Field and Laboratory Capabilities

From field research to laboratory analysis, BRI combines scientific expertise, innovative technologies, and advanced analytical tools to support wildlife conservation and environmental decision-making.

Field Capabilities

BRI conducts field-based wildlife research to support environmental monitoring, impact assessment, and conservation decision-making across diverse ecosystems.

Wildlife Capture & Handling 
Specialized capture, handling, tagging, and biological sampling of wildlife.

Movement & Tracking
Tracking wildlife movements, migration, and habitat use with advanced technologies.

Contaminants Monitoring 
Collecting biological and environmental samples to assess contaminant exposure.

Wildlife Surveys & Population Studies 
Assessing wildlife distribution, abundance, and population trends across ecosystems.

Focal Taxa

BRI’s field expertise spans a broad range of wildlife species, with a particular focus on:

  • Birds: Loons, raptors, marine birds, shorebirds, songbirds, and waterfowl
  • Terrestrial Mammals: Bats and small mammals
  • Marine Mammals: Cetaceans and pinnipeds, including beluga, bowhead, and humpback whales, harbor porpoises, harbor and gray seals
  • Fish: Freshwater and marine species
  • Additional Taxa: Reptiles, amphibians, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, pollinators, and plant communities

Laboratory Capabilities

RI’s research laboratories combine advanced technologies, analytical expertise, and specialized scientific methods to investigate wildlife ecology, environmental contaminants, and ecosystem health. From remote wildlife monitoring and ecological modeling to toxicology testing and wildlife health assessments, our laboratories provide essential data to inform conservation, research, and environmental decision-making.

Remote Acoustics and Imagery Lab (RAIL)
RAIL develops innovative, noninvasive approaches to monitoring wildlife using passive acoustic recorders, camera traps, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). These technologies allow researchers to study birds, mammals, and other wildlife across diverse environments while minimizing disturbance, improving survey efficiency, and supporting large-scale biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts.

Quantitative Wildlife Ecology Research Lab (QWERL)
QWERL uses advanced statistical modeling and data analysis to better understand wildlife populations, movements, and ecological relationships. By integrating diverse datasets and applying sophisticated analytical techniques, researchers investigate species distributions, habitat use, and environmental change, providing scientific insights to guide wildlife management and conservation decisions.

Toxicology Lab
BRI’s Toxicology Lab specializes in analyzing mercury and other metals in biological and environmental samples. Using advanced analytical instruments, technicians process and examine tissues, including feathers, blood, fur, and muscle, to assess contaminant exposure. These analyses support wildlife health research, environmental monitoring, and efforts to understand the impacts of pollution on ecosystems.

Capability Sheets

Explore BRI’s specialized scientific services and technical expertise.

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From field research to laboratory analysis, our scientists provide the expertise needed to address complex environmental challenges.