Winter 2023-24

Dear Friends of the Cornell Yang Center for Wildlife Health,

You have likely seen our announcement of the transformational gift of $35M from Lisa Yang ’74 for our work to secure a healthy future for wildlife, people and planet. Lisa’s philanthropy around the world clearly focuses on impact, and we are humbled and truly honored that she has chosen to partner with us.

Read the new piece in Mongabay about this gift!

Thank you all for helping us to get to this pivotal moment, and I look forward to ongoing partnership with our supporters at all levels so that we can continue and grow our important programs together.

From the river valleys of Nepal to the mountains of Central Asia, from tigers to leopards to Asiatic wild dogs (or dholes) — and from canine distemper to wildlife poisonings to the infectious diseases impacting wild sheep and goats — there's no shortage of threats to the health of these magnificent species and ecosystems, with some of these very same threats being of importance to agriculture and public health.

Please join us on Thursday, March 7th at 1:00PM EST for a free, live One Health webinar as Dr. Martin Gilbert from the Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health and some of its students and team members share their fieldwork experiences and help illustrate how the health of wildlife and our own health and well-being are inextricably linked.

In this eCornell webinar, Cornell’s Drs. Krysten Schuler, Jennifer Bloodgood and Steve Osofsky discuss issues ranging from avian influenza to SARS-CoV-2 to chronic wasting disease, and how we can promote the health and long-term sustainability of North America's terrestrial and aquatic wildlife populations.

Beyond Fences: Policy Options for Wildlife, Livelihoods and Transboundary Animal Disease Management in Southern Africa (video)

Dr. Steve Osofsky was asked to present on his One Health work in southern Africa at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C.

The Weird and Wonderful World of Wildlife Health (podcast)

This Cornell Veterinary Podcast episode features Dr. Krysten Schuler, who spends her days working to protect New York State's wildlife from diseases — from mange in bears to a deadly fungus in salamanders to chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer (and more!).

As the world moves on from COVID-19 and the risks of infectious disease emergence rise, a global team of experts, including Cornell's Dr. Raina Plowright, have joined together to design an action plan for stopping the next pandemic before it starts.

Count, Connect, Conserve: Southern Africa Elephant Survey Points the Way (Commentary)

A new op-ed by Cornell's Dr. Steve Osofsky and World Wildlife Fund colleagues focuses on securing wildlife migration corridors in southern Africa.

New Coronaviruses in Northeast Mammals Discovered by Cornell-Led Team

Cornell researchers have discovered coronaviruses in wild carnivores that had never been reported in these species before.

Reducing the Risks of Zoonotic Disease Transmission Through Responsible Cat Ownership

Cats occupy a distinct position in the ecological networks of companion animals, humans and wild and feral animals living near human habitations, according to a recent review article by a team of Cornell researchers.

Hundreds of Elephants Mysteriously Died. We May Finally Know Why. [National Geographic]

A massive die-off of the endangered species has been happening in sub-Saharan Africa since 2020. Until now, the culprit was unknown. A new study has shown the cause to be a bacterium not previously found in elephants of any species.

To Help Eagles, NYS Deer Hunters Can Choose Non-Toxic Ammo

State agencies are stepping-up education and outreach to promote voluntary adoption of non-lead alternatives, as recommended by the Lead Ammunition Working Group, a partnership that includes the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab.

Managing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza at the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital

While avian influenza has affected bird populations and mammal species across the world, the Cornell Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital has optimized its use of clinical medicine and collaboration to manage the risks of disease transmission among birds in the hospital, and from birds to mammals, including people.

Pesticides Detected in Beeswax

Led by Cornell toxicologist Dr. Karyn Bischoff, an analysis of beeswax in managed honeybee hives in New York found a wide variety of insecticide, herbicide and fungicide residues.

New Method Could Help Estimate Wildlife Disease Spread

A new method could help estimate the prevalence of disease in free-ranging wildlife to better determine how many samples are needed for detection.

New-to-U.S. Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella Found in Bear

A black bear being treated at the Cornell Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital tested positive for a Salmonella strain that had not been seen in animals in the U.S. before. 

New Faculty Profile: Dr. Cynthia Hopf-Dennis

Dr. Cynthia Hopf-Dennis from the Cornell Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Hospital discusses her path to focusing on the health and well-being of our native wild animals while educating the public about their value.

The Ways of Water: My Life-Changing Aquatics Externships

What the Ocean Brings Us

The Problem with Power Lines: Electrocution of Sloths in Costa Rica

Wildlife Detectives: Giving Wildlife a Voice

Spotted: A Veterinary Student Living Her Dream Life at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia

An Action-Packed Externship with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Sloths, Monkeys, and Anteaters, Oh My! Wildlife Medicine and Conservation in Costa Rica

Expanding My Horizons at Zoológico Guadalajara

Working Towards the Conservation of the African Penguin

More in the News

Self-Portraits Give Voice to Vulnerable Cambodian Fishing Communities

Latest Outbreak of Deadly Bird Flu Kills 220 Flamingos in Argentina. The Virus’ Global Spread Concerns Experts. [CNN]

The Viral Threat Almost No One Is Thinking About [The Atlantic]

Study Teases out Strategies to Prevent Fatal Deer Disease Re-entering NY

Giant Chicken Frog Faces Extinction Due to a Deadly Amphibian Fungus [CNN]

Wrestles With Wolves: Saving the World One Species at a Time with Bill Konstant

Making a Difference through a Career in Conservation: An Evening with Wildlife Veterinarian Markus Hofmeyr

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Please consider supporting the Cornell Yang Center for Wildlife Health by giving online or contacting Alison Smith at 607-254-6129 or ars1@cornell.edu. Thank you!