Department of Fish and Game

Wildlife Investigations Laboratory

The mission of the Wildlife Investigations Lab (WIL) is to investigate, monitor and manage population health issues in California's wildlife. The Wildlife Investigations Lab provides expertise, service, training and resources to assist Department personnel in assessing wildlife populations, wildlife mortality response, biological sampling, wildlife captures, wildlife rehabilitation, study design, and analyses.

DFG's Wildlife Investigations Lab of the California Department of Fish and Game was established in 1941, and is mandated by Fish and Game Code Section 1008 to conduct wildlife disease investigations. Over the years, WIL's responsibilities have increased to include the statewide investigation of all wildlife mortality events, studies and surveillance of diseases (enzootic and epizootic), wildlife health and condition monitoring, prevention of zoonotic diseases, wildlife rehabilitation, injured and nuisance wildlife, safety training, and investigations of public safety wildlife such as mountain lions, black bears, coyotes, large exotic carnivores and deer.

Wildlife Investigations Lab responsibilities include: