Zoo vet training in Indonesia
Wild Welfare were thrilled to be back in Indonesia recently, training zoo vets from across the country at a veterinary course at Bandung Zoo, West Java.
The training course was held in collaboration with The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education – part of the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in the UK, the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association (PDHI) and the Indonesian Zoo Association (PKBSI).
In total, 27 veterinary personnel from 17 PKBSI member zoos attended the course and were able to receive first-class veterinary training. The course content included animal welfare and enrichment, taught by Wild Welfare’s field director, Dave Morgan.
“Following the two-day training, I’d hope attendees will have a much better understanding of positive animal welfare in their day-to-day veterinary practice within the zoos where they work,” said Mr Morgan.
Tuition also covered preventative medicine, animal behaviour and specialised avian and reptilian medicine – “the avian and reptilian techniques were new ground for many of them,” Mr Morgan added. Attendees were taught by Dr Heather Bacon from the University of Edinburgh, Dr Ligaya Tumbelaka of PKBSI and Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia, Dr H Wisnu of PKBSI and Dr Wiwiek Bagja of PDHI. Attendees also learnt useful practical skills on training equipment, such as catheterisation and blood sampling.
At the end of the course there was agreement by all collaborators for another event to be run next year!
