A multidisciplinary approach to defining wildlife health: biological, ecological, and social determinants of the health of wildlife populations in the National Park System

National parks play an important role in natural resource conservation; however, it is uncertain how these activities are perceived to relate to wildlife health. The objective of this project is to explore the definition, importance, and determinants of wildlife health in national parks. This information is foundational to understanding the relevance and value of healthy wildlife and national parks to the American public and can be used to inform education, outreach, collaboration, and management activities. This project serves a public purpose by supporting development of theory and knowledge that will benefit the NPS and the broader scientific community; researchers external to NPS will gain from new knowledge provided through this research and related results dissemination.