Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

National Wildlife Health Center

Welcome to the National Wildlife Health Center! Our mission is to advance wildlife health science for the benefit of animals, humans, and the environment.

Explore SCIENCE to learn more about wildlife diseases, ongoing projects, the Honolulu Field Station, and our services.

Explore WEB TOOLS to access WHISPers, wildlife health bulletins, our field manual, and more.

News

Inaugural USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day - April 25, 2025

Inaugural USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day - April 25, 2025

USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day

USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day

Spring 2025 Highlights from EESC’s Disease Decision Analysis and Research Group

Spring 2025 Highlights from EESC’s Disease Decision Analysis and Research Group

Publications

Safety and immunogenicity of poultry vaccine for protecting critically endangered avian species against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, United States

In 2023, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza occurred among critically endangered California condors (Gymnogyps californianus), and >21 died. We evaluated safety, immunogenicity, vaccination strategies, and correlates of antibody response of an influenza vaccine for poultry in black vultures (Coragyps atratus) and then California condors. We noted differences in antibody...
Authors
Todd E. Katzner, Ashleigh V. Blackford, Mary Donahue, Samantha E.J. Gibbs, Julianna B. Lenoch, Michael K. Martin, Tonie E. Rocke, J. Jeffrey Root, Darren Styles, Sunny Cooper, Kristin Dean, Zachary Dvornicky-Raymond, Dominique Keller, Carlos Sanchez, Brett Dunlap, Thomas Grier, Michael P. Jones, Gregory Nitzel, Erin Patrick, Maureen Purcell, Aaron J. Specht, David L. Suarez

Lead exposure in waterfowl before contoxic shot requirements: A nationwide study, 1983−1986

Before implementing nontoxic shot requirements for hunting waterfowl and American coots Fulica americana in the United States in 1991, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitored lead poisoning in waterfowl on federal and state wildlife hunting areas during 1983-1986. Federal and state collaborators collected gizzards and livers from 9,029 hunter-killed waterfowl (10 species of dabbling...
Authors
J. Christian Franson, Christine M. Bunck

A partnership between the USGS and the Klamath Tribes to apply structured decision making for chronic wasting disease management

Project Overview: The Klamath Tribes (TKT) are the Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin Paiute peoples, and are the first peoples of the land, having lived in ancestral lands of Oregon and California since time immemorial. Members of TKT have rights to hunt, fish, trap, and gather, including the harvest of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) within the 1.19...
Authors
Margaret C. McEachran, Katie M. Guntly-Yancey, Richard E.W. Berl, Donald Gentry, Michael Runge, Carl White, Jonathan D. Cook

Science

Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in 36 US states and five Canadian provinces in free-ranging cervids and/or commercial captive cervid facilities. CWD has been detected in free-ranging cervids in 36 states and four provinces and in captive cervid facilities in 22 states and three provinces.
link

Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in 36 US states and five Canadian provinces in free-ranging cervids and/or commercial captive cervid facilities. CWD has been detected in free-ranging cervids in 36 states and four provinces and in captive cervid facilities in 22 states and three provinces.
Learn More

Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern due to their potential effects on health, ecosystems, and economies. Algal toxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain species of cyanobacteria and algae, are commonly linked to these blooms. It's important to note that algal toxins can still be present even when a bloom is not visible, highlighting the need for ongoing...
link

Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern due to their potential effects on health, ecosystems, and economies. Algal toxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain species of cyanobacteria and algae, are commonly linked to these blooms. It's important to note that algal toxins can still be present even when a bloom is not visible, highlighting the need for ongoing...
Learn More

Avian Influenza Surveillance

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) conducts surveillance in wild birds to facilitate early detection and situational awareness for high consequence pathogens, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses.
link

Avian Influenza Surveillance

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) conducts surveillance in wild birds to facilitate early detection and situational awareness for high consequence pathogens, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses.
Learn More
Was this page helpful?