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Steven Osofsky

Jay Hyman Professor of Wildlife Health & Health Policy

Director, Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health

Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences

Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health AHEAD (Animal & Human Health for the Environment And Development) Planetary Health

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Ithaca, NY 14853

Office: 607-253-3856
Email: s.osofsky@cornell.edu

Profile

Research/Clinical Interests

Dr. Osofsky's focus is on the conservation of free-ranging wildlife, as well as on the deeply intertwined relationships among environmental stewardship, system resilience, economic development, and human health and well-being. He works on developing and helping to apply science-based landscape scale approaches to conservation, particularly in terms of policy guidance to address challenges at the interface of wildlife, agriculture and other types of land use, and people. Wildlife, livestock, and human diseases will continue to have a significant impact on the development of sustainable land uses, protected areas, transboundary natural resource management, other biodiversity conservation approaches, and of course, livelihood opportunities around the world. Experience at the interface of wildlife health, domestic animal health, and human health and livelihoods has demonstrated that a One Health approach can build new constituencies for conservation and strengthen existing ones, while mitigating key threats to conservation success.

Dr. Osofsky, the Jay Hyman Professor of Wildlife Health & Health Policy at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, is one of the pioneers of the One Health movement, having led the drafting of the core Manhattan Principles on One World, One Health in 2004. He has developed, launched and managed some of the first major applied One Health programs, including the AHEAD (Animal & Human Health for the Environment And Developmen). Program (launched in South Africa in 2003) and the HEAL (Health & Ecosystems: Analysis of Linkages) Program (launched in 2009), which became the Planetary Health Alliance in 2016. As the only veterinarian serving on The Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on Planetary Health, he was able to bring his range of practical experiences (from both health and environmental conservation perspectives) to the task of shaping the highly interdisciplinary conceptual approach underpinning the field of Planetary Health. Professor Osofsky previously held senior positions at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), as well as with the Government of Botswana. He was also honored to serve as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Diplomacy Fellow, working as a Biodiversity Program Specialist at the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Steve shepherded the creation and launch of the university's Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health, which he now directs.

Education

  • Harvard College of Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (1981-84). A.B. in Biology, 1984. Magna Cum Laude: Phi Beta Kappa. Recipient of “Benjamin A. Trustman Travelling Fellowship” for one year of unrestricted world travel following graduation.
  • New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York (1985-89). D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), 1989.

Post-Graduate Training

  • Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia (1989-1990). Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, 1990. Rotating internship including all major services, night emergency duty, and external rotations at the Veterinary Emergency Center in Richmond and the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Weyers Cave.
  • Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, Texas (1990-1991). Internship in Wildlife and Zoological Medicine. The 3,000 acre Center served as habitat for 1,000+ animals of over 30 species, most in semi-free ranging herds. The program emphasized field immobilization techniques, preventative medicine, conservation-oriented research, and an international perspective.

Biography/Professional Experience

Expand to learn more about each role

Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York (July, 2016-present)

Jay Hyman Endowed Professor of Wildlife Health & Health Policy, a member of the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, with a focus on the conservation of free-ranging wildlife. Responsible for developing and helping to apply science-based landscape-scale approaches to conservation, particularly in terms of policy guidance to address challenges at the interface of wildlife, agriculture and other types of land use, and people. The scope of work includes engagement with various national and international governmental and non-governmental partners, and being a key resource for the University on issues related to wildlife health, One Health, and Planetary Health. Wildlife, livestock, and human diseases will continue to have a significant impact on the development of sustainable land uses, protected areas, transboundary natural resource management, other biodiversity conservation approaches, and of course, livelihood opportunities around the world. Experience at the interface of wildlife health, domestic animal health, and human health and livelihoods has demonstrated that a One Health approach can build new constituencies for conservation and strengthen existing ones, while mitigating key threats to conservation success. The Hyman Professorship involves a commitment of approximately 70% of my time to science policy and research, 10% to teaching, and 20% to service, including gradual development of a center focused on launching and growing programs and policy initiatives that cut across regional and disciplinary boundaries to solve environmental and related health challenges via One Health / Planetary Health approaches.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), New York, New York (July, 2013-June, 2016)

Executive Director, Wildlife Health & Health Policy Program (annual multi-million dollar budget and ~50 staff around the world), based outside of Washington, D.C. Responsible for managing all of the WCS Global Conservation Program's work in the health realm, the Executive Director, Wildlife Health & Health Policy is responsible for delivering on WCS’ mission to save wildlife and wildlands. Responsibilities include: ensuring that WCS addresses the issues raised by wildlife health concerns to achieve better conservation results; identifying, developing, and growing programs, projects and policy initiatives that cut across regional boundaries and address the key threats and opportunities that a One Health approach identifies; being a key spokesperson for the Society on issues related to wildlife health and One Health, speaking at public events, academic institutions, and across the conservation community to maintain and expand WCS’ authority as a leader in the wildlife health field; being a visionary leader and helping to implement the goals and objectives of the Society’s conservation efforts while ensuring that a One Health approach meshes well with the overall strategic vision of the Society, and with the specific conservation targets (places, species) that are the Society’s priorities; being a strong fundraiser via both private and public sources.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), New York, New York (December, 2002-June, 2013)

Senior Policy Advisor and then Director, Wildlife Health Policy, based outside of Washington, D.C. As a member of the Field Veterinary Program, responsibilities include: provision of advice and development of policy recommendations for U.S. and foreign governments on free-ranging wildlife health and management issues; development of good working relationships with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other parties involved in promoting the health of free-ranging wildlife nationally and internationally; training of foreign professionals in policy development and implementation related to free-ranging wildlife health issues; briefing or informing relevant agencies and organizations on issues of free-ranging wildlife health critical for conservation; reviewing and assisting in WCS field programs and those of grantees to facilitate appropriate wildlife health policy development and implementation; public speaking, professional writing, and provision of technical recommendations and advice in a variety of fora; and identification of potential sources of support for priority programs and development of contextually relevant project proposals.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Washington, D.C. (July, 2000-November, 2002)

Director, Field Support, Species Conservation Program and (June, 2001- November, 2002) Acting Vice President, Species Conservation Program. Responsibilities include: the coordination of international endangered species conservation programs and wildlife policy initiatives anchored by a landscape-based (ecoregional) approach in Asia and Africa; development and management of projects associated with WWF’s priority species of global concern, particularly efforts focused on African and Asian rhinos and African and Asian elephants; cultivation of synergistic linkages between the Species Conservation Program and other WWF programs, departments, and network field offices; analysis of programs and policies to maximize efficacy at addressing key threats; identification of emerging wildlife policy and species conservation challenges; advancement of key policy initiatives via strategic advocacy targeted at government agencies, other conservation organizations, academia, private sector interests, donors, and the public; provision of technical recommendations and advice in a variety of fora; and identification of potential sources of support for priority programs and development of contextually relevant project proposals.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Washington, D.C. (July, 1998-June, 2000)

Senior Program Officer for Species Conservation. Responsibilities include: the coordination of international endangered species conservation programs and wildlife policy initiatives; development and management of projects associated with WWF’s priority species of global concern, particularly efforts focused on African and Asian rhinos and elephants, and tigers; cultivation of synergistic linkages between the Species Conservation Program and other WWF programs, departments, and network field offices; analysis of programs and policies to maximize efficacy at addressing key threats; identification of emerging wildlife policy and species conservation challenges; advancement of key policy initiatives via interaction with government agencies, other conservation organizations, academia, private sector interests, donors, and the public; provision of technical recommendations and advice in a variety of fora; and identification of potential sources of support for priority programs and development of contextually relevant project proposals. Promoted to Director in July, 2000.

AAAS Science and Diplomacy Fellowship with USAID, Washington, D.C. (September, 1996-June, 1998)

American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow serving as a Biodiversity Program Specialist at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Selected for a post in the Environment Center’s Bureau for Global Programs, Field Support and Research. Responsibilities include the planning, monitoring, and field support of sustainable development programs that have major environmental / biodiversity conservation components. Emphasis is on ground-truthing Integrated Conservation and Development Projects, critically evaluating sustainability, protected area / buffer zone strategic planning, ameliorating conflicts at the wildlife / livestock interface, and linking wildlife research to management needs. Projects require collaboration among a diversity of governmental and non-governmental organizations. Program / partner agencies / objective:
-Partnership for Biodiversity / US Dept. of Interior, Peace Corps / Support high biodiversity sites around the world through technical assistance packages and training.
-Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act Fund and African Elephant Conservation Act Fund / USFWS / Ecosystem-focused support to specific conservation efforts in range countries.
-CITES Interagency Committee / USFWS, Dept. of State, other USG agencies / Help develop US positions for CITES Conference of Parties (COP) 10 and attend the COP as a member of the US Delegation, technical support team.
-Mission Consultation / USAID Field Missions / Technical support for biodiversity activities in USAID-assisted countries.
Field highlights have included working with various wildlife management authorities (Ecuador- Inefan; Tanzania- TANAPA and Wildlife Division; Nepal- DNPWC) along with local and international NGOs.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, Texas (August, 1994-May, 1996)

Director of Animal Health Services at the 3,000 acre Center which serves as habitat for 1,500+ animals of over 40 species. (The collection had increased in size since my internship.) My program emphasized advanced field immobilization protocols, preventative medicine, conservation-oriented research, and international training/outreach. Most species are in a semi-free ranging situation, and management style reflected a commitment to practical field-oriented conservation. I directly supervised one associate veterinarian, two veterinary technicians, one administrative assistant, as well as rotating senior veterinary students.

Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Botswana, southern Africa (January, 1992-January, 1994)

Two year contract directly with the Government of Botswana to serve as the first Wildlife Veterinary Officer for the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Filling this new post meant developing a Wildlife Veterinary Unit literally from “nothing.” Responsible for: developing all of the administrative infrastructure needed to serve the wildlife veterinary needs of the nation; obtaining and maintaining all necessary field and laboratory equipment; developing all capture, safety, animal welfare, and data collection protocols needed; performing all wildlife immobilizations in the country for Departmental research and/or management purposes (including problem predator work); providing chemical capture services for approved private researchers working in national parks and reserves; developing and completing research projects; training field officers in safe wildlife capture/sample collection and evaluation techniques; performing disease outbreak investigations, and providing extension services to game farmers/ranchers. Species worked with include: buffalo, cheetah, wild dog, eland, elephant, giraffe, impala, kudu, leopard, lion, ostrich, white rhinoceros, springbok, tortoise, vulture, wildebeest, and zebra. All animals handled underwent a thorough biomedical evaluation as part of the Unit’s program to establish a wildlife health database/set of clinical normal values/serum bank. I directly supervised two Game Wardens (assistant wildlife biologists), one Assistant Game Warden (veterinary assistant), and one volunteer veterinarian serving as a technician/field assistant.

Awards and Honors

Professional Recognition 

Honorary Diplomate Certificate presented July 17th, 2023 by the American Veterinary One Health Society (formerly the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society) “in recognition of outstanding contributions and distinguished service to improve animal health and human health in the true spirit of One Health.”

Professional/Academic Affiliations

  • Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability Senior Faculty Fellow
  • Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, Institute for African Development Faculty Associate
  • American Veterinary Medical Association
  • Wildlife Disease Association
  • Society for Conservation Biology
  • American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians
  • IUCN Species Survival Commission (multiple Specialist Groups)
  • The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission on Planetary Health
  • Planetary Health Alliance Founding Science Policy Director
  • Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Board Member
  • Cornell Wildlife Health Center Founding Director

Publications

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications
  1. Opengart, K. N., Brown, T. P., Osofsky, S. A., and M. Moon. 1990. “Congenital Extra-Hepatic Biliary Cyst in a Congo African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus),” Avian Diseases, vol. 34 (2): 497-500.
  2. Osofsky, S. A., Brown, T. P., and C. Carrig. 1990. “An Ectopic Wing in a Wild Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus),” Avian Diseases, vol. 34 (3): 765-769.
  3. Dubey, J. P., Zajac, A., Osofsky, S. A., and L. Tobias. 1990. “Acute Primary Toxoplasmic Hepatitis in an Adult Cat Shedding Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts,” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, vol. 197 (12): 1616-1618.
  4. Osofsky, S. A., Rogers, P. S., and A. Trawford. 1995. “Facilitation of Boma Adaptation of an Injured Subadult Male Southern White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum simum via Introduction to an Adult Male,” Pachyderm, no. 20: 41-44.
  5. Radcliffe, R. W., Bommarito, M. P., and S. A. Osofsky. 1996. “Ultrasonography as a Tool in the Conservation of the African Rhinoceros: Ex Situ and In Situ Applications,” Pachyderm, no. 21: 55-59.
  6. Osofsky, S. A., Hirsch, K. J., Zuckerman, E. E., and W. D. Hardy. 1996. “Feline Lentivirus and Feline Oncovirus Status of Free-Ranging Lions (Panthera leo), Leopards (Panthera pardus), and Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in Botswana: A Regional Perspective,” Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, vol. 27 (4): 453-467.
  7. Osofsky, S. A., McNutt, J. W., and K. J. Hirsch. 1996. “Immobilization of Free-Ranging African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus) using a Ketamine/Xylazine/Atropine Combination,” Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, vol. 27 (4): 528-532.
  8. Osofsky, S. A. 1997. “A Practical Anesthesia Monitoring Protocol for Free-Ranging Adult African Elephants (Loxodonta africana),” Journal of Wildlife Diseases, vol. 33 (1): 72-77.
  9. Radcliffe, R. W., Czekala, N. M., and S. A. Osofsky. 1997. “Combined Serial Ultrasonography and Fecal Progestin Analysis for Reproductive Evaluation of the Female White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum): Preliminary Results,” Zoo Biology, vol. 16: 445-456.
  10. Osofsky, S. A. and K. J. Hirsch. 2000. “Chemical Restraint of Endangered Mammals for Conservation Purposes: A Practical Primer,” Oryx, vol. 34 (1): 27-33.
  11. Ferrell, S. T., Radcliffe, R. W., Marsh, R., Thurman, C. B., Cartwright, C. M., De Maar, T. W. J., Blumer, E. S, Spevak, E., and S. A. Osofsky. 2001. “Comparisons Among Selected Neonatal Biomedical Parameters of Four Species of Semi-Free Ranging Hippotragini: Addax (Addax nasomaculatus), Scimitar-Horned Oryx (Oryx dammah), Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx), and Sable Antelope (Hippotragus niger),” Zoo Biology, vol. 20: 47-54.
  12. Osofsky, S. A., Paglia, D. E., Radcliffe, R. W., Miller, R. E., Emslie, R. H., Foose, T. J., du Toit, R., and M. W. Atkinson. 2001. “First, Do No Harm: A Precautionary Recommendation Regarding the Movement of Black Rhinos from Overseas Zoos Back to Africa,” Pachyderm, no. 30: 17-23.
  13. Thomson, G. R., Penrith, M.-L., Atkinson, M. W., Atkinson, S. J., Cassidy, D., and S. A. Osofsky. 2013. “Balancing Livestock Production and Wildlife Conservation in and around Southern Africa's Transfrontier Conservation Areas,” Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, vol. 60 (6): 492–506. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/tbed.12175
  14. Thomson, G. R., Penrith, M.-L., Atkinson, M. W., Thalwitzer, S., Mancuso, A., Atkinson, S. J., and S. A. Osofsky. 2013. “International Trade Standards for Commodities and Products Derived from Animals: The Need for a System that Integrates Food Safety and Animal Disease Risk Management,” Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, vol. 60 (6): 507–515. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/tbed.12164
  15. Myers, S. S., Gaffikin, L., Golden, C. D., Ostfeld, R. S., Redford, K. H., Ricketts, T. H., Turner, W. R., and S. A. Osofsky. 2013. “Human Health Impacts of Ecosystem Alteration,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 110 (47): 18753-18760. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1218656110
  16. Whitmee, S., Haines, A., Beyrer, C., Boltz, F., Capon, A. G., de Souza Dias, B. F., Ezeh, A., Frumkin, H., Gong, P., Head, P., Horton, R., Mace, G. M., Marten, R., Myers, S. S., Nishtar, S., Osofsky, S. A., Pattanayak, S. K., Pongsiri, M. J., Romanelli, C., Soucat, A., Vega, J., and D. Yach. 2015. “Safeguarding Human Health in the Anthropocene Epoch: Report of The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission on Planetary Health,” The Lancet, vol. 386 (10007): 1973-2028. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2815%2960901-1/fulltext and http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60901-1
  17. Bayles, B. R., Brauman, K. A., Adkins, J. N., Allan, B. F., Ellis, A. M., Goldberg, T. L., Golden, C. D., Grigsby-Toussaint, D. S., Myers, S. S., Osofsky, S. A., Ricketts, T. H., and J. B. Ristaino. 2016. "Ecosystem Services Connect Environmental Change to Human Health Outcomes," EcoHealth, 7 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10393-016-1137-5
  18. Gilbert, M., Sulikhan, N., Uphyrkina, O., Goncharuk, M., Kerley, L., Hernandez Castro, E., Reeve, R., Seimon, T., McAloose, D., Seryodkin, I. V., Naidenko, S. V., Davis, C. A., Wilkie, G. S., Vattipally, S. B., Adamson, W.E., Hinds, C., Thomson, E. C., Willett, B. J., Hosie, M. J., Logan, N., McDonald, M., Ossiboff, R. J., Shevtsova, E. I., Belyakin, S., Yurlova, A. A., Osofsky, S. A., Miquelle, D. G., Matthews, L., and S. Cleaveland. 2020. "Distemper, Extinction, and Vaccination of the Amur Tiger," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 117 (50): 31954-31962. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2000153117
  19. Mulia, B. H., Mariya, S., Bodgener, J., Iskandriati, D., Liwa,S. R., Sumampau, T., Manansang, J., Darusman, H. S., Osofsky, S. A., Techakriengkrai, N., and M. Gilbert. 2021. "Exposure of Wild Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) to Canine Distemper Virus," Journal of Wildlife Diseases, vol. 57 (2): 464-466. https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-20-00144
  20. Osofsky, S. A., Lieberman, S., Walzer, C., Lee, H. L., and L. A. Neme. 2023. “An Immediate Way to Lower Pandemic Risk: (Not) Seizing the Low-Hanging Fruit (Bat),” The Lancet Planetary Health, vol. 7 (6): e518-e526. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00077-3
  21. Osofsky, S. A., Atkinson, S. J., Ramsden, N., and M.-L. Penrith. 2025. “Two Decades of One Health in Action: Enabling Sustainable Wildlife Conservation and Livestock Production in Southern Africa,” CABI One Health, 4:1, 0006.
Edited Volume

Osofsky, S. A., Cleaveland, S., Karesh, W. B., Kock, M. D., Nyhus, P. J., Starr, L., and A. Yang, (eds.). 2005. Conservation and Development Interventions at the Wildlife/Livestock Interface: Implications for Wildlife, Livestock and Human Health. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, United Kingdom. xxxiii and 220 pp.

Book Chapters
  1. Radcliffe, R. M. and S. A. Osofsky. 2002. “Disease Concerns for Wild Equids,” pp. 124-153 and pp. 182-184, in Moehlman, P. D. (ed.) Equids: Zebras, Asses and Horses Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Equid Specialist Group, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, United Kingdom.
  2. Nyhus, P. J., Osofsky, S. A., Ferraro, P., Madden, F., and H. Fischer. 2005. “Bearing the Costs of Human-Wildlife Conflict: The Challenges of Compensation Schemes,” pp. 107-121, in Woodroffe, R., Thirgood, S., and A. Rabinowitz (eds.) People and Wildlife: Conflict or Coexistence? Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
  3. Osofsky, S. A., Kock, R. A., Kock, M. D., Kalema-Zikusoka, G., Grahn, R., Leyland, T., and W. B. Karesh. 2005. “Building Support for Protected Areas Using a ‘One Health’ Perspective,” pp. 65-79, in McNeely, J. A. (ed.) Friends for Life: New Partners in Support of Protected Areas. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, United Kingdom.
  4. Zahler, P., Joly, D. O., Krueger, L., Osofsky, S. A., and S. Enkhtuvshin. 2007. “Improving Poverty Reduction and Conservation Outcomes in the Grassland Ecosystem of Mongolia,” pp. 89-96, in Steele, P., Oviedo, G. and D. McCauley (eds.) Poverty, Health, and Ecosystems: Experience from Asia. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines.
  5. Osofsky, S. A., Cumming, D. H. M., and M. D. Kock. 2008. “Transboundary Management of Natural Resources and the Importance of a ‘One Health’ Approach: Perspectives on Southern Africa,” pp. 89-98, in Fearn, E. and K. H. Redford (eds.) State of the Wild 2008-2009: A Global Portrait of Wildlife, Wildlands, and Oceans. Island Press, Washington, D. C.
  6. Barrett, M. A. and S. A. Osofsky. 2013. “One Health: Interdependence of People, Other Species, and the Planet,” pp. 364-377 (and online supplement pp. 407(e1)-416(e10) at studentconsult.com), in Katz, D. L., Elmore, J. G., Wild, D. M. G., and S. C. Lucan (eds.) Jekel’s Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health (4th ed.). Elsevier / Saunders, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  7. Cumming, D. H. M., Osofsky, S. A., Atkinson, S. J., and M. W. Atkinson. 2015. “Beyond Fences: Wildlife, Livestock and Land Use in Southern Africa,” pp. 243-257, in Zinsstag, J., Schelling, E., Waltner-Toews, D., Whittaker, M., and M. Tanner (eds.) One Health: The Theory and Practice of Integrated Health Approaches. C.A.B. International, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
Editorials
  1. Osofsky, S. A. 1986. “Some Thoughts on the Roles and Responsibilities of the Modern Zoo,” Intervet: Journal of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association, vol. 22 (2): 16-20.
  2. Osofsky, S. A. 1997. “Think Link: Critically Evaluating Linkages Between Conservation Projects and Development,” Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, vol. 28 (2): 141-143.
  3. Osofsky, S. A., Karesh, W. B., and S. L. Deem. 2000. “Conservation Medicine: A Veterinary Perspective,” Conservation Biology, vol. 14 (2): 336-337.
  4. Karesh, W. B., Osofsky, S. A., Rocke, T. E., and P. L. Barrows. 2002. “Joining Forces to Improve Our World,” Conservation Biology, vol. 16 (5): 1432-1434.
  5. Redford, K. H., Myers, S. S., Ricketts, T. H., and S. A. Osofsky. 2014. “Human Health as a Judicious Conservation Opportunity,” Conservation Biology, vol. 28 (3): 627-629. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12290
  6. Almada, A. A., Golden, C. D., Osofsky S. A., and S. S. Myers. 2017. “A Case for Planetary Health / GeoHealth,” GeoHealth, vol. 1: 1-4. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2017GH000084/full
  7. Osofsky, S. A. and M. J. Pongsiri, 2018. “Operationalising Planetary Health as a Game-Changing Paradigm: Health Impact Assessments Are Key,” The Lancet Planetary Health, vol. 2 (2): e54-e55. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(17)30183-3
  8. Osofsky, S. A. 2019. “The Global Burden of (How We Manage) Animal Disease: Learning Lessons from Southern Africa,” Journal of Wildlife Diseases, vol. 55 (4): 755-757. https://www.jwildlifedis.org/doi/pdf/10.7589/2019-01-024
White Papers, Guidelines, Proceedings and other Peer Outreach
  1. Osofsky, S. A. 1993. “Ethical Triage in Free-Ranging Wildlife in Botswana,” World Association of Wildlife Veterinarians Newsletter, no. 13 (November): 8-9.
  2. Osofsky, S. A. and D. M. Crowe. 1993. “An Operational Plan for Wildlife Veterinary Services.” Research Division Report Number 6. Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Government of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana, 8 pp.
  3. Osofsky, S. A. 1994. “Botswana’s Wildlife Resource: A Veterinary Perspective,” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, vol. 205 (10): 1381-1385.
  4. Osofsky, S. A. 1994. “Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks’ Wildlife Veterinary Unit: An Update, November 1991-January 1994,” IUCN Species Survival Commission Veterinary Specialist Group Newsletter, no. 8 (November): 9-11.
  5. Bush, M., Osofsky, S., Radcliffe, R., and D. Decker. 1995. “Laparoscopic Vasectomy: A Simple Technique for Sterilization of the Male Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus),” Felid Taxon Advisory Group Action Plan: 1995 Report, American Zoo and Aquarium Association. Escondido, California. Pp. 29-30.
  6. Radcliffe, R. W. and S. A. Osofsky. 1996. “Reproductive Applications of Transrectal Ultrasonography in Captive African Rhinoceros, and Thoughts on In Situ Use,” Proc. Conf. American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Pp. 42-47.
  7. Radcliffe, R. W., Bommarito, M. P., and S. A. Osofsky. 1996. “Clinical Challenge” (Rhino Ultrasound), Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, vol. 27 (2): 275-277.
  8. Radcliffe, R. W., Foggin, C. M., Radcliffe, R. M., and S. A. Osofsky. 2000. “Reproductive Ultrasonography as a Tool for Wild Rhinoceros Management: What Does this Technology Offer to Field Managers and Rhino Conservation Programs?” Proc. Fifth Meeting of the IUCN SSC African Rhino Specialist Group. Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Tanzania. pp. 68-70.
  9. Nyhus, P., Fischer, H., Madden, F., and S. Osofsky. 2003. “Taking the Bite Out of Wildlife Damage: The Challenges of Wildlife Compensation Schemes,” Conservation in Practice, vol. 4 (2): 37-40.
  10. D’Amico Hales, J., Osofsky, S. A., and D. H. M. Cumming. 2004. “Wildlife Health in Africa: Implications for Conservation in the Decades Ahead,” pp. 129-130, in Burgess, N., D’Amico Hales, J., Underwood, E., Dinerstein, E., Olson, D., Itoua, I., Schipper, J., Ricketts, T., and K. Newman (eds.) The Terrestrial Ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar: A Conservation Assessment. Island Press, Washington, D. C.
  11. Cook, R.A., Karesh, W.B., and S. A. Osofsky. 2004. The Manhattan Principles on ‘One World, One Health’: Building Interdisciplinary Bridges to Health in a Globalized World, New York, Wildlife Conservation Society.
  12. Osofsky, S. 2009. “Beyond Borders,” World Conservation (IUCN Magazine Special Issue, Life Support: Human Health and the Environment), vol. 39 (1): 14-15.
  13. Thomson, G., Penrith, M.-L., Atkinson, S. J. and S. A. Osofsky. 2017. “Guidelines on Management of Foot and Mouth Disease Risk through Value Chain Approaches for Beef Exporting Enterprises in Southern Africa, 2nd Edition.” Technical Report on behalf of Cornell University’s AHEAD Program. 15 pp.
  14. Osofsky, S. A. 2018. “2030 and Beyond: The Planet as the Most Important Health System,” Science eLetter, http://science.sciencemag.org/content/359/6382/1337/tab-e-letters
  15. Thomson, G., Penrith, M.-L., Atkinson, S. J. and S. A. Osofsky. 2018. “Guidelines on Commodity-Based Trade Approaches for Managing Foot and Mouth Disease Risk in Beef in Southern Africa, 3rd Edition.” Technical Report on behalf of Cornell University’s AHEAD Program. 17 pp.
  16. Atkinson, S. J., Bing, M., McNutt, J. W., Marshall, C., Masedi, M., Osofsky, S. A., Penrith, M-L., Ramsden, N., Ross, K. S., Thomson, G. R., van Rooyen, J., and R. W. Worobo. 2019. “Gap Analysis on the Implementation of Commodity-Based Trade of Beef in Ngamiland, Botswana.” Report prepared in consultation with the Government of Botswana’s Department of Veterinary Services. AHEAD Program, Cornell University. 120 pp.
  17. Osofsky, S. A. and R. D. Taylor, 2021. “Piecing Together an African Peace Park,” Science, vol. 373 (6557): 864. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abl7447
  18. SADC, AHEAD. 2021. Guidelines on Commodity-Based Trade Approaches for Managing Foot and Mouth Disease Risk in Beef in the SADC Region, 4th Edition. Southern African Development Community, Animal & Human Health for the Environment And Development, Gaborone, Botswana & New York, USA. 16 pp. ISBN: 978-99968-919-2-2,
  19. Rosen, L. E., Amuthenu, N. S., Atkinson, S. J., Babayani, N. D., Elago, S. A. T., Hikufe, E., Mafonko, B. R., Mbeha, B., Mokopasetso, M., Motshegwa, K., Nkgowe, C., Penrith M-L., Ramokwena, E. M., Ramsden, N., Segale, K., Sharpe, J., Shilongo, A., Shoombe, K. K., Shuro, T., Thololwane, O. I., van Rooyen, J. and Osofsky, S. A. 2024. “Veterinary Fences in the KAZA TFCA: Assessment of Livestock Disease Risks of Potential Removal of Specific Fence Sections, with an Emphasis on the Botswana-Namibia Border.” AHEAD Programme, Cornell University on behalf of the KAZA Animal Health Sub Working Group. 300 pp. 
General Audience
  1. Osofsky, S. A. 1988. “Panther Diary,” Natural History, vol. 97 (4): 50-54.
  2. Osofsky, S. 2008. “On the Horn of a Dilemma,” pp. 195-206, in Spelman, L. H. and T. Y. Mashima (eds.) The Rhino with Glue-On Shoes. Random House, New York, New York.
  3. Atkinson, S. and S. Osofsky, 2014. “Tourism, Beef or Both? Rethinking Productivity in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area,” Zambezi Traveller, Jun-Jul-Aug edition. P. 34. http://zambezitraveller.com/chobe/transfrontier-parks/tourism-beef-or-both
  4. Osofsky, S. 2014. "How to Keep Viruses in the Wild from Finding Humans," https://www.cnn.com/2014/10/09/opinion/osofsky-ebola-wildlife.
  5. Osofsky, S. A. 2018. “Planetary Health,” 5-minute podcast in the What Makes Us Human? Cornell University podcast series http://as.cornell.edu/news/planetary-health.
  6. Osofsky, S. 2019. “A Plea to Botswana: Please Rethink a ‘Not Enough Fences’ Approach.”
  7. Osofsky, S. 2019. Radio interview for Viewpoints with Canadian journalist Todd van der Heyden on the recent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report on the losses of natural systems and unprecedented extinction rates. Listen on SoundCloud.
  8. Osofsky, S. 2019. “Of Animal Germs and Pachyderms:  A Novel Approach for Making Africa’s Largest Transfrontier Conservation Area a Success.”
  9. Osofsky, S. 2020. "Preventing the Next Pandemic: We Can Make This a ‘Never Again’ Moment," https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/preventing-the-next-pandemic-we-can-make-this-a-never-again-moment/articleshow/74974789.cms.
  10. Osofsky, S. 2020. Podcast interview for the Excellsior podcast, "The Wildlife Origins of SARS-CoV-2 and the Importance of a One Health Lens."
  11. Osofsky, S. 2020. "One World, One Health: A Critical Reminder for Earth Day”
  12. Osofsky, S. 2020. "Emerging Dis-Ease: U.S. Foreign Assistance Needs to Focus on the Root Causes of Pandemics."
  13. Osofsky, S. 2020. Podcast interview for the Cracking One Health podcast, with Dr. Osofsky providing a personal perspective on his One Health work in southern Africa, and on his role in the origins of the One Health movement.
  14. Osofsky, S. 2020. Podcast interview for the Life After Covid: The Optimist’s Guide to a Post-Pandemic Future podcast, with a focus on questions our pandemic predicament makes unavoidable, and on the value of using a One Health / Planetary Health lens to inform our answers.
  15. Osofsky, S. and S. Lieberman. 2023. "The Simplest Way to Prevent the Next Pandemic? Leave Bats Alone."
  16. Taylor, R., Naidoo, R., Steel, L., Knight, M. and S. A. Osofsky, 2024. “Count, Connect, Conserve: Southern Africa Elephant Survey Points the Way.”
  17. Osofsky, S. 2024. Webcast (video) interview for On Record: Johns Hopkins Science Policy & Diplomacy Briefing Series, Episode 3: One Health & Planetary Health with Professor Steve Osofsky.
  18. Osofsky, S. 2025. “The U.S. Must Invest in mRNA Vaccines against Pandemic Influenza Viruses Now.”

Additional Information

Graduate Field Membership

  • Zoology and Wildlife Conservation
  • Natural Resources
  • Regional Science
  • Global Development
  • Public Affairs
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology