The Wildlife Ecopathology Service (SEFaS, for its acronym in Spanish) is a service of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) focused on supporting teaching, management and basic and applied research in handling, ecology and pathology of wildlife.
SEFaS services
We assess the health status of wild animals and their populations. Our mission is to conserve biodiversity, prevent disease transmission to domestic animals, and protect human health. Wild animals are susceptible to infectious and parasitic diseases, toxins, anthropogenic impacts, and environmental changes. Through pathological and forensic studies, as well as health monitoring programs, we investigate causes of death in wildlife by conducting both passive and active surveillance. These efforts allow us to identify diseases present in the environment, detect the emergence or re-emergence of pathogens, and understand their potential transmission between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.
We advise public institutions and private entities in the analysis, study and management of wildlife populations, including the diseases that affect them. We also provide support in solving wildlife-related conflicts, especially in the interaction with humans in urban and peri-urban environments. The ecological, health and social analyses of wildlife populations and their relationship with human societies allow stakeholders and administration to take informed and science-based decisions on wildlife management.
Almost 30 years of experience and a number of studies support the knowledge of the SEFaS in capture, handling, the study of stress and the guarantee of welfare in wildlife that has to undergo capture and manipulation. We offer an advisory service for implementing and developing the best capture and handling option, as well as for assessing stress and animal welfare, both to researchers and to public and private institutions. The assessment of capture and handling methods must be holistic and integrative, considering, apart from the aforementioned aspects, personnel safety, performance, cost, feasibility and social acceptance, among other factors.
If you wish to know more about our services
Do you want to gain some training with us in management, handling, ecology and pathology of wildlife?
The Wildlife Ecopathology Service collaborates in the teaching of the Veterinary Degree at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona through the Wildlife Ecopathology course. Every year we welcome Grade, Master and Doctorate students to carry out their Theses and stays, who can collaborate with different activities of the service.
We also offer monographic courses and scientific dissemination sessions on veterinary aspects of wildlife for personnel related to it (administration technicians, rangers, hunters, etc.).
