The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute is taking the lead in studying animal health factors that may negatively impact wildlife populations in South Texas. Diseases, parasites, and environmental contaminants are being evaluated by Institute personnel to determine their impacts on wildlife. Through this research line, CKWRI scientists can determine what measures can be taken to enhance and maintain healthy wildlife populations.

Institute scientists have been actively involved in developing methods for improving diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and control of wildlife diseases that also impact humans and domestic animals. For example, researchers have been studying the feasibility of administering rabies vaccine to free-ranging carnivores such as coyotes and foxes to control rabies in central and South Texas.

Captive studies are being conducted at the Institute to determine impacts of environmental contaminants on native wildlife. Researchers are evaluating pesticide impacts on the behavior, reproduction, growth rate, and survival of certain wildlife species.