Access Online the Wildlife Disease Investigation Manual
The Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (CCWHC) released the second edition of its Wildlife Disease Investigation Manual in 2007. This invaluable, how-to-do manual is 101 pages in length and includes detailed illustrations. It is intended to be used "as a reference for people investigating wildlife mortality events or illness. It's primary objective is to ensure that appropriate samples are collected in the field, and that these reach a diagnostic laboratory in suitable condition for detailed examination. This will ensure an optimal chance to determine the cause and nature of the disease and to assess significance.
It is impossible to provide detailed guidelines that will be appropriate for all circumstances; our intent is to provide general directions that can be modified to fit the circumstances…. This will establish what type of samples and information are most appropriate, how these should be collected, stored and transported, and how many specimens can be examined.”
Source: CCWHC Manual
- WHO TO CONTACT FOR ASSISTANCE
- RESPONDING TO DISEASED WILDLIFE
- ONE SICK OR DEAD ANIMAL
- INVESTIGATING AN OUT-BREAK OR DIE-OFF
- HOW TO TRANSPORT SPECIMENS TO THE LABORATORY
- SPECIMENS FOR FORENSIC (MEDICO-LEGAL) EXAMINATION
- PROTECT YOURSELF
- KILLING SICK ANIMALS SAFELY AND HUMANELY
- NECROPSY: Dissection in the Field
- DISPOSING OF ANIMAL CARCASSES
>>> TO MANUAL [pdf]
What Other Essential Resources Should Every Wildlife Professional Know About?
Know of an invaluable resource (e.g. manual, website, online database) that every wildlife professional should be aware of? Send the title and a link (if available) of this indispensable resource to us at wdin@usgs.gov, and we will share it with your colleagues on the Digest.
