Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics
For a small state, New Jersey boasts some 450 different species of terrestrial wildlife. Along with this species richness there is an incredible diversity of microbes, including parasites, viruses, and bacteria, that infect them.
Diseases in wildlife are often multifactorial and generally species specific. The wildlife pathology unit is a component of the Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics dedicated to understanding and responding to disease problems in New Jersey’s wildlife populations. Through disease surveillance and research, we study and respond to wildlife diseases throughout the state.
Ongoing research is directed towards understanding the health of terrestrial wildlife throughout the state, as well as the impacts from environmental changes due to climate change. Use the provided links to learn more about the ongoing research and surveillance occurring in our lab.
Wildlife health concerns should be reported immediately to the 24/7 DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).
Deer Disease
SIGHTING FORM
Wildlife Health Staff
The Clinton Pathology Lab, located in the Clinton Wildlife Management Area, is within Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics.


Laboratory Resources
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Wildlife Disease Fact Sheets
- Reporting Dead or Sick Wildlife (pdf, 100kb)
- Disease Fact Sheets (Wildlife Futures Program)
- Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in New Jersey
- Guidance to Reduce the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Spreading Between People and Wildlife (CDC site)
- Mosquito Control and West Nile Virus Information
- West Nile Virus (WNV) Information (NJ Dept. of Health)
- Bird Flu Information