As winter draws in for us in the Northern hemisphere, wildlife lovers can reflect on the safari of a lifetime that they enjoyed in June.

It ended with viewing first hand a domestic dog vaccination clinic thanks to Wildlife Vets International, our patron and TV vet Steve Leonard, Painted Dog Conservation, the endangered African painted (or hunting/wild) dogs of Zimbabwe and the generosity of leading veterinary pharmaceutical companies.

The safari, organised by Spencer Scott Travel as the first of its kind, was hosted by Steve Leonard and contributed financially to the survival of African painted dogs and the work of the Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) charity, of which Steve is also patron. Special timing ensured an intimate experience, coinciding with when dogs were more localised and a good chance of seeing pups, locating dens and observing pack dynamics. The group was rewarded with fantastic dog encounters in the stunning Mana Pools.

As well as a schedule straight out of a tourist brochure – Victoria Falls, Mana Pools and Hwange National Park – there was a serious aspect experiencing conservation on the front line with firsthand experience of WVI’s domestic dog vaccination programme. Guests’ last morning involved visiting one of the local villages to see a mobile domestic dog vaccination clinic run in co-operation between WVI, the local government vets and PDC.

The group saw domestic dogs (and a few cats) being vaccinated against rabies and canine distemper vaccination to stop disease spreading to painted dogs. In addition, minor injuries were dealt with and some were castrated and even a few castrated.

Small animal and TV vet Steve, and wife Cathy, lead Zimbabwean vets and were well equipped thanks to contributions from leading companies MSD Animal Health and Henry Schein Animal Health.

Please scroll down to see the complete list of generous companies.“Compared to our last visit, both Cathy and I were better prepared,” said Steve on his blog (www.steveleonard.co.uk )  ”We had another batch of amazing donations from multiple medical companies that made our lives so much easier such as battery operated hair clippers – essential!”Back to back neutering for me and Cathy over four days saw us spay six bitches and castrate over 60 dogs! My back was in bits and I’m not over 6 months pregnant like my awesome wife! It was a great effort once again by all involved.”Over 840 dogs and a couple of cats were vaccinated against rabies. The dogs were also vaccinated against distemper, parvovirus and other lethal diseases, protecting them and the wildlife they come into contact with.

The vaccination and neutering clinics fit into the suite of services that PDC offers the local communities in the name of painted dogs. Community-based conservation models aim to provide benefits to both the local communities and wildlife to achieve long-term conservation success. The lack of disease in the domestic dogs around the park not only protects the wildlife in Hwange National Park but increases the welfare of both the domestic dogs and the people they alongside.

The clinics are well supported; it is estimated that over 70% of the dog population are vaccinated. The increase in positive attitudes towards painted dogs is key to the success of PDC’s other conservation activities and is one of the major outcomes of this project.

The whole safari was based around the science and activities of conservation professionals.

PDC Managing Director Peter Blinston and PDC field officers ensured a memorable safari and guests were joined for the first few days by PDC founder, Dr Greg Rasmussen. Greg has recently left PDC to continue his research with the new Painted Dog Research Trust.

“As patron of Painted Dog Conservation (PDC), I was able to share my experiences of one of Africa’s most endangered large carnivores (second only to the Ethiopian Wolf) and to inform the group about the amazing work done by PDC helping to preserve this beautiful animal and the local communities that live along side it,” said Steve.

The rest of the trip was spent in Hwange National Park, seeing the dogs there and the incredible work done by PDC to support them and the local communities around the park.

Thanks to: MSD Animal Health, Henry Schein Animal Health, Millpledge Vet Ltd, Vétiquonol UK , Burtons Veterinary Equipment, MediMark Scientific, Meadows Animal Healthcare, Norbrook UK, Virbac UK, Safe4 Disinfectants for their kind donations and Yorkshire Wildlife Park Foundation and NEZS Chester Zoo for funding this project.

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Our Zoo

The recent BBC docu-drama about George Mottershead’s adventures starting up Chester Zoo featured a number of animals.

These animals came from Amazing Animals, trained for the film industry and the vet on site, at all times when animals were involved, was WVI’s founder, director and avian vet, Andrew Greenwood.

While filming, Andrew managed to squeeze in a trip to Mauritius where he reviewed disease surveillance protocols and provided veterinary expertise in planning their upcoming projects.

For his report, please visit the project page and download a summary of what comes next, here.

WVI in the Sumatra

One of the most exciting veterinary developments in tiger conservation in recent years was the development of the Sumatran Tiger Health Forum (STHF). It was formed in September 2013 to initiate and coordinate disease surveillance activities for tigers across the whole of Sumatra. The first annual meeting had been scheduled for September 2014, but it has had to be postponsed owing mainly to the untimely death of its’ chair Dr Retno and the current lack of a replacement.

There are discussions with key forum members and Taman Safari to urge rescheduling for spring of 2015 at which a new chair can be appointed and the work of the forum re-started.

This is enormously frustrating although understandable, but we view this as simply a delay rather than a cancellation of the forum.

The Sumatran Tiger Health Forum was established as an Indonesian organisation with expert guidance from outside – currently mainly from WVI.

As such WVI views our involvement with the forum and its work as a long term project and so we will continue our support for as long as it is welcome.

Can you help and save the tiger?

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pledge to raise funds for WVI and win a trip with a zoo vet. Contact the office for more information: info@wildlifevetsinternational.org

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