FOREWORD

     Diseases and parasites of wildlife have stimulated the interest of hunters for many years, and now of naturalists, students, scientists, medical practitioners, veterinarians, farmers and all members of the public who contact wild animals.

Much of this interest has been stimulated by the knowledge that has been gradually accumulated in government agencies, such as the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the universities throughout North America.  It has also resulted from the publication in December 1964 of the manual by Dr. Audrey Fyvie of the Research Branch of the former Department of Lands and Forests, whose work is recognized all over the world.

The requests for Dr. Fyvie's first edition required a second printing in 1969, and the continuing use by personnel within the Ministry in Ontario and wildlife workers across the continent has made a second edition necessary.  The publication used in the field and laboratory is becoming a "text book" on the subject.

It gives me considerable pleasure in being part of the process which stimulated this edition, and I hope that it augurs well for a further one within the next five years.  The objective of the original publication was to gain awareness of the host and geographic distribution of parasites and diseases in wildlife of Ontario.  The participation of field personnel resulted in this objective being realized.  From 1965 to 1972, field staff reported more than 2,100 cases of diseases and parasites by use of the field report forms within the manual.

This second edition, in preparation over the past three years by Dr. Edward M. Addison, includes sections on additional parasites and diseases, and recent advances in our knowledge of the biology of parasites and diseases described in the previous edition.

J. Douglas Roseborough, Director

Wildlife Branch