Disease management in Wildlife

Abstract

Management of disease in wild animals may be done because the disease is having a negative effect on a valued species, because the disease is a risk to humans or domestic animals, or because there is public pressure to "do something" about a perceived problem. Management may  take four general directions: a decision might be made not to intervene, in which case the disease will continue; or intervention could be directed at preventing disease occurrence, reducing the frequency or impact of the disease, or complete eradication of an existing condition. Within these general directions, effort might be directed at attacking the disease agent, altering the environment, manipulating the host population, or changing human activities.  Most programs involve some combination of techniques that  includes public education. Disease management requires input from many disciplines; the system used in Canada to link veterinary and wildlife management expertise through the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre is described.