Training Materials
Wildlife Health Basic Training Module
In this module designed for DEC field staff, learn about wildlife disease, how to work safely with wildlife, and more.
Wildlife Health Topic: Wildlife Health Program Webinar: Wildlife Forensics
This webinar is the sixth and final in our 2020 Virtual Wildlife Health Workshop series for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation staff and other wildlife professionals this year. Learn about wildlife forensics from some of the people directly involved in the investigations. We cover what it takes to process a case and a scene, how specimen collection and documentation keep the evidence secure, what the Wildlife Health Unit sees from a pathology perspective, and how all that ties into a successful outcome.
Wildlife Health Topic: Wildlife Health Program Webinar: Research Highlights
This webinar is the fifth in our 2020 Virtual Wildlife Health Workshop series for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation staff and other wildlife professionals. It covers WHP research projects at the Wildlife Health Unit at Delmar and at the Wildlife Health Lab at Cornell.
Wildlife Health Topic: Wildlife Health Program Webinar: The New York State Wildlife Health Program
This webinar was the fourth in the Wildlife Health Program's 2020 Virtual Wildlife Health Workshop series for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation staff and other wildlife professionals. Topics included an overview of the program and its activities, the case submission process, how necropsies are performed, interesting recent wildlife mortality cases, and training resources and technical materials on the website.
Wildlife Health Topic: Wildlife Health Program Webinar: Emerging Risks to Wildlife
This webinar was part of our 2020 Virtual Wildlife Health Workshop series for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation staff and other wildlife professionals. It covers emerging disease threats to free-ranging wildlife and the importance of disease surveillance in New York State.
Wildlife Health Topic: Wildlife Health Program Webinar: Common Diseases in Wildlife
Join us for the second webinar in our Virtual Wildlife Health Workshop series as we update NYS wildlife professionals on common diseases of wildlife. From deer diseases and avian pox to rabies and West Nile Virus, the Wildlife Health Program covers it here.
Wildlife Health Topic: COVID-19 in Wildlife Webinar
Join us for our first Virtual Wildlife Health Workshop as we update NYS wildlife professionals on what we know about COVID-19 and wildlife. Learn where we are with testing and risks to species with Dr. Krysten Schuler, how to protect yourself and wildlife with appropriate PPE from wildlife biologist Kevin Hynes, and get the inside scoop on using and understanding mathematical models with Dr. Brenda Hanley.

Wildlife Health Topic: Chronic Wasting Disease: The Threats to Wildlife, Public Lands, Hunting, and Health, June 25, 2019
06/25/2019Dr. Krysten Schuler's complete written CWD Testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for the hearing on Chronic Wasting Disease: The Threats to Wildlife, Public Lands, Hunting, and Health
Wildlife Health Topic: A contemporary wildlife management issue: the use of lead ammunition for hunting big game
Former Chief Wildlife Biologist for the State of New York, Gordon R. Batcheller, discusses the the use of lead ammunition for hunting big game and the consequences for wildlife. The presentation was given at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in January, 2019 for the Conservation Medicine course (VTMED 6735).
Instructional Video: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Testing Process Video
A quick breakdown of the testing process for chronic wasting disease at the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center.
Instructional Video: CWD Testing Sample Submission Instructions for Hunters
An easy to follow "how to" video for hunters that are interested in submitting samples for chronic wasting disease testing on their harvested deer.
Instructional Video: Emerging infectious diseases of amphibians and reptiles
A short overview of the most import emerging infectious diseases of amphibians and reptiles as well as give some notes on the different approaches that are required to investigate a mortality event or to establish whether a pathogen is present in the environment or in a host population.
Wildlife Health Topic: Wildlife Disease Outbreak Investigation
Know how to respond to a wildlife disease outbreak and explore options for disease management.
Wildlife Health Topic: Wildlife Disease Surveillance
Learn the basics of wildlife diseases with an introduction to key terms and responsibilities.
Instructional Video: Handling and Shipping Wildlife Specimens
In this video, DEC Wildlife Biologist Kevin Hynes describes how to safely ship dead wildlife or wildlife samples to the Wildlife Health Program for testing.

Wildlife Health Topic: The 411 on Wildlife Diseases
Zoonoses are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people. If you're working with wildlife, you need to know what they are, how they are transmitted, and how to protect yourself. In this presentation, wildlife veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Bunting introduces the most important zoonoses for wildlife professionals in New York State to know.
Instructional Video: Disinfection Techniques
This video by DEC Wildlife Biologist Kevin Hynes explains how to properly disinfect equipment after handling wildlife.