WILDLIFE HEALTH: THE MISSING PIECE OF THE CONSERVATION PUZZLE

This December, our main fundraiser of the year, the Big Give Christmas Challenge, will focus on the vital need to put Wildlife Health at the heart of conservation.

Please look out for our campaign, which will run from 2nd-9th December 2025.

Thank you in advance for sharing, talking about it and giving!

Read more bout why Wildlife Health is the Missing Piece of the Conservation Puzzle;

Read more about the development of new rapid diagnostic tests for canine distemper virus in wild carnivores;

Read more about the need for better treatment of cold-stunned sea turtles washing up on UK beaches;

Read more about the need for ongoing education to support the recovery of vulture numbers in India.

ESSENTIAL TRAINING FOR RANGERS IN BELIZE

Today, jaguar and puma numbers in Belize are relatively healthy in comparison to other populations in Central America. But that in itself creates a problem: increased risk of conflict between big cats and people living on the fringes of protected forests up and down the country. The tense relationships that result have led to targeted hunting and persecution of cats, underlining the need to make sure rangers can safely capture, immobilize and relocate them when necessary. In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests cat numbers are declining, making it all the more important that every opportunity is taken to gain insight into their health status, and fit radio-collars which can then monitor their movements and distribution. The kind of information this reveals has the potential not just to support the health of Belize’s big cats, but to inform the conservation of more fragmented jaguar and puma populations in otherCentral and South American countries.

This is where WVI has stepped in to help. Vet ElliottSimpson-Brown, who has more than a decade’s experience anaesthetising big cats, began working with local NGO, Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative (CSFI), almost two years ago, training the Ranger Team in order to embed safe and measured responses to cats involved in conflict situations. Following the implementation of a number of WVI protocols (and the successful capture and collaring of several jaguars), Elliott returned earlier this year, to take the training to the next level. As a dedicated and professional NGO, CSFI is trusted by theBelize government and recognised as well-placed to manage conflict cases, reducing the risk of cats being hunted and shot. On-going training by WVI is key to building the capacity and reputation of the Ranger Team and making a real conservation impact, and we hope Elliott will be able to take things further in 2026, funding permitting.

His work this year included training in safe trapping; safe handling and use of fire arms for remote darting, including preparation and discharge of darts; how to approach trapped animals, and how to properly maintain the equipment. He also taught the team essential elements of large cat anatomy relevant to anaesthesia and health assessments, as well as covering aspects of pharmacology, including practicing drug calculations.

At the end of what was an intensive two weeks training for the Ranger Team, each member was evaluated in key areas, including safe darting techniques, anaesthesia and recovery, emergency response, clinical examination and post mortem procedures. Receiving their official certificates at CSFI HQ marked the moment when the rangers became the first certified wildlife response team in Belize with professional training in handling big cat incidents and human-wildlife conflict. Not only is the team now equipped to safely dart and capture cats; they are also ready to carry out essential health screening.

This is an important milestone for Belize, which currently lacks any significant in-country capacity in conservation medicine. While creating safer futures for jaguars, pumas and the people who share their landscape locally, the work of Elliott and the Ranger Team also has the potential to help protect more seriously threatened big cat populations in neighbouring countries.

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