People who work for Wildlife Futures Program standing in front of a truck.

Wildlife Futures Program

Launched in 2019, the Wildlife Futures Program is a novel partnership between the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission aimed at strengthening the resilience of the Commonwealth's 480 species of birds and mammals.

The Wildlife Futures Program conducts wildlife health surveillance, research, and outreach to inform and improve wildlife management in Pennsylvania and beyond.


Wildlife Futures in the News

Featured Research & Response Initiatives

The threat posed by disease to wildlife and its conservations is at an all-time high. Wildlife Futures is actively conducting research and surveillance to negate this concerning trend.

People helping a deer

Chronic Wasting Disease

A researching helping a goose

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

A bird in the woods

West Nile Virus

For information on Wildlife Diseases in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Wildlife Health page

About Reporting Wildlife Health Issues in Pennsylvania

If you would like to report a wildlife health issue, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has made it easier than ever for the public to continue playing a critical role in wildlife health surveillance. The agency’s Wildlife Health Survey enables the public to report observations of wildlife health issues occurring within the Commonwealth.

Any wild birds or mammals that appear abnormal, injured, sick, or are found dead should be reported. Remember to always remain at a safe distance when observing wildlife and do not handle wildlife unless you are hunting, trapping, or authorized to do so. If you require immediate assistance, call 1-833-PGC-HUNT or 1-833-PGC-WILD.

The Wildlife Health Survey can be accessed by visiting www.pgcapps.pa.gov/WHS