JMICAWE supports wildlife veterinary training in Cambodia

Last month Heather Bacon of the JMICAWE travelled to Cambodia in a collaborative effort with Veterinary ophthalmologists from the Animal Health Trust and a UK zoo vet to examine and operate on several wild animals confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. This complements other work that JMICAWE is involved with in Asia relating to capacity building for the veterinary profession and collaboration with Animal Welfare organisations to help enhance awareness of Animal Welfare issues, their importance, and ways to deal with them

The Pnomh Tamao Zoological park in Cambodia is home to a variety of wild animals, many rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. The charities Wildlife Alliance and Free The Bears both operate wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facilities within the zoo grounds.

The visit allowed a number of confiscated animals with vision and dental problems to be evaluated, and in some cases operated on to restore vision. Additionally the visit allowed local Cambodian Vets the unique opportunity to experience referral level wildlife medicine, and to discuss cases directly with us.

Heather Bacon of the JMICAWE said “Trips like this have a huge impact on animal welfare – not only do they allow us to contribute directly to the welfare of these animals which are confiscated from trade, the visits help us to experience first-hand the challenges of veterinary training and wildlife rehabilitation in developing countries, and to exchange information about current treatments and approaches to veterinary medicine and animal husbandry.”