The illegal trade in wildlife is driving species to the brink of extinction while posing environmental, economic, development and security risks. This latest wave of poaching is bringing species already under threat from lower levels of poaching, habitat loss and climate change to dangerously low levels. Local extinctions are being announced annually. Pangolins are thought to be the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world, so we are delighted to continue to work with Save Vietnam’s Wildlife providing training when needed and advice and support from afar. WVI has been instrumental in facilitating networks and disease surveillance programmes throughout the tigers’ range. We have a growing sample collection from conflict tigers (and historically ones caught for research purposes), captive tigers and other carnivores living in Russian Far East, Sumatra and Bangladesh in particular. As numbers fall, the introduction of an infectious disease to the population will have a greater impact, potentially fatal causing local extinctions and even extinctions of species. Fortunately the training and awareness raising work WVI has done over the years within the tiger conservation community means field staff are aware of the risk from diseases and will monitor appropriately. The collection of samples has provided a background from which to compare disease levels during an outbreak. This will give WVI and our veterinary colleagues a head start should an outbreak occur. Fingers crossed it wont!! In the meantime – THANK YOU OLIVIA – for supporting this campaign to reduce the poaching. Find more about the campaign and your kindred species. Can you create your own morph and send them to us?(Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)