United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Miscellaneous Publication No. 1544 

National Wildlife Research Center

Providing Innovative Solutions to 

Human-Wildlife Confl icts 

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The NWRC headquarters and field stations include 

unique, state-of-the-art facilities for conducting wildlife 

research, including chemistry and disease laboratories, a wide range of outdoor animal holding pens, 

tropical- and temperate-simulated natural environments, and a biosafety-level 3 suite. These facilities 

give scientists a unique opportunity to study traditional 

laboratory animals and many wildlife species in both 

laboratory and semi-natural settings. Scientists can 

also test, evaluate, and modify new tools and techniques in-house before conducting fi eld studies. 

All animals housed at the NWRC and its fi eld stations 

are cared for by the Center’s specially trained team of 

wildlife veterinarians and animal care technicians. The 

NWRC complies with all Animal Welfare Act regulations and standards and is committed to the safe and 

humane treatment and handling of research animals.

Cooperative Activities

NWRC scientists work closely with APHIS Wildlife Services field personnel to develop and transfer methods 

for managing or mitigating wildlife damage. NWRC 

also works with a variety of collaborators, partners, and 

stakeholders, including other Federal, State, and local 

For More Information

For additional information on the NWRC, contact:

Director, NWRC

USDA–APHIS Wildlife Services

4101 LaPorte Avenue

Fort Collins, CO 80521

Phone: (970) 266–6000 

FAX: (970) 266–6010 

www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national 

origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, 

familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic 

information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an 

individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. 

(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of 

program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should 

contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of 

Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 

20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382

(TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Revised February 2010

www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc

Bismarck

Corvallis

Kingsville

I-25

287

Cheynne WY

Denver CO

Hwy Hwy 

✈

Christman

Field LaPorte Ave.

Mulberry St. 

Prospect St. 

Harmony Rd.

College Ave.

Taft Hill Rd.

Overland Trail

NWRC

Atmospheric

Science

CSU Solar

Village

CIRA

National Wildlife Research Center

4101 LaPorte Ave.

Fort Collins, CO 80521-2154

(970) 266-6000

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/

14

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History and Organization 

The NWRC was established in 1940 as part of the U.S. 

Bureau of Biological Survey, the forerunner of the U.S. 

Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service. 

In 1986, the Center was transferred to USDA and today 

is part of the APHIS Wildlife Services program.

NWRC employs more than 160 scientists, technicians, 

and support personnel at its 43-acre headquarters 

campus in Fort Collins, CO, and at field stations around 

the country. NWRC scientists have expertise in a wide 

range of fields, including: 

■ analytical chemistry ■ pesticide registration

■ animal behavior ■ reproductive physiology

■ chemistry ■ sensory biology

■ ecology ■ statistics

■ economics ■ toxicology

■ epidemiology ■ veterinary medicine

■ genetics ■ virology

■ immunology ■ wildlife biology

■ information transfer ■ wildlife diseases

■ molecular biology

government entities; Tribal nations; foreign governments; industry groups; scientific and professional 

societies; environmental and animal welfare organizations; U.S. animal and public health laboratories; 

and the general public. To extend its capabilities for 

research and training, the Center also establishes a 

number of formal or informal cooperative programs 

with universities, State and Federal agencies, international organizations, and stakeholders. 

NWRC researcher suited up in BSL-3 lab to test Nobuto® strips for 

detecting West Nile virus in red-winged blackbirds. (USDA-APHISNWRC) 

NWRC develops methods for reducing damage by invasive species 

such as the brown treesnake. (USGS, Gordon H. Rodda) 

NWRC field station locations

Directions to NWRC

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Introduction

Wildlife Services—a program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS)—provides Federal leadership and expertise to resolve wildlife confl icts that 

threaten public health and safety, natural resources, 

and agriculture. The National Wildlife Research Center 

(NWRC), the research arm of APHIS Wildlife Services, 

is one of the world’s only research facilities devoted 

entirely to the development of methods for effective 

wildlife damage management.

Through its headquarters in Fort Collins, CO, and 

several field stations across the country, the NWRC 

applies scientific expertise to resolve human-wildlife 

conflicts while maintaining the quality of the environment we share. NWRC scientists develop methods and 

information to address conflicts involving a range of 

issues, including agriculture, human health and safety, 

property damage, invasive species, and threatened 

and endangered species. The Center is committed to 

providing innovative solutions that create a balance 

between people and wildlife and better enable us 

to coexist. 

Barriers and other tools are being tested to prevent the spread 

of diseases between wild and domestic ungulates. (USDA, Kurt 

Vercauteren) 

1

Identifying Problems, Finding Solutions

Wildlife is an important public resource highly valued 

by the American people. By its very nature, however, 

wildlife is dynamic and mobile—and can damage agricultural and environmental resources and pose risks to 

human safety and health. Deer and smaller mammals 

can consume newly planted tree seedlings and other 

crops. Large flocks of birds can devastate grain and 

sunflower fields. Coyotes and other predators can attack livestock, domestic animals, pets, and sometimes 

people. Wild animals can also spread disease, such 

as rabies, West Nile virus, chronic wasting disease, 

and bovine tuberculosis. Invasive wildlife species often 

destroy native habitats and decimate endangered or 

threatened species. And birds and other animals can 

collide with aircraft at takeoff or landing, creating a 

serious threat for aviation safety. 

NWRC evaluates wildlife damage situations and develops methods and tools to reduce or eliminate damage 

and resolve conflicts. NWRC scientists study birds, 

mammals, invasive species, and other wildlife that 

cause serious but localized damage problems. 

The Center’s scientists conduct research to ensure 

that the methods developed are biologically sound, 

effective, safe, economical, and socially responsible. 

Approximately 75 percent of the Center’s research 

budget is devoted to the development of nonlethal tools 

and techniques. 

NWRC scientists are studying 

cormorant movements, breeding 

ecology, and damage to aquaculture. (FWS, Lee Karney)

The Center relies on the services of people with additional scientific specialties through extensive cooperative ties with universities, not-for-profit research 

organizations, and other public and private research 

entities. The NWRC has achieved an integrated, multidisciplinary research agenda that is uniquely suited to 

provide scientific information and solutions to wildlife 

damage problems. NWRC research is organized under 

four broad categories: 

■ Agriculture and Resource Protection—

Focuses on reducing wildlife damage to crops, 

aquaculture, timber resources, natural resources, 

livestock, and property; examines the ecology, 

behavior, and management of birds and mammals; 

and develops methods to mitigate wildlife-aviation 

strike hazards. 

■ Invasive Species—Develops methods for 

reducing damage by invasive vertebrate 

species to native wildlife and ecosystems. 

■ Wildlife Disease—Explores ways to reduce the 

spread and transmission of disease agents from 

wildlife to humans and domestic animals; develops 

disease diagnostic methods; develops methods and 

strategies to monitor wildlife pathogens and prevent 

and control wildlife diseases; assesses risks to agriculture and human health and safety; and assists 

Wildlife Services operations with surveillance and 

monitoring. 

■ Technology Development—Promotes technological development in areas related to pesticide registration, formulation chemistry, chemical analysis, 

benefit-cost analysis, and wildlife contraceptives. 

The NWRC also has a number of support units, including pesticide and drug registration, analytical chemistry, animal care, administration, information transfer, 

archives, quality assurance, facility development, and 

legislative and public affairs. 

Research Activities

The NWRC is recognized nationally and internationally 

for its excellence and leadership in resolving humanwildlife conflicts. With the diverse scientific expertise of 

its staff and collaborators, NWRC assembles teams to 

find innovative, cutting-edge solutions to wildlife damage issues. The Center is currently researching a wide 

range of topics, including:

■ Strategies to manage blackbird damage to 

agricultural crops in the United States,

■ Immunocontraceptive vaccines for the 

management of locally overabundant wildlife, 

■ New techniques to manage predation by wild 

animals on endangered and threatened wildlife, as 

well as domestic animals,

■ Techniques to reduce mammal damage to 

forest resources,

■ Integrated pest management strategies 

to reduce rodent damage to crops 

and rangeland,

■ Tools and strategies to reduce bird predation at 

aquaculture facilities,

■ Registration of chemicals and drugs for use as 

wildlife damage management agents,

■ Taste and olfaction in selected wildlife species 

and nonlethal chemical repellants for birds 

and mammals,

■ Techniques to reduce wildlife hazards 

to aviation,

■ Methods to manage invasive species that 

threaten native ecosystems and agricultural crops, 

and

■ The role of wildlife in transmitting diseases 

to livestock, wildlife, and humans, along 

with techniques to prevent the spread of 

these diseases.

Values and Guiding Principles 

In its efforts to help America manage its wildlife 

resources wisely and effectively, NWRC is 

committed to the following values and principles:

■ Conducting high-quality research

■ Responding to stakeholder needs

■ Maintaining excellent standards of 

animal welfare

■ Providing information and technology transfer

■ Collaborating with numerous and 

diverse partners

■ Promoting personal and institutional integrity

■ Valuing and investing in workforce diversity 

■ Providing for the welfare of the Center’s workforce

Red-winged blackbirds cause signifi cant damage to sunfl ower 

fi elds in the northern Great Plains. (USDA, John Cummings) 

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