Season's Greetings from VIEW
Our team at VIEW would like to extend our warmest holiday wishes to you. This season is a time to reflect, celebrate with loved ones, and express gratitude for the support that makes our mission possible. VIEW’s Rwandan wildlife veterinarian Dr. David Murenzi is gaining valuable hands-on clinical experience at Wildlife Safari in Oregon. He is honing his skills in using and loading dart guns, monitoring anesthesia in ungulates and carnivores, and developing clinical expertise in the medical treatment of elephants and rhinos. These enhanced skills will enable him to make a greater impact on wildlife conservation in Akagera National Park, Rwanda where he is based. Meanwhile, VIEW’s wildlife veterinarian Dr. Charline Rutagengwa based at the University of Rwanda (school of veterinary medicine) is currently conducting a study at Akagera National Park on pesticide exposure in collaboration with Yale University.
Dr. Murenzi refining his clinical veterinary skills through hands-on experience at the Oregon Wildlife Safari
In addition, we’ve had an incredible year filled with impactful workshops. December has been an exciting month, as we’ve wrapped up several trainings:
Problem-Based Learning: Tuberculosis in Buffalo – Dr. Kristen Tobin, a veterinary resident in Indianapolis, led an engaging case study and breakout discussions on managing tuberculosis in buffalo, organized by Dr. Rutagengwa.
Introduction to Megavertebrate Anesthesia – Dr. Benjamin Alcantar, Head Veterinarian at Wildlife Safari in Oregon, delivered a comprehensive lecture on the complexities of anesthetizing megavertebrates.
Workshop on Elephant and Rhinoceros Health: Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health Approaches – Facilitated by Drs. Emmanuel Irimaso, Charline Rutagengwa, and Richard Muvunyi, this training introduced veterinary students and Akagera National Park rangers to antimicrobial resistance and its critical implications for wildlife health.
Fluid Therapy Webinar - VIEW has implemented a webinar series for the Gibbon Health Working Group we established under a current grant to improve the health of gibbons being rehabilitated for return to the wild. This month, a remote webinar on fluid therapy was conducted for veterinarians from 19 gibbon centers located in 8 range countries.
These workshops have helped veterinary students and park rangers deepen their understanding of One Health concepts, emphasizing the interconnectedness of wildlife, livestock, humans, and the environment. The foundation of VIEW’s work is training, research, and workshops, providing early-career veterinarians with targeted, hands-on training and opportunities to collaborate with leading experts in wildlife health. Through these partnerships, VIEW empowers young professionals and seasoned scientists to work together to tackle the urgent challenges facing species like elephants and rhinos. Thank you for your continued support, which helps us build a brighter future for wildlife conservation.
The VIEW team is excited for 2025, with many promising projects and initiatives on the horizon. These include updates to our Wildlife Health Information System as we enter a new phase of growth, expanding our efforts in ongoing projects, and launching a few new ones. Keep an eye out for our 2024 Annual Report, where we’ll celebrate this year’s achievements and share a glimpse of what’s ahead. Together, we’re making a meaningful impact, and we look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Recap: 2024 Gibbon Husbandry, Health, & Conservation Conference in Raub, Malaysia
The conference brought together experts to collaborate on gibbon health and conservation. [Read Now]
Dr. Rutagengwa Investigates Pesticide Exposure Risks in Akagera National Park
Learn about the preliminary study on pesticide exposure in one of the oldest national parks in Africa. [Read Now]
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IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO GIVE
Thank you to everyone who supported us this Giving Tuesday! Your generosity is vital to protecting endangered wildlife and the ecosystems they call home. As we approach the end of the year, we’re still working toward our fundraising goal of $50,000—and thanks to a generous $25,000 matching gift, every dollar you give today will be doubled. The holidays are a time for giving, and your gift today helps us build a sustainable future for wildlife. At VIEW, we focus on wildlife health as a cornerstone of conservation. Thank you for being part of our mission. Every dollar counts, and we’re deeply grateful for your continued support.
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