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INTERVENTIONS IN WILD ANIMAL HEALTH

About IWAH

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), The Royal Veterinary College, The University of Edinburgh (UoE), The University of Melbourne (UoM), Toronto Zoo, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) have been motivated to run this course in recognition of the need to conserve globally important biodiversity in South Asia, East Africa, and other biodiverse areas, which are also a hotspot for wildlife diseases and conflict. These wildlife diseases are relatively unstudied and unchecked, therefore is an important need for greater expertise in, and greater numbers of, wildlife health professionals to tackle them. Such wildlife health professionals are needed to undertake interventions in the health, welfare and conservation of wild animals, to investigate emerging infectious diseases and to ensure human well-being.

Educational. Inspiring. Career-defining.

Dr Meera Mokashi - 2023

Very informative, hands-on training, [the] technical inputs [were] valuable.

Dr Ravikant S Khobragade - 2017

I choose to attend the course to develop my capacity in wildlife diseases surveillance. My experience was educating, engaging, and memorable.

Dr Yitawe Wungak - 2016

The main thing I learned [was] deep insights into wildlife conservation, diseases, human-animal interactions, and the complexities of conflicts between them. What I valued most was being part of an international passionate and dedicated group of fellow veterinarians and educators

Dr Inge Thas - 2023

Programme

Subjects

Wild Animal population monitoring

Wildlife Health and Field Disease Investigation

Wildlife Crime and Forensic Investigation

Wild Animal Restraint and Anaesthesia

Participants will carry out a variety of practical and theoretical work, where they are given as many chances as possible to have a hands-on learning experience. Tuition will be carried out in the field to develop skills in human-livestock wildlife conflict management, disease outbreak investigation, forensic investigation and monitoring of the health of declining species. It will include techniques for field monitoring of wildlife (using a range of techniques including animal tracks and signs, dung/pellet identification and quantification, census techniques, camera trapping, and radio telemetry), biological management, visual health monitoring of free-living animals, best practice in wild animal anaesthesia techniques, demonstration and hands-on practice, clinical examination in the field, sampling techniques for infectious disease screening, pathological examination in the field, and disease surveillance scenarios.

Example Programme



Day 1

Arrival and transfer to first night hotel

Group dinner at the hotel



Days 2 & 3

Travel to main accommodation and teaching location

Introductions from staff and students

Welcome dinner

Introduction to the course and field orientation visit



Days 4 & 5

Lectures and practical sessions on wild animal population monitoring

Practical sessions include camera trapping, radio telemetry, sign survey and line transects



Days 6 & 7

Lectures and practical sessions on field disease investigation

Investigation of a mock disease outbreak scenario in the field

Preparation, planning, and delivery of a pathological examination in a field setting



Days 8 & 9

Sessions covering aspects of the human-wildlife interface, including engagement with local communities



Day 10

Lectures and practical sessions on aquatic animal biology and disease investigation

Practical sessions including amphibian capture techniques and population monitoring



Day 11

Lecture and practical sessions on wildlife crime and forensics

Practical sessions include an identification session of wildlife parts and products, and mock crime scene investigation and management



Day 12

Day off with optional trip offsite to local sites of interest



Days 13, 14 & 15

Lectures and practical sessions on best practical wild animal restraint and anaesthesia

Practical sessions include restraint and anaesthesia of free-living wildlife, and darting from a moving vehicle



Day 16

Handling and identification of local species, covering a variety of taxa

Multiple choice question assessment



Day 17

Individual presentations on relevant case studies

End of course awards ceremony and farewell social event



Day 18

Departure for airport

Timing

The IWAH 2026 programme will run in February 2026.
Exact dates to be announced at a later date.

Assessment

Written assignment, Field skill evaluation.

Eligibility & Costs

Candidates ideally have a recognised veterinary qualification to attend this course.  Veterinary students in their clinical years of study may be considered if spaces become available.

MVetSci Conservation
Medicine Students

 

This course may be taken as an elective course within the Conservation Medicine MVetSci.

Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) Students

 

A number of places are also available for veterinarians who are not enrolled in the Conservation Medicine programme and wish to apply as CPD candidates.

 

Course fee for CPD students a total of

£3599

 

Please register your interest for 2026 by contacting us below!

Course Location 2026 – Rajasthan, India

Exact location to be announced at a later date

Rajasthan, known as the "Land of Kings" and India's largest desert state, is a captivating destination in northern India that mesmerise travellers from around the world. The state presents a harmonious blend of lively cities, hospitable locals, exquisite cuisine, majestic palaces, and grand forts. Rajasthan offers a perfect travel experience, seamlessly fusing timeless allure with contemporary charm. This enchanting state beckons you with a symphony of vibrant cultures, a canvas painted with tales of valour, and landscapes that will steal your heart.

Course Organisers

Prof. Lee Skerratt

Associate Professor

University of Melbourne

Dr Neil Anderson

Programme Director

University of Edinburgh

Dr Nic Masters

Director of Wildlife Health

Toronto Zoo

Prof. Parag Nigam

Professor

Wildlife Institute of India

Dr Stuart Patterson

Senior Lecturer in Wild Animal Health

Royal Veterinary College

Dr Roselyn Onyuro

Deputy Director - Training

Wildlife Research & Training Institute

Dr Francis Gakuya

Senior Principal Scientist

Wildlife Research & Training Institute

Dr Isaac Lekoolol

Senior Veterinary Officer

Kenya Wildlife Service

Dr Amanda Guthrie

Head of Wildlife Health Services

Zoological Society of London

Dr. Rajan Amin

Senior Fellow, Conservation Programmes

Zoological Society of London

Dr Alexandra Thomas

Wildlife Health Bridge Course Manager

Zoological Society of London

Previous Collaborators

Prof Anna Meredith

Professor of Zoological and Conservation Medicine

University of Edinburgh

Prof Richard Kock

Professor of Wildlife Health and Emerging Diseases

RVC

Dr Tony Sainsbury

Wild Animal Health Consultant

Prof Pradeep Malik

Professor

Wildlife Institute of India

Stories

26th February 2025 in 2025

2nd March 2025 – by Drs Mercy Chagara and Amy Sledziona

A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Veterinarian Trainee: Observing the Darting and Health Check of a Common Zebra by Mercy As the sun rises over the savannah, casting…
Read More
26th February 2025 in 2025

1st March 2025 – by Drs Balaji Chandrashekar and Alexandra Carleton

After 11 days of immersive learning at the Intervention in Wild Animal Health Course in WRTI, Kenya, our team had a well-deserved day off to recharge. With fresh energy and…
Read More
25th February 2025 in 2025

25th February 2025 – by Drs Annaliese Johnson and Duncan Aminga

As the Swahili saying goes, "Siku njema huonekana asubuhi"—A good day is seen in the morning. And what a great start we had! With no pressure, we eased into our…
Read More
More stories

For news and updates

If you are interested in receiving updates about the course including dates and locations please sign up using this form

Applications

If you are eligible and wish to apply for a space on our 2026 course please contact us at WildlifeHealthBridge@ioz.ac.uk. 

Please include your name, qualifications, and a copy of your CV so we can confirm eligibility.