federal agencies in Hawaii and the Pacific Basin. HFS provides technical assistance and applied research to elucidate causes of wildlife disease and mortality. We work closely with biologists and managers to identify wildlife health issues that impact populations and strive to find solutions that assist in conservation and management of wildlife resources.
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Avian Botulism
Botulism is a natural toxin produced by a bacterium ( Clostridium botulinum ) commonly found in the soil. There are several types of botulism toxin some of which can affect humans who eat improperly canned foods. Birds get their own kind of botulism (Type C in Hawaii) that does not affect humans. Botulism type C is concentrated in aquatic invertebrates that filter feed sediments or...
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is caused by a microscopic parasites called a protozoan. The specific name of the protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii. T. gondii reproduces in the gut of cats (all members of the Felidae are susceptible). Cats shed the parasite in their feces, and the parasite is ingested by other animals (intermediate hosts) causing disease. Cats can...
Marine Invertebrate Diseases
Coral reefs worldwide are under tremendous stress primarily due to human activities along the coasts. While climate change, over fishing, and coastal development have been implicated as a major cause of coral reef decline, diseases seem to play an increasing role.
Sea Turtle Diseases
Sea turtles are one of the oldest groups of reptiles and are found worldwide. There are seven species of sea turtles in the world, and Hawaii has two of them, the hawksbill and the far more numerous green turtle. Threats to turtles include by-catch from fisheries activity, over harvesting of eggs on nesting beaches, and disease. Of the latter, the most significant disease of sea turtles is...
Avian Diseases
The Honolulu Field Station provides routine diagnostic support to state and federal agencies in order to determine cause of death in endangered and threatened native birds in Hawaii, US territories, and affiliated states in the Pacific. These activities have resulted in information that was important in the recovery of several species of endangered birds such as Laysan ducks, Nihoa...
Fish Health
Fish are an important component of marine ecosystems, but relatively little is known of their health, in part because sick and dying fish are difficult to detect.
Invasive Species
Invasive plants and animals can cause havoc in tropical island ecosystems, because many organisms that have evolved on islands have lost the ability to combat organisms arriving from the continents for reasons as varied as changes in immunity, life history, or behaviors. Early detection and intervention are key aspects dictating whether or not invasive organisms become established.
Manuals and Resources
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