Wildlife

Cuddly Koalas Under Threat From Dual Diseases

Morris Animal Foundation funded-researchers in Australia are racing to understand the debilitating and sometimes deadly interaction between koala retrovirus (KoRV) and chlamydia infection as koalas continue to be pushed toward extinction.

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Our health study database, searchable by species or area of study, houses our funded research that is making a difference in the lives of animals across the globe.

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Veterinary Advances for Wildlife

Since 1965, we have invested $24 million in more than 600 wildlife health studies. We’ve contributed to improved reproduction strategies for endangered species, identified the impact of environmental toxins on wildlife, and established in-the-field medical care for the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. We also fight wildlife health crises, with support from our Betty White Wildlife Rapid Response Fund.

Pneumonia Breakthrough for Bighorn Sheep

Infectious pneumonia is responsible for the dramatic decline of bighorn sheep in western North America. Researchers discovered that older herd members remained persistently infected, leading to infection and death in lambs. The team also developed disease models to test new prevention strategies; one strategy is showing improvements in lamb survival and may lead to a management solution that helps infected herds.

Ultrasound for Dolphins

Bottlenose dolphins are susceptible to metabolic syndrome and associated complications that affect the liver, including fatty liver disease and iron overload. Researchers established an in-water ultrasound technique for diagnosis and noninvasive evaluation of the dolphin liver, as well as identified ultrasound changes associated with these diseases.

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