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Cornell University

Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center
for Wildlife Health

News

September 2024

Two subadult Bald Eagles scavenging along the river's edge by Christine Bogdanowicz.
NYSDEC
Department of Environmental Conservation
NY Department of Environmental Conservation
Bald Eagles
Bald Eagle
Lead Poisoning
Lead Toxicity
Lead Ammunition
Lead-related Mortality
Hunting
Hunters
Hunter Education
Animal Health Diagnostic Center
Scavenger
Scavenging
Bioindicator
Eastern Ecological Science Center
Non-lead Ammunition

Bald Eagles Face Highest Lead Risk of NYS Deer Scavengers

September 23, 2024
A new study from Cornell researchers finds that among more than 30 species of birds and mammals known to scavenge deer carcasses in New York state, bald eagles are the most vulnerable to lead poisoning from hunters’ ammunition and best bioindicator for ongoing monitoring of the hazard.
Lab photo by John Enright/CVM Animal Health Centers.
Department of Public and Ecosystem Health
Cornell Feline Health Center
Baker Institute for Animal Health
Free-roaming Cats
Wild Cats
Feline Coronavirus
Next-Generation Sequencing
Wild Felids
FCoV

Study Proves Transfer of Feline Coronavirus Between Domestic and Wild Cats

September 19, 2024
A new study from Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine researchers finds the first genetic evidence of feline coronavirus transmission between a captive wild and a domestic cat.
A portrait of Dr. Carmen Smith standing in the atrium of the CVM.

Announcement

Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health Announces First Postdoctoral Wildlife Health Fellowship Awardee

September 17, 2024
After an international search, Carmen R. Smith ’17, DVM ’21, has been selected as the inaugural Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health Free-Ranging Wildlife Pathology Fellow, who will focus on unraveling the causes and conditions responsible for unexplained wildlife mortality events around the world.
Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health Free-Ranging Wildlife Pathology Fellow
Wildlife Pathology
Pathology
Disease Outbreak
Wildlife Mass Mortality
Disease Surveillance
Bronx Zoo
Wildlife Conservation Society
A close-up of a Bald Eagle.
Non-lead Ammunition
Bald Eagles
Bald Eagle
Eagle
NYSDEC
Department of Environmental Conservation
NY Department of Environmental Conservation
Envrironmental Conservation
Lead Poisoning
Lead Toxicity
Lead Ammunition
Hunter Education
White-Tailed Deer
Deer Hunting Season
Lead-related Mortality

DEC Expands Study on Non-lead Ammo for Deer Hunting to All of NYS

September 14, 2024
New York state is expanding a multi-year study of how increased use of non-lead ammunition for deer hunting can improve the survival of bald and golden eagles.
A portrait of Rachel Abbott sitting at her desk.

Blog

August: A Day in the Life of Rachel Abbott, Research Veterinarian

September 11, 2024
I typically start my day by doing the NY Times puzzles to warm up my brain as I eat my breakfast. Then I head over to my desk by the window or into my office on campus to solve puzzles associated with wildlife health. My training in veterinary medicine and epidemiology and my eye for detail allow me to do a variety of tasks....
Epidemiology
Wildlife Epidemiology
CWD Data Warehouse
CWD
Chronic Wasting Disease
Brucellosis in Wildlife
Pathogens
Toxins
Zoonotic Disease
Zoonotic Spillover
Zoonotic Pathogen
Wildlife Disease
Education
Education and Outreach
A close-up portrait of a mountain lion.
Mountain Lion
Puma
Wildlife Health
Wildlife Disease
Staggering Disease
Cougar
Cougars
Mountain Lions
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Emerging Infectious Disease
Fatal Neurologic Syndrome
Wildlife Pathology
Rustrella Virus
Dead End Host

A Deadly Disease That Affects Cats Big and Small Found in U.S. [National Geographic]

September 06, 2024
A cougar in Colorado was found to be infected with a fatal neurologic syndrome called staggering disease. This is the first confirmed case of the disease in North America among wildlife or domestic animals. Cornell's Dr. Elizabeth Buckles comments on the implications of this diagnosis.
A red fox shown in a forest setting.
CWD
Chronic Wasting Disease
Zoonotic Pathogen
Zoonotic Disease
Zoonotic Spillover
Wildlife Health
New York’s Wildlife Health Program
Wildlife Disease Ecology
Disease Ecology
Avian Flu
Avian Influenza
Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus
Public Health
West Nile Virus

The Veterinarians Preventing the Next Pandemic [The New Yorker]

September 03, 2024
Diseases cross over from animals to people very rarely, with less than a tenth of one per cent of animal viruses ever successfully making the leap. And yet from another perspective the crossovers are common, with more than two-thirds of emerging diseases in humans having animal origins. Cornell's Dr. Beth Bunting weighs in on these zoonotic diseases.