Wildlife Protocol Resources

Amphibians and Reptiles

• Guidelines for the Use of Live Amphibians and Reptiles in Field and Laboratory Research (Herpetological Animal Care and Use Committee of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, 2004) 

• Chytrid decontamination (USFS, 2017) pages 26–27
• Pathogen surveillance in herpetofaunal populations (Gray et al., 2017, Herpetological Review) via Gray's website
• Toe clipping of amphibians and reptiles (Perry et al., 2011, Journal of Herpetology)

Birds

• Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research (The Ornithological Council, Third Edition, 2010; updated references in 2023, called the 4th edition)

Recent publication

• Comparison of intraosseous pentobarbital administration and thoracic compression for euthanasia of anesthetized sparrows (Passer domesticus) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris; Murphy et al., 2017, Amer J Vet Res)

Fish

• Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research (American Fisheries Society, 2014)

• Ten practical realities for institutional animal care and use committees when evaluating protocols dealing with fish in the field (Cooke, et al., 2016, Rev Fish Biol Fisheries)

Mammals

• Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists (Sikes and the Animal Care and Use Committee of the American Society of Mammalogists, 2016, Journal of Mammalogy)

Recent publications

• Best practice guidelines for cetacean tagging (Andrews et al. 2019, J. Cetacean Res. Manage.)
• Best practice recommendations for the use of external telemetry devices on pinnipeds (Horning et al. 2019, Animal Biotelemetry)
• Best practice recommendations for the use of fully implanted telemetry devices in pinnipeds (Horning et al. 2017, Animal Biotelemetry)
• Development of compact system for field euthanasia of small mammals (Ellis, 2017, Journal of Mammalogy)
• Updated guidelines for protection of mammologists and wildlife researchers from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS; Kelt et al., 2010, Journal of Mammalogy)

General 

• Appropriate standards for wildlife research (Sikes et al., 2012, BioScience)
• CDC/NIOSH
• UC Field Operations Training Manual
• Fundamental differences between wildlife and biomedical research paper (Sikes and Paul, 2013, ILAR Journal)
• National Park Service - Safe Practices to Avoid Zoonotic Disease from Wildlife Quick Reference Guide
• OLAW Webinar—Field Euthanasia Methods for Wildlife - March 29, 2018
• UCSC EH&S zoonotic diseases fact sheets—species specific
• USDA Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations
• USGS National Wildlife Health Center
• Wildlife Disease Association
• Wildlife Health Australia - National Wildlife Biosecurity Guidelines
• Wildlife Researchers Running the Permit Maze (Paul and Sikes, 2013, ILAR Journal)