**USGS -- National Wildlife Health Center**

![](media/image1.wmf){width="1.55625in"
height="1.0243055555555556in"}**INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTION AND SHIPMENT
OF AVIAN AND MAMMALIAN CARCASSES**

**Contact your USGS Field Investigation Team (FIT) member first!**

**Eastern states -- Dr. Anne Ballmann <aballman@usgs.gov> 608-270-2445**

![](media/image2.wmf){width="0.4152777777777778in"
height="0.2361111111111111in"}**Western states -- Dr. Krysten Schuler
<kschuler@usgs.gov> 608-270-2447**

![](media/image3.wmf){width="0.2125in"
height="8.263888888888889e-2in"}**Emergency Contact Number
608-270-2400**

The following instructions should be used for collecting and shipping
wildlife carcasses, carcass parts, and samples extracted from animals to
the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) to insure adequate and well
preserved specimens.

Freezing/thawing impedes isolation of some pathogens and damages
tissues. NWHC prefers unfrozen specimens if they can be sent within
24-36 hours of collection or death. We will provide guidance on freezing
samples on a case-by-case basis. As a general guideline: if you cannot
call or ship within 24-36 hours, freeze the animal(s).

-   Contact FIT to get shipping approval and discuss shipping
    arrangements. Typically, ship specimens by 1-day (overnight)
    service, Monday through Wednesday, to guarantee arrival at NWHC
    before the weekend. If specimens are fresh and need to be shipped on
    Thursday or Friday, special arrangements can be made.

-   Email/fax history and tracking number to FIT. Packages will not be
    opened if history does not arrive first!

    -   Use rubber, vinyl, or nitrile gloves when picking up sick or
        dead animals. If you do not have gloves, insert your hand into a
        plastic bag.

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-   More than one disease may be affecting the population
    simultaneously. When possible, collect both sick and dead animals.
    Note behavior of sick animals before euthanizing.

-   Collect specimens that are representative of all species affected
    and geographic areas.

-   Collect the freshest dead specimens. Decomposed or scavenged
    carcasses are usually of limited diagnostic value. If you plan to
    collect animals in the field, take along a cooler containing ice to
    immediately chill carcasses.

-   Contact NWHC for assistance when collecting samples from animals
    that are too large to ship.

-   Collect animals under the assumption that an infectious disease or
    toxin is involved and other animals may be at risk. Protect yourself
    as some diseases and toxins are hazardous to humans.

![](media/image4.png){width="2.5833333333333335in"
height="1.1041666666666667in"}

-   Immediately attach a leg tag to each animal with the following
    information in pencil or waterproof ink:

\- Date collected - Species

\- Location (specific site, town, county, state) -Found dead or
euthanized

\- Collector (name/address/phone) -Your reference \#

-   Place each animal in a plastic bag, close, and seal the bag. Cover
    zipper bag closure with strapping or duct tape after sealing zipper.

Twist non-zipper bags closed, fold over on itself, and secure with
package strapping or duct tape.

-   ![](media/image5.png){width="1.8798611111111112in"
    height="1.375in"}Place 1^st^ bag inside a 2^nd^ bag, close and seal.
    More than one individually bagged animal can be placed in the 2^nd^
    bag. This prevents cross-contamination of individual specimens and
    leaking shipping containers.

-   Tag the outside of 2^nd^ bag and number of animals and type, date
    collected, location, and name of collector. Reminder order: TAG,
    BAG, BAG, TAG.

-   Use a hard-sided cooler in good condition for shipment. Close the
    drain plug of cooler and tape over inside. Line cooler with a thick
    bag (1 mil thickness, 3^rd^ layer of bags).

-   Place absorbent material in the 3^rd^ plastic bag to absorb any
    liquids that might leak during shipping.

> [See appendix for examples of bags and absorbent
> materials]{.underline}.

-   Pack the individually bagged animal(s) that are contained within the
    2^nd^ sealed bag into the 3^rd^ bag with enough FROZEN BLUE ICE
    PACKS or similar coolant to keep carcasses cold. Use enough coolant
    to keep samples chilled if there is a delay in delivery.

    -   Blue ice (unfrozen) can be obtained at hardware, sporting goods,
        or grocery stores.

    -   Wet ice can be used if frozen in a sealed plastic container
        (i.e., soda or water bottle).

    -   DO NOT USE DRY ICE.

-   Seal the 3^rd^ bag with methods described for 1^st^ bag.

-   Place the completed specimen history and return shipping label in a
    ziplock bag and tape to the inside lid of the cooler (if you want
    the cooler returned). NWHC CANNOT PAY FOR SHIPPING.

-   Using packing or duct tape, tape the cooler shut around the lid and
    at each end using a continuous wrap around the cooler.

-   Attach the shipping document (airbill) with the DOT information
    below to the outside of each cooler in a resealable
    pouch:![](media/image6.png){width="1.7520833333333334in"
    height="1.4895833333333333in"}

Address:

> **National Wildlife Health Center**
>
> **Necropsy Loading Dock**
>
> **6006 Schroeder Road**
>
> **Madison, WI 53711**

Emergency Contact:![](media/image7.png){width="1.875in"
height="1.7708333333333333in"}

**NWHC FIT emergency**

> **608-270-2400**

Supplementary Labels**:**

**Keep Cold**

-   Mark the cooler with the appropriate information:

> (See Pg. 3 for printable marking labels)

-   [Carcasses]{.underline} of animals that died of [unknown
    causes]{.underline}:

**BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B** and **UN 3373.**

-   [Blood and tissue samples]{.underline} from apparently [healthy
    animals]{.underline} (hunter-killed, live captured):

**EXEMPT ANIMAL SPECIMENS**.

-   [Blood and tissue samples]{.underline} from [dead or
    sick]{.underline} animals:

**BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B** and **UN 3373**.

.

-   Note the tracking number in case packages are delayed.

-   These instructions cover federal shipping regulations for commercial
    carriers.

**Appendix:**

Example of bags available at large supermarkets (list not all
inclusive):

Inner and second layer bags:

Hefty Big Bag -- 22 gal Ziplock Freezer -- 1 gallon

Hefty Freezer -- 1 gal Ziplock Big Bag -- 20 gallon

Hefty Jumbo -- 2.5 gal Glad Freezer -- 1 qt, 2 qt, 1 gal

Third layer for cooler liner:

Hefty Cinch Sak (1.1 mil) -- 33 and 39 gal Glad Force Flex (1.05 mil) --
25 gal

Hefty Lawn and Leaf (1.1 mil) -- 33 and 39 gal Hefty Ultra Flex (1.3
mil) -- 30 gal

House brand large trash (1.1 mil) -- 30 gal House Lawn - Leaf (1.2 mil)
-- 39 gal

Absorbent material:

Super absorbent packet or pads for water Cellulose wadding

Paper towels Cotton batting or cotton balls

Do not use packing peanuts or shredded paper.

> ![](media/image8.png){width="1.0416666666666666e-2in"
> height="1.0416666666666666e-2in"}
> ![](media/image8.png){width="1.0416666666666666e-2in"
> height="1.0416666666666666e-2in"}![](media/image9.png){width="1.0416666666666666e-2in"
> height="1.0416666666666666e-2in"}

**BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCES, CATEGORY B**

EXEMPT ANIMAL

SPECIMENS