WVI has been part of the annual Operation Avian initiative and its previous incarnations for well over a decade. The initiative is fundamentally about addressing a practical constraint in bird conservation: the limited availability of veterinary expertise in avian medicine and surgery. Delivered in partnership with RAKSHA Jaipur and Indian academic and government institutions, the programme focuses on equipping veterinarians and conservation professionals with the skills needed to manage injured birds, with a particular focus on threatened species.

In January 2026, Operation Avian brought together around 100 participants in Jaipur for a five-day training programme. This combined conservation context, clinical teaching, and hands-on experience. The model is deliberately structured: a conservation-focused day to frame the ecological challenges, followed by lectures and wetlabs, and finally a smaller group clinical placement working in RAKSHA’s bird rescue operations.

This layered approach reflects a simple premise: conservation outcomes depend, in part, on whether frontline professionals have the technical capacity to respond effectively to wildlife health challenges.

Addressing a recognised skills gap

The programme originated from field observations during avian rehabilitation work during Makar Sankranti (a traditional festival marking the end of winter) when birds and, to a lesser extent, flying mammals, are caught in kite strings coated in glass powder. WVI was originally invited to provide surgical skills and knowledge for non-pigeon species, and particularly threatened species like vultures, in the early years.

Our Veterinary Partners identified a significant issue in the limited clinical training in avian medicine available in India. This is a real problem. Many veterinary curricula include little or no practical training with wild birds, despite their relevance to both biodiversity conservation and public health.

Since 2023, when WVI first partnered with Indian NGO RAKSHA Jaipur, Operation Avian (OA) has trained over 270 veterinarians, alongside veterinary students and conservation practitioners. As OA’s reputation has grown, so has demand; the 2026 course reached capacity several months in advance.

Participants now routinely include staff from major conservation organisations such as the Wildlife Trust of India, the government-run Wildlife Institute of India and other government veterinary services. This mixed cohort appears to be a strength of the model, enabling closer alignment between research, policy, and clinical practice.

From training to institutional change

One of the more tangible outcomes to date is at the institutional level. Following its involvement in Operation Avian, Apollo College of Veterinary Medicine in Jaipur has incorporated avian medicine into its degree programme. This is a notable shift, given the historical absence of this subject in many curricula.

There are also early indications of improved collaboration between veterinarians and conservation biologists. For example, participants working on species recovery programmes reported that shared training has improved coordination in handling, treatment, and post-release decision-making.

Feedback from participants is consistently positive. However, as with all training initiatives, it is difficult, and perhaps still early days, to identify evidence of systematic long-term changes in clinical practice or conservation outcomes.

Malyasri, a vulture researcher with the Wildlife Institute of India, wanted to know more about avian dynamics, how to handle birds and how to support the state vets she works with in providing first aid to any raptors that she comes across during her research. Malyasri attended the course with several vets from Himachal Pradesh and, while they all learnt valuable information and skills, they also strengthened their partnerships and feel they can support each other’s objectives better. Since they have returned home, the Veterinary University in Palampur has expressed an interest in hosting a similar workshop. A further two organisations have expressed an interest in delivering something similar to OA.

Relevance to threatened species

Operation Avian remains closely aligned to species recovery priorities in India. Vulture conservation is a central example. Populations declined sharply due to extensive exposure to the veterinary drug diclofenac, which is toxic to scavenging birds. Despite a ban on veterinary use, recent research suggests that diclofenac remains widely available, accounting for a significant proportion of NSAID sales in some regions.

Improving veterinary awareness of this issue is therefore critical. The programme promotes the use of safer alternatives such as meloxicam and tolfenamic acid, alongside broader training in avian clinical care.

The scope has expanded in recent years to include the conservation and care of other species of concern, including the Critically Endangered great Indian bustard and lesser florican. This reflects a wider recognition that veterinary input is relevant across multiple conservation contexts, from disease management to rehabilitation and release.

Practical training in a high-demand context

A distinctive feature of Operation Avian is its integration with real-world case loads. As training coincides with the Makar Sankranti festival, during which large numbers of birds are injured by kite strings, this guarantees a high volume of clinical cases, allowing participants to apply their learning under supervision.

The training design has been refined over successive years. Smaller group sizes in wetlabs, live demonstration of procedures, and improved access to diagnostic materials have all contributed to more effective learning.

Building local ownership

WVI and RAKSHA Jaipur have built a robust local team that will now lead the development of OA27. This is a superb testament to WVI’s Veterinary Partners, particularly Matthew Rendle, who, together with the RAKSHA team, have provided leadership and support to Indian colleagues to the extent that, after four years of joint delivery, we are delighted to say that Operation Avian is transitioning towards full local ownership. The partnership between RAKSHA Jaipur and Indian institutions has strengthened to the point where international involvement is no longer required for core delivery. This shift is partly strategic. Locally led programmes are often better positioned to secure funding and respond to national priorities. WVI will continue to provide technical support where needed but is now able to step back from direct involvement.

Looking ahead

Operation Avian demonstrates a scalable approach to addressing a specific constraint in conservation practice. By focusing on skills, networks, and institutional change, it contributes to strengthening the broader system within which species recovery takes place. There is clear potential to replicate this model in other regions of India, particularly where similar gaps in veterinary capacity exist.

We are looking forward to supporting OA as it continues to grow and starts to be replicated in other areas.  

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