Wildlife Diseases, Parasitology and Toxicology

The Institute is a leader in studying factors that may negatively impact wildlife populations in south Texas. Diseases, parasites, environmental contaminants, and natural toxins (such as aflatoxin) are being evaluated by Institute personnel to determine their impacts on wildlife and to determine measures needed to enhance and maintain healthy wildlife populations. Researchers are also evaluating the relationships between wildlife diseases and humans. 

Institute researchers, Drs. Scott Henke and Alan Fedynich are developing methods for improving diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and control of wildlife diseases that also impact humans and domestic animals. Surveys are conducted to determine diseases that exist in a wide range of wildlife species and the disease’s potential impact on other species. The Institute has a partnership program with the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) focusing on wildlife diseases, parasitology, and toxicology related studies.