New York State Bureau of Wildlife State Wildlife Pathologist Site Investigation Files

Alphabetical.

The Wildlife Health Unit, also referred to as the Wildlife Pathology Unit, is one of the Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) program areas at the Wildlife Research Center in Delmar, NY. It is responsible for handling and examining deceased animals, as well as diagnosing, monitoring and (when needed) controlling the causes of sickness and death in New York State's amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The unit also provides forensic wildlife pathology services to DEC's law enforcement and other agencies; performs field investigations related to the impact of environmental contamination (e.g., oil spills, industrial discharges, pesticide use and misuse, hazardous waste sites and landfills) on wildlife; and conducts original research in the fields of wildlife pathology, physiology, and toxicology.

Ward Stone supervised the DEC Wildlife Pathology Unit for forty years. He joined the DEC in 1969 as a Senior Wildlife Pathologist and became an Associate Wildlife Pathologist in 1970. He was at the forefront of numerous environmental issues and was often interviewed for local newspaper articles and radio programs. He retired from DEC in 2010.

This series consists of environmental site investigations conducted by State Wildlife Pathologist, Ward Stone. Records include correspondence, email, memorandums, toxicology reports and data sheets, contracted test results, maps, specimen chain of custody sheets, newspaper clippings, and color photographs and 35mm slides. Investigations relate to a wide variety of sites and issues: Akwasasne, Albany Sanitary Landfill, West Nyack, Centralia, Claverack Landfill, Coeyman's Hollow, Gloversville Landfill, Gray Squirrel, Canada Goose meat, Basic Creek Reservoir (Albany County), New Paltz Elementary School, Exxon, EPA/GM Wildlife Study, the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES), and PCBs. Additional topics covered include West Nile virus, NYC poisoning cases, lead poisoning, Lyme disease, Abele cut and fil site, Accord Speedway, Cold Spring, levels of chlorinated pesticides, lipids related to the illnesses of correspondents, and the correlation between deaths of Canada Geese and the ingestion of shotgun pellets.

Records in this series was transferred under RDA 22876.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.