About the NWHC
The National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) is a science
center of the Biological
Resources Discipline of the United
States Geological Survey. The NWHC was established in
1975 as a biomedical laboratory dedicated to assessing the
impact of disease on wildlife and to identifying the role
of various pathogens in contributing to wildlife losses.
Background and Activities
Each year, wildlife managers across the United States are confronted with sick and dead animals,
frequently on a large scale. Minimizing such wildlife losses depends on effective technical support,
knowledgeable guidance, and timely intervention. The National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) mission
is to provide information, technical assistance, and research on national and international wildlife
health issues. To fulfill the NWHC mission, the Center monitors disease and assesses the impact of
disease on wildlife populations; defines ecological relationships leading to the occurrence of disease;
transfers technology for disease prevention and control; and provides guidance, training and on-site
assistance for reducing wildlife losses when outbreaks occur.
The NWHC is located in Madison, Wisconsin. The modern buildings and laboratories are designed
exclusively for combatting wildlife diseases. Due to the mobility of wildlife and the potential for
spread of disease, timely and accurate determination of causes of wildlife illness and death is a prerequisite
to achieving effective disease control and prevention. National wildlife refuge personnel, law enforcement
agents, state conservation agency biologists, university-affiliated scientists and others send wildlife
carcasses and tissue samples to the NWHC for diagnostic examination. The Center has a staff of over
seventy scientists and support personnel who offer services and conduct activities to prevent and
control wildlife diseases. The Center had a major role in conducting field studies and providing
expert testimony that resulted in the conversion to nontoxic shot for hunting waterfowl in the United States.
Center field investigations provide immediate technical assistance to field personnel who find sick
and dead wildlife. NWHC personnel provide instructions on collection, preservation, and shipment of
specimens for laboratory examination and will travel to problem areas to conduct field investigations
and assist local personnel with disease control operations. They respond to catastrophic events,
such as major die-offs, that threaten the health of wildlife populations. Assistance is provided
for disease problems that involve migratory birds, endangered species and other warm-blooded
wildlife that live on Department of Interior (DOI) lands throughout the United States.
Center staff also provide expertise regarding animal welfare regulations and their
application to wildlife. Technical assistance regarding animal welfare matters is often provided
to wildlife biologists and others. Preparation of videotapes, publications, consultations and
training are activities commonly carried out by the Center in the animal welfare arena.
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