91´ÎÔª

IACUC Semi-Annual Inspection of Wildlife Field Studies

Number: IACUC-POL-007 

Responsible Office: Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS)  

Applies to: Principal Investigators Conducting Animal Research 

1. Purpose

The 91´ÎÔª Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal regulations regarding the humane care and use of animals in research, including wildlife field studies. 

While semiannual inspections of research facilities are required under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and Public Health Service (PHS) Policy, field study sites involving free-living wild animals are often difficult due to their geographic expanse and seasonal nature. This policy outlines the IACUC’s approach to oversight and inspection of wildlife field studies, ensuring compliance while accommodating the unique challenges of field-based research. 

This policy outlines: 

• When IACUC inspections of wildlife field studies are required. 
• Alternative oversight mechanisms when in-person inspections are not feasible. 
• Documentation and approval procedures for wildlife research activities. 

2. General Guidelines

The IACUC must ensure that wildlife field studies comply with: 

• USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (9 CFR, Part 2, Section 2.31(c)(2)). 
• PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. 
• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8th Edition). 

Purely observational studies that do not impact the biology or behavior do not require Semiannual Inspection by the IACUC.  

3. Requirements for IACUC Oversight of Wildlife Field Studies

IACUC Inspection Requirements: 

• In-person inspections of wildlife field sites are not required per USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (9 CFR, Part 2, Section 2.31(c)(2)), but if the study involves housing wildlife for more than 12 hours within a reasonable geographic location to the 91´ÎÔª., the IACUC will require an in-person site visit.  

When in-person inspections are impractical, the IACUC may use alternative oversight mechanisms, including: 

• Thorough protocol review prior to study initiation. 
• Post-approval monitoring. 
• Videos, photographs. 
• Reports. 

Field Study Protocol Requirements 

Principal Investigators (PIs) must submit a Field Study Protocol that includes: 

• Location of the study and species involved. 
• Procedures performed on animals (e.g., capture, marking, sample collection). 
• Impact assessment of how activities may affect the animals and their habitat. 
• Documentation of required permits (local, state, national, and international). 

4. Oversight and Monitoring

To maintain compliance, the IACUC will: 

• Conduct protocol reviews for all wildlife field studies. 
• Conduct in-person inspections if animals are housed for ≥ 12 hours and within a reasonable geographic location to the 91´ÎÔª. 
• If outside a reasonable geographic location, alternative post-approval monitoring methods will be used (videos, photographs, reports).  

Principal Investigators (PIs) are responsible for: 

• Ensuring that all procedures are described in the approved Field Study Protocol. 
• Submitting amendments if research activities change. 
• Providing photographs and reports for post-approval monitoring, if requested. 

5. References

1. Animal Welfare Act (AWA) – 9 CFR, Chapter I, Subchapter A 
2. Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals 
3. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC, 2011) 
4. OLAW Online Seminar: Oversight of Research Involving Wildlife 
5. USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (9 CFR, Part 2, Section 2.31(c)(2))  

6. Review, Approval and Version History

Review and approval version history for this policy

Version	Date	Description of Changes	Approved By
1.0	April 8, 2025	Initial policy adopted	IACUC Committee