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Two female researchers doing bobcat research in the field

Two female researchers doing bobcat research in the field

Wildlife Health

The Wildlife Health Section is a group of veterinarians, researchers and technicians dedicated to diagnosing, monitoring and conducting research on diseases of free-ranging wildlife in Colorado. 

What We Do

Working in concert with agency biologists and managers, we focus our work on issues that affect the long-term health and viability of wildlife populations. Additionally, we develop tools and methodologies to facilitate improved research and safe and humane wildlife capture, handling, and monitoring. 

    Disease Research

    Research is being conducted on diseases that affect the long term survival of wildlife populations or prevent the growth of wildlife populations such as pneumonia in bighorn sheep, plague in prairie dogs and chronic wasting disease in deer, elk and moose.

    Diagnostic Services

    Wildlife health staff conduct necropsies and diagnostics to monitor the health of wildlife populations in Colorado.

    Foothills Wildlife Research Facility

    The wildlife health work is augmented by the Foothills Wildlife Research Facility where numerous species of wildlife are maintained for research and teaching purposes. In-house molecular diagnostics and necropsy services are utilized to support our efforts to deliver a coordinated and systematic approach to wildlife health.​​​​

    Video: "Prairie Dog Burrow Timelapse" - CPW

    SPOTLIGHT

    Featured Project

    This is the story of how our Avian Research and Wildlife Health Programs teamed up with partners to study and test a new plague vaccine and improve habitat for endangered black-footed ferrets and other wildlife. Avian Researchers have documented the benefits of maintaining active prairie dog colonies for many species such as ferruginous hawks, golden eagles, various grassland songbirds, coyotes, and badgers.

    Meet the Team

    ​Mary Wood

    • State Wildlife Veterinarian/Wildlife Health Program Leader
    • Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    ​Karen Griffin

    • Molecular Diagnostics Technologist
    • Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    ​Maicie Lingwall

    • Wildlife Health Facilities Manager
    • Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    ​​Pauline Nol

    • Field Wildlife Veterinarian
    • Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    ​Ian Smith

    • Field Capture Technician​
    • Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    ​Daniel Tripp

    • Wildlife Disease Researcher
    • Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    Alexandria Argue

    • Wildlife Pathologist​
    • Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    Jack Grider

    • Wildlife Disease Researcher
    • Colorado Parks and Wildlife
    A person pointing at animal tracks in the snow.

    Wildlife Health Research

    Research Library

    The Research Library was created in the late 1960s to provide support primarily to the wildlife research sections. The Research Library evolved to serve the broader information management needs of CPW staff. Library collections are focused on wildlife ecology and associated ecological information and CPW public historical records such as Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting agendas and minutes. 

    Explore The Research Library

    Contact for Wildlife Health Concerns

    • Report any wildlife health concerns directly to area/regional offices.
    • If you're not sure your nearest CPW Office, find phone numbers on the Contact Us page, https://cpw.state.co.us/contact-us