OIE/IUCN Guidelines for Working with Free-Ranging Wild Mammals in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic

These recommendations are for people engaged in wildlife work in the field, either in direct contact (e.g. handling) or indirect contact (e.g. within 2 meters or in a confined space) with free-ranging wild mammals, or working in situations in which free-ranging wild mammals may come in contact with surfaces or materials contaminated by infected personnel.

CDC’s Interim Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Testing in North American Wildlife

Who this guidance is for: Veterinarians, biologists, and wildlife health specialists who work with free-living wildlife and who may be investigating wildlife morbidity or mortality events or managing the health of free-living wildlife populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: To facilitate decision-making regarding the testing of wildlife for SARS-CoV-2

“Despite concerns about human-to-wildlife transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, routine testing for the virus in free-living or captive North American wildlife species is not currently recommended. However, there may be situations in which testing should be considered. This information may be useful for improving understanding of the epidemiology of the virus in wildlife populations and in applying necessary management actions. These recommendations do not apply to non-domestic species in human care (e.g., zoological facilities) except when free-living wildlife are temporarily in human care for research or rehabilitation.

Before testing sick or dead wildlife for SARS-CoV-2, more common causes of morbidity and mortality should be ruled out, unless there is cause for suspicion of previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2.”

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Fish and Wildlife Health Committee Statement: COVID-19 and North American Species of Mustelidae, Felidae, and Canidae

The statement discusses potential transmission risk scenarios and risk mitigation strategies

International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council & National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Joint Statement on COVID-19 Considerations for Wildlife Rehabilitation

“NWRA and IWRC take the position that taxa-specific protocols, based on scientific evidence and region-specific risk assessments, should serve as the basis for an informed approach to managing the risk of disease spread and for formulating any restrictions on wildlife rehabilitation.”

Non Human Primate COVID-19 Information Hub

“This site is being designed in real time as a resource for those working at the human – non human primate interface.  The goal is to create a Community of Practice, connecting relevant facts, experts and resources from several professional communities (human health, captive, sanctuary, and in situ conservation ‘facilities’ and sites) to assist with response and management of the 2020 SARS CoV2 viral outbreak or COVID-19 disease.”