Within a short span, AIZWV has published works enriched with comprehensive scientific information on various aspects of wildlife, including reproduction, conservation strategies, nutrition, restraint and translocation, diseases and disorders, and training programs for wildlife husbandry and health management. These efforts have been invaluable to field professionals involved in wildlife health management and researchers conducting studies on different facets of wildlife conservation.
The Association’s publications have bridged critical gaps in scientific knowledge about Indian wildlife biodiversity, both in in-situ and ex-situ contexts. AIZWV has pioneered national and international workshops, symposia, and seminars, providing a platform for zoo and wildlife veterinarians, academicians, scientists, research scholars, and heads of veterinary science institutions. These events facilitate discussions on challenges, improvements, and advancements in wildlife conservation, management, health monitoring, and disease surveillance.
Previously, no such scientific, non-governmental organization existed in the field of veterinary science within the country. The Association was the first to organize training programs on ultrasound diagnostics in zoo animals (at NZP, Delhi, in 2001), visual health evaluation in Indian elephants (at the Zoological Garden, Trivandrum, Kerala, in 2002), and snake handling (at the College of Veterinary Science, Bhubaneswar, in 2013). It has documented species-specific food and feeding schedules, breeding biology profiles, conservation strategies for wild mammals, and guidelines for hand-rearing and weaning young animals.
Additionally, the Association analyzed studbook data to establish the longevity of captive elephants and rhinoceroses. It also compiled extensive epidemiological data on diseases affecting free-ranging and captive wildlife (mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians), which was published as a book in 2003. A standard proforma for transient and quarantine animal health certification was developed.
Recently, the Association conducted a study titled “Study and Evaluation of Elephant (Elephas maximus) Mortality in Elephant Reserves: An Overview of Species Health Status”, sponsored the Directorate of Project Elephant, Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi. Furthermore, the Association published a book titled “Indian Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Mammalian, Reptilian, Amphibian, and Avian Species”.
Today, much of the captive and free-ranging wildlife network in the country benefits from the scientific information and resources provided AIZWV, making it a cornerstone for wildlife conservation and management efforts.
Activities of AIZWV
- Produced publications on wildlife reproduction and conservation prospects, nutrition, restraint and translocation, diseases and disorders.
- Supported training programmes in wildlife husbandry and health management for field professionals engaged in practicing health management of captive and free range wild animals
- The Association produces publication “Indian Wildlife Yearbook” that aspires to enrich scientific information and knowledge in respect of Indian wildlife biodiversity and conservation medicine in in situ and ex situ environments
Some Special mentions
- The AIZWV was the first to conduct a training program on ultrasound diagnosis in the Zoo Animals at the National Zoo, Delhi in 2001),
- Supported a program for visual health evaluation in Indian elephants at the Zoological Garden Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala in 2002
- Supported the program for techniques for handling snakes at the College of Veterinary Science, Bhubaneswar in 2013.
- Supported publication on species-wise nutrition and feeding standards
- Supported publication on epidemiological disease occurrences information in free range and captive wildlife in the form of ba ook in 2003.
- Supported the MoEf&CC for the “Study and Evaluation of Elephant (Elephas maximus) Mortality in Elephant Reserves- An Overview of Species Health Status”- 2014
