Solving Zoo Animal and Wildlife Health
Developing non-invasive tools for monitoring estrus and pregancy in the endangered species, pygmy hippo
Curing fugal infections in amphibians, like the Panamanian golden frog
Understanding the endemic chronic inflammatory disease in the island fox
Zoo and wildlife veterinarians are solving wildlife health issues
The world's animals are facing mass extinctions. Ecosystems are collapsing. And diseases affecting both animals and humans are emerging at an alarming rate. The Wild Animal Health Fund is here to help solve these issues and slow the extinction of zoo animals and wildlife.
Zoo and wildlife veterinarians worldwide are doing all they can to understand, diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases. They study reproduction and lifesaving measures for endangered species. And they strive to discover ways to improve the health and welfare of zoo animals and wildlife. This is all done through research. And the Wild Animal Health Fund is the resource for the critical work.
You have an opportunity to help
Consider donating to the Wild Animal Health Fund to support vital, peer-reviewed, and monitored health studies for zoo animals and wildlife. Do it now, before it’s too late. The extinction clock is ticking!
Most species of penguins evolved in colder climates, and as a result, they don’t have good immunity to diseases carried by insects. While some penguins live in climates warm enough to support insects, the West Nile virus is posing a threat. In a funded study, zoo and wildlife veterinarians worked out a protocol to vaccinate adult female penguins to optimize their chicks’ resistance to the West Nile virus.
It's studies like this one that brings new research to better the lives of species around the world. Learn about other research projects that are making a difference.
Read more about Endangered Animals
See Where Your Donation Goes
Your donations to the Wild Animal Health Fund go 100% toward saving zoo animals and wildlife by supporting research projects conducted by zoo and wildlife veterinarians all over the world.
Donations have supported Dr. Sonia Hernandez in her research on the effects of urbanization on the White Ibis. This research studied how the changing behavior of the White Ibis affects other birds, humans, and local parks, as well as infectious bird diseases.
To learn more about the projects that donations to the Wild Animal Health Fund have supported, visit Animals.
Leading the Way
For nearly 70 years, the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) has played a role in many zoo animal and wildlife medicine breakthroughs to prevent diseases, enhance treatments, and provide solutions.
Every day, zoo and wildlife veterinarians deal with the lack of knowledge available about the numerous species in their care. Who better to lead the way in finding solutions and cures to keep zoo animals and wildlife on our planet for generations to come.
By solving the unknowns, zoo and wildlife veterinarians have better chances of eliminating diseases, finding cures and advancing techniques to give these animals live long, healthy lives on our precious planet