Approach
Some wildlife species face immediate and dire challenges from diseases, and future climate conditions may promote new diseases or intensify disease transmission among wildlife (Smith et al. 2009). Managers may be able to take action to reduce the effects of disease, such as vaccination campaigns, limiting transmission opportunities, and boosting natural immunity (Walker et al. 2008).
Tactics
- Vaccinate vulnerable individuals or populations against disease, such as vaccinating prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets against the plague bacterium.
- Partner with research labs to increase capacity for surveillance, outreach, and management of diseases.
- Limit interspecific interactions that can spread disease, such as increasing hunting to reduce white-tailed deer in remnant moose habitats to protect moose from brainworm typically carried by white-tailed deer.
- Protect individuals that exhibit natural immunity and resistance, such as bats that appear immune to White-Nose Syndrome.
Strategy Text
Wildlife species succeed or struggle based on numerous interactions with other species, including other animals that may be predators, prey, or competitors; plants that may be sources of food or cover; and other organisms such as those that cause disease. This Strategy contains a variety of considerations for managing the web of interactions that may influence how a species is able to tolerate continued climate change.
Citation
LeDee, O.E., Handler, S.D., Hoving, C.L., Swanston, C.W. and Zuckerberg, B. 2021. Preparing Wildlife for Climate Change: How Far Have We Come? Jour. Wild. Mgmt., 85: 7-16. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21969