2026 Rocky Mountain National Park Partnership Award Presented to NPS Wildlife Health Branch

Rocky Mountain National Park is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Partnership Award. This award recognizes organizations that have made a substantial contribution to the management of RMNP through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and co-production of science and research.

Hanem Abouelezz, Michelle Verant, and Scott Ratchford (left) receive the 2026 Partnership Award for the Wildlife Health Branch during the Biennial Research Conference. NPS Photo

The National Park Service (NPS) Wildlife Health Branch has been a critical partner in supporting wildlife research and science-informed wildlife management at Rocky Mountain National Park.

Collaboration between the Wildlife Health Branch and Rocky Mountain National Park was key to the development of the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan. The Wildlife Health Branch provided technical assistance with elk collaring operations for elk migration and space use studies, tested the efficacy of contraception in elk, and led research into Chronic Wasting Disease.

NPS staff perform tests on mule deer to study Chronic Wasting Disease NPS Photo

Over the years, the Wildlife Health staff have responded to park inquiries on tularemia, respiratory diseases in bighorn sheep, tickborne diseases, and others. The staff have coordinated necropsies for the park in species ranging from montane voles to moose.

Most recently, the Wildlife Health team provided technical assistance for moose collaring operations critical to understanding space use and population dynamics, including conducting cutting-edge research into improving anesthesia procedures for moose. Since 2024, they have assisted the park to diagnose bats with the Pd fungus that causes white nose syndrome. They also work closely with park staff operating in proximity to bat populations to implement rabies exposure interventions and provide education that enhances both employee and public safety.

The Wildlife Health Branch's support for Rocky Mountain National Park exemplifies their impact across National Park Service units nationwide. Beyond addressing park-specific needs, the team provides service-wide wildlife anesthesia training, maintains veterinary licenses utilized across the Service, supplies wildlife pharmaceuticals for research and management, monitors for disease spread, and reviews and approves wildlife handling and anesthesia protocols for park units—consistently embracing the most current, data-driven, and safety-focused methodologies.

We sincerely thank the NPS Wildlife Health Branch for their significant contributions and their commitment to the mission of Rocky Mountain National Park.

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