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Rwandan wildlife capacity building project
VIEW has been working in Rwanda with in-country partners, University of Rwanda Veterinary School and Akagera National Park (ANP) to offer capacity-strengthening opportunities to early career veterinarians and veterinary students aspiring to work in the field of conservation medicine. We are also creating a comprehensive wildlife health program and establishing a disease surveillance plan for Akagera’s wildlife.Â
Education outreach and seminars: We conducted multiple seminars and workshops on wildlife health and disease surveillance, training over 400 Rwandan wildlife professionals.Â
Elephant and Rhinoceros Health Program (ERHP): This ongoing program aims to enhance the capacity of Rwandan veterinarians and conservation professionals in monitoring and sustaining the health of Rwanda’s elephants and rhinos. In the long term, the ERHP aims to develop a comprehensive wildlife health, research and disease surveillance program for elephants and rhinos in ANP, with potential for scaling to Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks. Our collaboration with ANP has resulted in the creation of a Wildlife Health Manual as a reference specific to the park’s needs.
Mentoring early-career veterinarians and veterinary students: In the past year, VIEW employed two local wildlife veterinarians, David Murenzi and Charline Rutagengwa, who are contributing to conservation efforts in Rwanda. Additionally, VIEW supported early-career Rwandan veterinarians and veterinary students by aiding in grant applications, providing advice on research projects, and establishing an active wildlife health network to share opportunities and exchange ideas.
Empowering the next generation
For the sustainability of any conservation program it is vital to have local people committed to the cause. That is why we believe it is important to foster stewardship in the next generation.  Explore our work in Kenya HERE.
Education workshops and community outreach: VIEW, together with Institute of Primate Research, conducted a total of four workshops in Namunyak Conservancy, northern Kenya. This included two community workshops and two individual workshops with Oromoidei and Noolotoro primary schools.Â
Providing financial support for young girls: With the support of Conservation Nation, VIEW has provided financial support to three girls from Samburu, Kenya, for a second consecutive year, offering scholarships to further their secondary education. Our team remains dedicated to assisting and encouraging these girls in their educational endeavors as well as expanding the program to continue offering an annual scholarship for aspiring Samburu children.Â
VIEW’s innovative electronic disease surveillance system
Wildlife Health Information System (WHIS), the first wildlife medical record database tailored for endangered wildlife.
Integration of desktop and mobile versions: Based on user feedback, we enhanced WHIS through streamlined workflow and data entry and the integration of desktop and mobile versions.Â
Digitizing wildlife health information: WHIS, a digitized health information tool, securely stores data in a central location, supporting collaborative efforts among wildlife professionals for efficient data collection and sharing aimed at wildlife populations. VIEW is partnering with various stakeholders to establish a comprehensive health data repository for grizzly bears in Greater Yellowstone, elephants in Asia, and wildlife populations in Oregon. The initiative aims to contribute to the development of management protocols and preventive measures by utilizing accurate information.
Looking Forward to 2024
Thank you for contributing to VIEW's success in 2023! We achieved our Giving Tuesday goal and matched up to $30,000 in donations with your support. As we look ahead to 2024, let's make it an even greater year for wildlife health and conservation. Please continue supporting VIEW's initiatives to expand programs, engage communities, and make lasting strides in wildlife health and disease prevention.
Happy New Year!