Studying How Plague Vaccine Affects Prairie Ecosystems
The aim of this study is to determine whether distributing the oral sylvatic plague vaccine to prairie dogs has protective and other effects on small rodents that live in and around prairie dog colonies.
Identifying How Plague Affects Prairie Dogs and Black-Footed Ferrets
Researchers will use genetic analyses to examine the relationships among rodents, fleas and plague bacteria as a way to further characterize how plague is perpetuated in wild animal reservoirs in the United States. Data generated by this study will be used to direct targeted management strategies of affected wild animal populations.
Determining Ranavirus Susceptiblity in Endangered Gopher Frogs
Researchers will test the susceptibility of the most endangered frog in North America to the emerging pathogen ranavirus.
Evaluating the Effects of a Rodent Eradication Project in the Galápagos Islands
This study investigates how broad-scale use of an anticoagulant rodenticide during an island rodent eradication project has affected the food web.
Understanding Infertility Factors in African Elephants
This study investigates whether obesity is a problem for African elephants in zoos, and if the condition is related to the high prevalence of ovarian acyclicity, which causes infertility, observed in this species.
Using Stem-Cell Therapy to Treat Facial Cancer in Tasmanian Devils
The aim of this research is to use stem-cell therapy to eradicate tumor cells from Tasmanian devils suffering from devil facial tumor disease.
Identifying How a New Tuberculosis Strain Is Transmitted Among Species
Researchers will investigate the epidemiology and control of a newly emerging strain of tuberculosis that is infecting and killing banded mongoose living in community and wildlife areas in Northern Botswana.
Determining How Water Pollutants Affect Xenopus Frogs
This study investigates how exposure to waterborne environmental pollutants in amphibians affects the development of protective immune defenses against a viral pathogen.
Developing a Surveillance Tool for Tuberculosis in Deer
This study is working to identify and develop noninvasive diagnostic markers for bovine tuberculosis surveillance in deer.