WDA CANUSA

The Wildlife Disease Association Canada/USA Chapter (WDA CANUSA) is a professional community dedicated to understanding, preventing, and managing diseases in wildlife populations across North America. We bring together researchers, veterinarians, wildlife managers, and students to share knowledge, advance science, and promote wildlife health. Through collaboration, education, and outreach, WDA CANUSA strives to protect ecosystems, support biodiversity, and ensure the well-being of wildlife for future generations.

In March 1951, a group of 28 U.S. and Canadian scientists gathered at the North American Wildlife Conference in Milwaukee to launch what was then the Wildlife Disease Committee. Their aim was to create a dedicated forum for the study of diseases in wild animals, a subject that was previously scattered across various disciplines.

In 1952, the Committee formally adopted the name Wildlife Disease Association, reflecting its evolution into a fully‑fledged scientific society devoted to wildlife health, conservation, and the interconnectedness of wildlife, humans, and domestic animals.

Over the decades, the WDA has expanded far beyond its North American roots, establishing geographic sections worldwide. It continues to serve the Canada‑USA region as part of its broader mission.

Within the Canada/USA domain, the CANUSA student chapter of the WDA was established in 2023 to enhance networking and engagement among university and non‑university students throughout Canada, the U.S. (including territories), and neighboring regions.

Over its 70+ years, the WDA and its regional efforts, such as CANUSA, have played a pivotal role in bringing together wildlife biologists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists, connecting them with students through annual conferences and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration in wildlife health.