Leading national action on wildlife health to protect and enhance the natural environment, biodiversity, economy and animal and human health.
Wildlife Health Australia (WHA) is the independent coordinating body for wildlife health in Australia. It provides leadership through strong partnerships for national action supporting wildlife health.
The health of Australia’s wildlife, animals in agriculture, domestic animals and its human population are all fundamentally linked. Many diseases that can affect humans and livestock often emerge in wildlife, and they are increasing. Effective surveillance of wildlife health is therefore vital to human health, agriculture, the environment and biodiversity in Australia.
WHA manages the national surveillance program for diseases in wildlife and facilitates investigations into emerging wildlife health issues. It prioritises and delivers vital surveillance information and research to decision-makers in key state, territory and federal agencies to support effective wildlife strategies and preparedness for emergency disease events.
