 Abstract, the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been found to be transmitted from humans to wildlife, potentially creating a reservoir of the virus in nature. In this study, researchers examined the genetic makeup of SARS-CoV-2 strains found in white-tailed deer in the US. They discovered that the virus had been introduced into the population, through multiple human-to-animal ovovres, resulting in multiple lineages of the virus circulating among the deer. These lineages have since adapted to their new hosts, leading to changes in the virus's structure and function. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 could continue to spread in the environment, posing a threat to both animal and human populations. This article was authored by I Ching Phong, Sarah Bevins, Jeff Chandler, and others.