Invasive Species that Impact Wildlife Health

In recent decades, non-native pathogens, parasites, and disease vectors have had devastating impacts on native wildlife (e.g., white-nose syndrome has contributed to the decline of hibernating species of native bats). The United States currently lacks a comprehensive authority to effectively prevent, eradicate, and control invasive species that cause or transmit wildlife disease. This has resulted in substantial impacts at species- and ecosystem-levels. In response, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) outlined recommendations to improve inter-agency collaboration to reduce the risk of animal-related diseases. The NISC Secretariat is currently coordinating inter-agency dialogue and a team of non-Federal experts working under the auspices of ISAC to advance the following priority actions called for in the 2016-2018 NISC Management Plan.
 
MP Action 4.3.1: Compile case studies of invasive species impacts on wildlife health in the U.S. and make them available through the NISC website or other public domain.  Address (as feasible): (a) the biology of the organism in native and introduced ranges; (b) locality, date, and pathway of introduction into the United States; (c) documented impacts to wildlife health (including a timeline and economic costs); (d) measures taken to eradicate/control the species and associated Federal costs; and (e) projected needs (including technologies and funding) to eradicate the species from the United States. 

MP Action 4.3.2: Taking into consideration the output of Action 4.3.1, develop guidance that enables Federal agencies to take the necessary action to prevent, eradicate, and control non-native species that harm or have the potential to harm wildlife health within the United States, including its overseas territories.  The recommendation will need to carefully consider the differing, yet complementary, roles of Federal, state, territorial, and tribal agencies in managing non-native species that could impact wildlife health.

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