Interest in wildlife diseases and their importance to man and his livestock has increased in the United Kingdom during the past decade. Reasons for this are given and particular reference made to the single occurrence of rabies outside quarantine in Britain, in 1969 (the first since 1922), and to the links between bovine tuberculosis in badgers and in cattle.

The relationships between man and other animals have attracted increased attention and some controversy in recent years. Their importance in biomedical research, farming, and wildlife control are discussed in the United Kingdom context.