Wildlife Diseases

Much of the interest in disease ecology and wildlife health has been prompted by the emergence, or resurgence, of parasites that move between livestock, wildlife, and/or humans. Almost 75% of all emerging human infectious diseases are zoonotic and many livestock disease issues are associated with repeated introductions from wildlife species. However, parasites are also passed in the other direction from domestic hosts to wildlife hosts and these parasites may affect the long-term conservation of wildlife species.

Unprecedented human population abundance and distribution combined with anthropogenic environmental change has resulted in dramatic increases in human-animal contact, thus increasing the intimate linkages between animal and human health. NoRock scientists collaborate with a number of partners including: Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Montana State University, University of Montana, Penn State University, Yellowstone National Park and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. Together, they are working on some of the most pressing wildlife health issues around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem:

Current Projects

• Brucellosis in Elk and Bison around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in Elk and Mule Deer
• Estimating Mule Deer and Elk Connectivity in the Rocky Mountains using Viral Markers

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