Disease emergence and resurgence has reached unprecedented importance for the sustainability of desired population levels for many wildlife populations and for the long-term survival of some species. In response, Yellowstone National Park, Montana State University (MSU) and the Wildlife Health Center in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis have established a partnership to develop the Yellowstone Wildlife Health Program (YWHP). The goal of this effort is to create a long-term collaborative program focused on understanding and addressing priority wildlife disease and ecosystem health problems in Yellowstone National Park.

Core objectives of the YWHP are to:

1. Restore and preserve healthy wildlife and ecosystems;
2. Apply superior science to solve problems;
3. Balance the needs of people and wildlife; and
4. Train the next generation of ecosystem health leaders in the unique educational context of Yellowstone National Park.