 Research
Group 3: Wildlife Diseases
Head: Prof. Dr. Alex D. Greenwood
The biology of many wildlife species is poorly characterized. This extends to the diseases from which many species suffer. This lack of knowledge is particularly alarming considering that anthropogenic effects on climate and animal habitat is forcing novel contact between wildlife with both domesticated animals and humans. As a consequence zoonoses are increasing along with the risk of disease spill over into wildlife. The Wildlife Diseases group is trying to expand knowledge in the area of diseases that affect wildlife biology and health and characterize the known and unknown pathogens that cause illness. Some of the groups goals are to 1) determine and analyze diseases and health status of captive and wild animal populations using pathological, histological, immunohistochemical and microbiological methods 2) examine pathogen load and immune status 3) determine the source and spread of diseases 4) measure the qualitative and quantitative effects of disease on wildlife populations 5) elucidate pathogenesis of population limiting diseases 6) determine the influence of disease on population dynamics of endangered species. The research is subdivided into five areas:
Bacteriology
Immunology
Parasitology
Pathology
Virology
The combined expertise allows the group to address complex multidisciplinary problems through many integrated projects that overlap within the group and among other research groups within the institute and beyond.
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