Practical application of disease risk analysis for reintroducing gray wolves (Canis lupus) to Isle Royale National Park, USA

Evaluation of disease risks associated with wildlife translocations is important for minimizing unintended harm and achieving conservation goals. A framework for disease risk analysis (DRA) has been developed by the World Organization for Animal Health and International Union for Conservation of Nature, but applications for planning and implementation in wildlife conservation projects are limited. To fill this gap, we describe a DRA we conducted to identify, assess, and mitigate disease risks associated with reintroduction of gray wolves (Canis lupus) to Isle Royale National Park (IRNP). A total of 19 wolves were translocated from multiple locations within the Great Lakes Region to IRNP between September 2018 and September 2019. Integration of the DRA into project planning and use of diverse expertise among project personnel enabled a timely and cost-effective process that facilitated multidisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration, transparent communication about risks and uncertainties, and practical management of disease risks for wildlife and personnel. Engaging disease experts and experienced field biologists in the assessment also helped to identify and account for potential sources of bias. We hope practical examples like this encourage wider adoption of DRA principles in translocations of wildlife for conservation purposes.