Abstract
The U.S. Geological Survey—National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) provides diagnostic services, technical assistance, applied research, and training to federal, state, territorial, and local government agencies and Native American tribes on wildlife diseases and wildlife health issues throughout the United States and its territories, commonwealth, and freely associated states. Since 1975, >16,000 carcasses and specimens from vertebrate species listed under the Endangered Species Act have been submitted to NWHC for determination of causes of morbidity or mortality or assessment of health/disease status. Results from diagnostic investigations, analyses of the diagnostic database, technical assistance and consultation, field investigation of epizootics, and wildlife disease research by NWHC wildlife disease specialists have contributed importantly to the management and recovery of listed species.
Highlights
Knowledge of morbidity and mortality factors for endangered species and their relative importance and impact on endangered populations is a critical component of understanding the driving forces of species declines and potential for extinction, as well as identifying limiting factors to species recovery. Wilson (1992) identified the major drivers of species imperilment, including: habitat destruction, alien species, pollution, overexploitation, and disease
This paper presents examples and cases of contributions made by the U.S Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) to the survival and recovery of endangered species through identification and quantification of morbidity and mortality factors, technical assistance on wildlife disease-related issues, field investigation of epizootics, and through research and development to assist wildlife and natural resource managers in disease identification, prevention, and management in endangered species
Identification and quantification of mortality factors at this stage can contribute to management and regulatory decisions that may enhance survival and recovery of a species
Summary
Knowledge of morbidity and mortality factors for endangered species and their relative importance and impact on endangered populations is a critical component of understanding the driving forces of species declines and potential for extinction, as well as identifying limiting factors to species recovery. Wilson (1992) identified the major drivers of species imperilment, including: habitat destruction, alien species, pollution, overexploitation, and disease. This paper presents examples and cases of contributions made by the U.S Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) to the survival and recovery of endangered species through identification and quantification of morbidity and mortality factors, technical assistance on wildlife disease-related issues, field investigation of epizootics, and through research and development to assist wildlife and natural resource managers in disease identification, prevention, and management in endangered species.
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