Resources

Wildlife Futures is continually in the process of developing resources for our constituents. Currently, we offer:

Threat Assessment – The Wildlife Futures team publishes threat assessment reports regularly. Some of these may be SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) specific, while others are on a range of topics.
- View our Threat Assessment reports...
Wildlife COVID-19 Resources – A collection of comprehensive resources including research that sheds light on how SARS-CoV-2 may or may not influence wildlife health, directives wildlife professionals are issuing to protect human and wildlife populations, and other informative articles related to the topic.
- View our Wildlife COVID-19 Resources...
Wildlife Disease Fact Sheets – A compendium of fact sheets on various wildlife diseases, organized into the following groups: mammals, birds, reptiles & amphibians, and multiple species groups.
- View our wildlife disease fact sheets...
Additional Resources
- Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease was found in domestic rabbits in Pennsylvania in the summer of 2022. Download this flyer for more information about this virus and what it means to rabbits and hares in Pennsylvania.
- If you are looking for additional wildlife resources, please visit Wildlife in Need Emergency Response Service of Pennsylvania, Inc.
- You can also visit Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators.

Chronic Wasting Disease - Data Visualization Dashboard

The Pennsylvania Game Commission began collecting CWD data on deer and elk in 1998, with the first case of CWD identified in 2012 in Pennsylvania’s white-tailed deer population. The Game Commission and the Wildlife Futures Program, along with the expertise of the Timmons Group, have created a visualization dashboard that tracks CWD sampling and test results. This tool provides current CWD surveillance information to hunters, wildlife managers, and other stakeholders.

View the PGC CWD Dashboard

Wildlife Futures ALERT: Reports of sick and dying birds are declining

Beginning in mid-May, nestling and fledgling songbirds – mainly blue jays, starlings, and common grackles, but also robins and cardinals – were found with ocular and neurologic issues, and in some cases these birds have been found dead in large numbers. We thank everyone who reported observations of these birds through this website. While multiple diagnostic tests have been conducted by many labs, the cause of the illness remains unknown.

Visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission's website for the latest update...

Where

Affected birds were first reported in Washington, DC, and have since been reported across the eastern United States including the Mid-Atlantic region, extending south to Tennessee and possibly Florida, west to Indiana, and north into Pennsylvania.
Agencies & Diagnostic Laboratories
Many agencies over a multi-state area are continuing to work with diagnostic laboratories to investigate the cause of mortality, including:
- Wildlife Futures Program
- USGS National Wildlife Health Center
- University of Georgia Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study
- Multiple state and independent diagnostic laboratories
What You Can Do
- Although this mortality event is winding down, birds do congregate at feeders and bird baths and one sick bird with any type of infection could potentially spread disease at these locations. With that in mind, we recommend:
- Resume feeding birds, but clean feeders and bird baths with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10% household bleach solution. After allowing 10 minutes of contact time, rinse with clean water and allow to air dry. Cleaning and disinfection should be done at a minimum weekly basis or more frequently when soiled to prevent potential spread of any infectious diseases between birds and other wildlife, as well as remove spoiled food.
- When feeding birds, follow scientific and expert recommendations such as those listed by the Audubon Society: Audubon Guide to Bird Feeding (sfvaudubon.org)
Additional Resources
- If you are looking for additional wildlife resources, please visit Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators.
- Check the USGS National Wildlife Health Center website National Wildlife Health Center - News (usgs.gov) for nation-wide updates.
- Return to this website (www.vet.upenn.edu/wildlife-futures) for updates on this songbird mortality event and other news regarding wildlife health.