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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.



Day 1

Arrival and transfer to first night hotel – Wildebeest Eco camp

Group dinner at the hotel



Days 2 & 3

Travel to main accommodation and teaching location – WRTI

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 2025 programme will run between 17th February – 6th March.

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

£2899

Last few spots remaining are being offered with a 20% discount!

Course Location 2025 – Kenya, Naivasha

Wildlife Research Training Institute
Located in Naivasha, Kenya, the Wildlife Research Training Institute Campus will be host to several of our lectures and practical work for the 2025 course. The Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) was established with the understanding that a greater focus needs to be placed on providing relaiable scientific information on emerging wildlife conservation and management challenges.

Hells Gate National Park
Named for the intense geothermal activity within its boundaries, the Hell's Gate National Park is a remarkable quarter of the Great Rift Valley and one of our main sites for field based practical content delivery in 2025. Spectacular scenery including the towering cliffs, water-gouged gorges, stark rock towers, scrub clad volcanoes and belching plumes of geothermal steam make it one of the most atmospheric Parks in Africa. Hell’s Gate is an ideal venue for a day trip from Nairobi where, in addition to the bio-diversity that includes raptors, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, rock climbing and a natural spa.

Course Organisers

Dr 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. Pradeep Malik

Professor

Wildlife Institute of India

Prof. Parag Nigam

Professor

Wildlife Institute of India

Prof. Richard Kock

Lecturer in Wildlife Health and Emerging Disease

Royal Veterinary College

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. Tony Sainsbury

Senior Lecturer, Institute of Zoology

Zoological Society of London

Dr. Rajan Amin

Senior Fellow, Conservation Programmes

Zoological Society of London

Alexandra Thomas

Wildlife Health Bridge Course Manager

Zoological Society of London

Stories

26th February 2024 in 2024

26th February 2024 – by Dr Hamza Nadeem

A Bittersweet farewell: As the sun rose on the final day of our wildlife conservation course, a mixture of emotions filled my heart. Excitement for the day ahead mingled with…
Read More
25th February 2024 in 2024

25th February 2024 – by Dr Tom Tran

It has been many moons. The end of the course is approaching. I am both deeply saddened for everyone in our cohort will soon part ways. But there is no…
Read More
24th February 2024 in 2024

24th February 2024 – by Dr Siva Ranjani

The day started at dawn, 6.30 am with an aromatic chai and coffee. The guys selected for the darting team practiced with tremendous effort, great excitement, and hope. After a…
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 2024 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.