To celebrate the anniversary of our charity partnership with Vet CT and the completion of their 'round the world' challenge by their global team to virtually visit the conservation projects we support, we held a series of veterinary wildlife webinars.

The webinars were free to attend, and voluntary donations to support our work are welcomed via this link.

Webinar 4 - “Testing Tigers; The Challenges of Setting up a National Surveillance Programme.”

With Jessica Bodgener, WVI Veterinary Partner.

Watch the recording here.

‍Jess talked about how disease is increasingly recognised as a serious threat to endangered species. And, when it comes to carnivores, Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is one of the pathogens that poses the greatest risk.Jess has been working on CDV in wildlife for seven years, with a particular focus on the impact on big cats in Asia. In this talk she will discuss why CDV is such a problem for conservation, and the logistical and political challenges of conducting disease surveillance in large free-ranging carnivores.

‍

‍

Webinar 3 - “One Health: an integrated approach to wildlife and human health.”

With Nic Masters, Toronto Zoo and WVI Veterinary Advisor

Watch the recording here.

The recent series of infectious diseases emerging from wildlife has led to increased interest in One Health, but One Health means different things to different people. In addition to emerging human health challenges, diseases emerge in, and threaten, domestic animals, wildlife, crops and wild plants; with wild animal and plant diseases threatening biodiversity and ecosystem function. Conversely, biodiversity loss leads to increasing disease threats to people.

Watch again to learn what the conservation community, and Wildlife Vets International in particular, is doing to address the loss of biodiversity.

‍

‍

‍

Webinar 2 - “Preventing Pandemics: African Swine Fever and its cascading impacts in Asia.”

With Matthew Linkie, WCS Technical Director - Andes, Amazon, Orinoco Region

Watch the recording here.

The spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) through Asia has been devastating for the domestic pig industry and, not quite so well known, for Asian wild pig populations also. The outbreak has had a cascading impact on predators and plants in these areas. Dr Linkie has worked in Asia since the 1990s where he did his PhD in Sumatran tiger conservation. Most recently he was Deputy Country Director, WCS where his scope has included forests and climate, wildlife trafficking and One Health. As a member of the IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group, a Committee member for the Conservation Assured Tigers Standards (CATS) and, most recently, serving on the FAO/WOAH African Swine Fever Advisory Group to develop a regional One Health strategy, Dr Linkie is in a key position to tell us the One Health approach to dealing with a potential pandemic.

‍

‍

‍

Webinar 1 - “Does vaccinating domestic animals have a part to play in conserving wildlife?”

With Jane Hopper, Aspinall Foundation and WVI Veterinary Advisor

WVI Veterinary Advisor and Head of Veterinary Services at the Aspinall Foundation, Jane Hopper, talked about her contribution to research into the possibilities of vaccinating wild packs of African painted dogs against canine distemper virus. While dog owners typically come across canine distemper virus as part of their pet’s annual vaccination schedule, people are less likely to be aware of the threat the disease now poses to a wide range of wild carnivores.

Sadly this talk isn't available as it contained unpublished scientific data and potential conclusions. As soon as they are published we will let you know.

‍

‍

‍

‍

Further sessions are also planned, including the plight of Echo parakeets in Mauritius, and will be announced on this page - please come back for updates!

‍

‍