Working Group on Wildlife

Founded in 1994, this Working Group informs and advises the WOAH on all health problems relating to wild animals, whether in the wild or in captivity. It has prepared recommendations and oversees numerous scientific publications on the surveillance and control of the most important specific wildlife diseases. The Working Group comprises world-leading scientific experts in their subject areas.

Terms of Reference

1. The Working Group reports to the OIE Director General who will transmit the report, or relevant parts of it, to the appropriate Specialist Commissions of OIE.

2. Maintain global perspective and foresight on wildlife health and biodiversity and their interface with animal health and veterinary public health, in particular:

a)    wildlife health and disease issues of importance to the OIE, including emerging diseases, vector borne diseases and zoonosis;
b)    invasive species of potential importance to the OIE through their impacts on biodiversity;
c)    climate change impacts on animal health, wildlife health and biodiversity.

3. Assist the OIE Director General, the Scientific Commission and other OIE Specialist Commissions to assess risks and make risk management recommendations, including the development of OIE Standards and Guidelines, associated with wildlife health and biodiversity.

4. Assist OIE with training of OIE National Focal Points for Wildlife and other efforts to support Member Countries, especially in building or improving their capacity to meet OIE standards and obligations with respect to wildlife health and biodiversity and their interface with animal health and veterinary public health.

5. Assist the OIE to receive, record, and interpret information on wildlife disease, including emerging diseases, vector borne diseases, zoonosis and invasive species occurrence from official sources through WAHIS, and support an international network to provide information from non-official sources.

6. Address specific issues referred to the Working Group by the OIE Director General, which may include matters recommended by Specialist Commissions, Members or the OIE itself.

7. Assist the OIE to communicate and disseminate information about wildlife health and biodiversity, and represent OIE as requested.

8. Assist OIE to incorporate wildlife health and biodiversity issues of importance to the OIE appropriately in its educational and scientific programs and publications.

9. Assist OIE in supporting the activities of Collaborating Centres on wildlife health and biodiversity.

10. Support the OIE in its interactions and collaborations with international organisations working on the animal, human and environmental health interface, and with the wider stakeholder community engaged on these issues.

Mode of Operation for the Working Group on Wildlife

I. The Working Group normally will hold annually one face-to-face mid-year meeting in Paris.

II. The Working Group will meet by teleconference two or more times each year. These teleconferences are open to representatives of the Programmes Department or other relevant Departments of the OIE.

III. The Working Group might use a secured Internet forum, when available, to manage discussion, document reviews and related matters and through which OIE personnel also can access output from the Working Group’s activities.

IV. The Working Group President will maintain additional regular communication with the OIE Prepardness and Resilience Department, and the OIE World Animal Health Information and Analysis Department as appropriate.

V. The Working Group will revise its work plan annually.

VI. The operating language of the Working Group will be English.

December 2021	Wildlife Working Group Report
June 2021	Wildlife Working Group Report
December 2020	Wildlife Working Group Report
March 2020	Adapted Procedure – World Assembly, May 2020
December 2018	87th General Session – World Assembly, 26-31 May 2019
December 2017	86th General Session – World Assembly, 20-25 May 2018
November 2016	85th General Session – World Assembly, 21-26 May 2017
Sept-Oct. 2015	84th General Session – World Assembly, 22-27 May 2016
November 2014	83rd General Session – World Assembly, 24-29 May 2015
November 2013	82nd General Session – World Assembly, 25-30 May 2014
November 2012	81st General Session – World Assembly, 26-31 May 2013
November 2011	80th General Session – World Assembly, 20-25 May 2012
October 2010	79th General Session – World Assembly, 22-27 May 2011
February 2010	78th General Session – World Assembly, 23-28 May 2010
January 2009	77th General Session International Committee, 24-29 May 2009
January 2008	76th General Session International Committee, 25-30 May 2008
February 2007	75th General Session International Committee, 20-25 May 2007
February 2006	74th General Session International Committee, 21-26 May 2006
February 2005	73rd General Session International Committee, 22-27 May 2005
February 2004	72nd General Session International Committee, 23-28 May 2004
February 2003	71st General Session International Committee, 18-23 May 2003
February 2002	70th General Session International Committee, 26-31 May 2002
March 2001	69th General Session International Committee, 27 May-1 june 2001
April 2000	68th General Session International Committee, 21-26 May 2000