• Conservation Medicine
• Animal Management, Husbandry & Health
• Restoration Ecology
• Professional Training
• University Partners
• Veterinary Residency
• Wilds "Alumni"
• Internships Available
• Conservation Education
• International Work
• Professional Partnerships

Professional Training

As the challenges of biodiversity conservation grow, it becomes increasingly important to train professionals–scientists, managers, and veterinarians–in the most modern and effective techniques. The Wilds has proven to be an important venue for much of that training, and the identification and development of learning opportunities lies at the core of nearly all programs at the Wilds. The staff of the Conservation and Science Division contributes to this aspect of our mission by working with university students, graduate students, and wildlife professionals from developing countries.

University Programs

Beginning in 1998, a partnership with Muskingum College (New Concord, OH) has led to the development of an innovative program in Conservation Science. A strong “cross fertilization” between Muskingum College faculty and the Wilds’ staff has led to the development of this “first in the nation” undergraduate program which emphasizes the inter-and multi-disciplinary nature of the global crisis for Biodiversity Conservation.

In addition to Muskingum College, the Wilds C&S staff work with undergraduate students from Hiram College, Miami University (Ohio), Dennison University, Marietta College, Hocking College, Ohio University, the Ohio State University and Michigan State University. These efforts include “in-class” lectures, on site demonstrations and laboratories, and presentations using “distance learning” technology.

Graduate Programs

Providing opportunities and training for graduate students is another area of special interest for the Wilds C&S staff. The Wilds’ veterinarians are regular lecturers at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and senior veterinary students (from a variety of Veterinary Schools) come to the Wilds for clinical externships where they learn first hand about Wildlife Medicine. Additionally, they have served as guest lecturers at a number of other Veterinary Schools (Cornell University, University of California at Davis, University of Virginia).

Numerous graduate students also have begun to collaborate with the Wilds, and have established projects that utilize the site for their thesis research. Studies ranging from Avian Ecology to Wetlands Biology are underway with students from a number of universities, across a range of disciplines.

Professional Training Programs

The Wilds currently sponsors two training programs for wildlife professionals.

A unique training program in Wildlife Epidemiology is being co-sponsored by the Wilds and the International Rhino Foundation. Based both at the Wilds and at The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the current program focuses on the numerous health and reproduction problems that have plagued international programs for breeding rhinoceros in captivity, and have ultimately limited their success. While this program is intended to bring the power of statistical analyses to bear on the complex variables present in rhino populations spread over a large number of institutions around the world, it has also resulted in a unique training opportunity that will prepare veterinary epidemiologists to assist in diverse conservation programs.

Increasingly, veterinarians are being enlisted in conservation programs for wildlife. While numerous post-doctoral training programs have been developed for zoological medicine, very few programs focus on the specific challenges of free-ranging wildlife. Taking advantage of its unique strengths, the Wilds has developed a post-doctoral training program in Wildlife and Conservation Medicine. This program is intended to develop professionals with the combination of skills that focus on individual animals and those targeting larger groups, leading to expertise that has direct application to wild populations.

International Training Programs

Perhaps the most valuable contribution that the Wilds makes toward training is the role that it plays in training international colleagues. It is becoming increasingly recognized that viable solutions for conservation problems must come from “within”, and that “building local capacity” is critical to the long-term success of conservation efforts.

An excellent example of this international training effort is the cooperative program between the Wilds and the Government of Mongolia to develop that country’s first Wildlife Veterinary Unit. Begun in 1998, the program has already proven productive with the training of Zuindin Namshir, Mongolia’s first Wildlife Veterinarian. Following 10 months of training at the Wilds, supplemented with supervised activities in Mongolia, Namshir is now working to establish laboratory facilities and partnerships with scientists which will directly support wildlife conservation in Central Asia.