What effect can disease spread among wildlife have on conservation?

Correct answer: Numbers of some species may decrease

Direct answer: Option A is correct. Disease can spread through contact, contaminated food or water, parasites, or other pathways. When wildlife becomes infected, animals may become weak, reproduce less, die, or become more vulnerable to predators and other pressures. If a disease spreads widely, the population of one or more species may decrease, making conservation more difficult. Option A correctly states this possible effect. Option B is wrong because disease does not automatically increase habitats; habitat growth requires protection, restoration, or natural processes. Option C is wrong because disease does not necessarily stop hunting, and hunting is a separate human activity. Option D is wrong because infection cannot make all animals healthy; it usually creates a health risk. Conservation therefore includes disease monitoring, veterinary care where suitable, and protection of healthy habitats. Memory cue: disease weakens populations, so health monitoring supports conservation.