Wildlife Vets International
Veterinary support for conservation worldwide
WVI currently supports the following projects
The Jambi Tiger Project
The Jambi Tiger Project, run by the Zoological Society of London, is studying the population dynamics of tigers and their prey in central Sumatra, in order to understand how degraded habitat may be managed to limit the impact on tiger populations. This is an innovative partnership between the logging industry and conservationists, with a long term aim to develop a network of managed wildlife zones that allow the co-existence of wildlife and agriculture.WVI is providing a veterinary advisor to the Jambi Tiger Project. Dr. Lewis's work involves on-site training of project staff and local vets in the use of field anaesthesia techniques for tigers, tapirs, pigs and other species in order to fit radiocollars. He has also provided training to National Park staff in the management and care of wildlife confiscated from poachers. Through providing veterinary support field workers can gain detailed information about how tigers use their environment, while protecting the welfare and health of the animals being studied.
This is a long term project with funding which expires at the end of 2005. With extra funds WVI could continue to provide much needed veterinary support to this important project.
Learn more about the Jambi Tiger Project
Owston's Civet Conservation Program
The Owston's Civet Conservation Program (OCP) has worked to conserve small carnivores for the last nine years. OCP works closely with a number of zoo associations, conservation NGOs and scientists on implementing the conservation of small carnivores in Vietnam.
OCP's mission is to develop and implement an integrated approach to conservation of small carnivores in Vietnam using sustainable methods and both ex situ and in situ conservation techniques.
WVI has helped OCP further their objective of rehabilitating small carnivores confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade by providing veterinary products, advice, and surgical implements.
Endangered Primate Rescue Center
The EPRC, based at Cuc Phuong National Park, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, breeding, research and conservation of the endangered primates of Vietnam.
The Center compromises more than 30 cages, 4 houses, two semi-wild enclosures and one quarantine station. It houses and takes care of over 100 animals, with representatives of 16 Indochinese primate taxa.
One of EPRC's major goals is to establish small stable captive populations of the most threatened endemic Vietnamese primates, and to re-introduce them to their natural habitats. They have acheived considerable success in captive breeding of little known species.
In cooporation with the Frankfurt Zoological Society, EPRC biologists have conducted field surveys on some of the world's rarest primate species that have provided valueable baseline information for urgent and focused conservation measures for these species.
WVI is providing field anaesthesia equipment and training in how to use it to the Center's staff. This will allow them to further develop their field work, and assist in the rehabilitation of confiscated primates.