Fast Facts: Black-tailed deer fawns and yearlings are most affected by the hair-loss syndrome Brucellosis was documented in Washington's marine mammals for the first time in 1995 Fact Sheets: Chronic Wasting Disease Read Fact sheet about Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) Read Fact sheet about hair-loss syndrome Related Links: See pictures of black-tailed deer afflicted with hairloss syndrome. WSU School of Veterinary Medicine UC Davis Wildlife Health Center American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians Wildlife Rehabilitators Information Directory

The Wildlife Research Division is responsible for providing technical support and expertise in the field of wildlife veterinary medicine, including training on humane and safe handling, and immobilization techniques of several wildlife species, including dangerous animals (e.g. cougar and black bear) and large ungulates (e.g. deer, elk and moose). This section is also responsible for monitoring the health and disease factors of all of Washington's wildlife. Maintaining wildlife populations in the face of continuing habitat loss requires the best science available. To this end a veterinarian's training is complementary to that of the wildlife biologist. The veterinarian assists the biologist by working with him to assure the proper use of the most current and safest animal immobilization drugs, many of which can only be used under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. The veterinarian's understanding of contagious diseases and their transmission is shared with biologists who are faced with managing large concentrations of animals at winter feeding stations. Performing autopsies on deceased animals and conducting health and parasite screens on animals captured for relocation, or other reasons, has allowed for the development of herd health data. In addition to working with biologists, a wildlife veterinarian's duties may include working on forensics evidence with enforcement officers, instructing classes on wildlife immobilization and the handling and care of wildlife, assisting in the drafting of legislation to protect wildlife, formulating special purpose pharmacological preparations, investigating animal die-offs, and responding to public concerns relative to wildlife. Some wildlife veterinarians supervise research facilities. A wildlife veterinarian is privileged to spend a good deal of time in the field and work on a variety of species. Current projects include investigation on a black-tailed deer hair-loss syndrome, investigating occurence of brucellosis in Washington marine mammals, assisting in a long term bear study by surgically implanting radio transmitters in the study bears and documenting the occurrence and frequency of elk and deer mortalities from bacillary hemoglobinuria.

Captured mountain lion is prepared for relocation to remote area. Black bear is prepared for surgical implants.

Contact wildthing@dfw.wa.gov for more information about research.