Spring 2022


Because we need nature, and now nature needs us
A tiger painted on a building in Thimphu, Butan.
Dear Friends of the Cornell Wildlife Health Center,

In recognition of the Year of the Tiger, I’d like to highlight a few stories about our work focused on ensuring a future for wild tigers for years to come. We've been working extensively with our international partners to better understand the most important health threats, including those posed by canine distemper virus (CDV), to critically endangered tigers across Asia. Here are some of the latest updates on our collaborative efforts:

  • The cause of a mysterious illness in an endangered wild tiger in Bhutan was uncovered— a tapeworm usually only found in people and pigs— highlighting the inextricable links between wildlife, domestic animal, and human health.
  • We've found that endangered wild Sumatran tigers have been previously exposed to CDV. This furthers our understanding of how this virus may threaten these critical top predators. Our actual scientific paper is here.
  • Dr. Martin Gilbert, our Wild Carnivore Health Specialist, and other big cat conservationists discuss the impacts of infectious diseases on wild tiger populations in this brand new podcast from WildCats Conservation Alliance, “WildCats Pawcast: Are We Making Tigers and Their Prey Sick?”

Yours in One Health,

Steve

Steve Osofsky, DVM
Director, Cornell Wildlife Health Center
Jay Hyman Professor of Wildlife Health & Health Policy
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
The New York Wildlife Health Program, a partnership between the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, was renewed for 5 years! This key program helps protect the health of New York's diverse wildlife.
Krysten Schuler and Beth Bunting
Michelle Greenfield with dolphin
Cornell veterinary student Michelle Greenfield, DVM '23, has leveraged her lifelong passion for aquatic animals to produce Aquadocs – the only aquatics-focused veterinary podcast as well as a top 50 life sciences podcast on iTunes. Each show dives into a different facet of veterinary work in the marine and freshwater realms.
Cornell veterinary student Colleen Sorge, DVM '24, speaks with Cornell Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Robin Radcliffe about his career path and his dedication to working with endangered species and training the next generation of One Health, community-focused conservationists.
Robin Radcliffe with falcon
A rhino in the wild
The Cornell Wildlife Health Center continues to enhance synergy among many of Cornell’s wildlife-focused programs, expand student learning opportunities, and capitalize on earnest interdisciplinary approaches to addressing key wildlife conservation and related public health challenges.
Cornell’s Dr. Krysten Schuler and PhD student Jen Grauer discuss their latest project to track and study wild moose, led by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Check out the press release here.
A moose in the wild
Spotlight on Bald Eagles
The bald eagle population has slowly recovered from the impact of the pesticide DDT that nearly drove them to extinction decades ago. But now researchers at the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab have found that lead poisoning from eating carcasses contaminated by lead ammunition continues to hamper the resilience of these American icons. Learn more by exploring these news stories, blogs, and scientific publications!
Cornell Giving Day is this Wednesday, March 16!
Join us in creating a healthier future for wildlife, people and planet.
Cornell Giving Day is an annual event that brings together friends, alumni, faculty, staff, and students to do the greatest good. This is your chance to help support a better world by donating on March 16, signing-up to be a Giving Day Champion and fundraising for wildlife, or spreading the word to friends and family! Let’s make this Cornell Giving Day the best one yet!
Cornell Giving Day Collage with a veterinarian helping a red panda, a wild elephant, a wild tiger, and a squirrel in a cast
Did you know there are many other ways to give?
  • Make a gift of securities, including stocks, bonds, or mutual funds
  • Make a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA 
  • Name us as a beneficiary of your estate or trust
  • Donate through your donor-advised fund
  • Set-up a gift annuity

Please consider supporting the Cornell Wildlife Health Center by giving online or contacting Alison Smith at 607-254-6129 or ars1@cornell.edu. Naming opportunities can also be explored.
The Cornell Wildlife Health Center transforms science into impact through discovery, education, engagement, and policy to ensure a healthy future for wildlife and the environment that supports us all.

To learn more about the Cornell Wildlife Health Center, please contact Dr. Steve Osofsky at s.osofsky@cornell.edu or visit our website.

Let us know if you have any comments on this e-newsletter, and forward to a friend if you find it useful! Thank you for your support.
Cornell Wildlife Health Center | wildlife.cornell.edu | s.osofsky@cornell.edu