323 © 2009 ISZS, Blackwell Publishing and IOZ/CAS EDITORIAL

Importance of collaboration on wildlife disease issues Wildlife species are important components in disease transmission and persistence. They serve a critical role when viewing disease from a One Health perspective (One Health Initiative 2009). Although often misunderstood or underestimated, disease issues within wildlife species could greatly impact concerns in domestic animal or hu-man health. Recent outbreaks of some zoonotic diseases can be traced, at least in part, to wildlife species. Beyond the potential threat to humans and agricultural resources, wildlife diseases also threaten biodiversity and animal welfare within natural ecosystems. Pathogens carried by wildlife species are extremely complex. Wild animals exist in varied habitats, covering most of the globe and climatic conditions. The diversit