VIEW - Veterinary Initiative for Endangered Wildlife

03/11/2025

Happy International One Health Day!

Today we appreciate the complex interconnectedness between animal, human, and environmental health and well-being! As scientists, veterinarians, and conservationists, we recognize that disturbance of intact ecosystems can drive the emergence of new diseases or increase the prevalence and geographic spread of known pathogens and parasites. As human activity expands into once wild places, this can also have a downstream effect on people as the interface between wild animals, domestic livestock, and human communities grows ever closer.

Protecting the environment also protects animal and human health and wellness.

29/10/2025

Do you know how to tell Asian and African savannah elephants apart?

Here are just a few ways:

SIZE: African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) are the largest and heaviest living land animal! Adult males can reach 11 ft. in height and weigh as much as 7 tons! In comparison, Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) adult males can reach 9 ft. tall and weigh up to 5 tons.

EARS: Asian elephant ears are smaller and round in shape. African savannah elephants have larger, fan-shaped ears. Some people think Asian elephant ears look like India, while African savannah elephant ears look like the African continent.

TRUNKS: Both Asian and African elephants use their prehensile trunks to forage and manipulate objects in their environment, but did you know their trunk anatomy is different? African elephant trunks have two “finger-like” projections at the tip, which allows them to pinch or grasp objects. In contrast, Asian elephants have only one finger-like projection and a bulbous end, and they tend to use their trunk in a wrapping motion around food items, rather than gripping with the tip. You can read more about their distinct trunk anatomy here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-023-04945-5 #:~:text=Trunk%20musculature%20consists%20of%20~40%2C000,objects%20with%20their%20trunk12.

TUSKS: Usually, only Asian elephant males have tusks, while both male and female African elephants can sport tusks. African elephants also tend to have larger tusks overall!

23/10/2025

Dr. Charline Rutagengwa, VIEW Veterinarian, Rwanda and Dr. Emmanuel Irimaso, University of Rwanda, UR, had the privilege of representing VIEW at the 2nd International Wildlife Scientific Conference, hosted by the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha, Kenya (23rd–25th September 2025). They engaged in discussions with colleagues from across the region.
Dr. Charline shared insights from the ongoing research on pesticide residues in Akagera National Park, the conference was above all an opportunity to learn. They gained valuable perspectives on innovative approaches in wildlife health surveillance, human–wildlife coexistence, and how scientific evidence can be better integrated into conservation policy. One key lesson was the importance of cross-border collaboration and harmonized monitoring to effectively address shared challenges.
We are grateful to WRTI and all the partners for convening such a rich platform for exchange and collaboration and to Conservation Nation for making our participation possible through their generous support.

20/10/2025

Well into the late summer, our on-the-ground project partners in Asia were hard at work conducting elephant field sampling activities. This field sampling is being undertaken for a project on elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) hemorrhagic disease – a potentially deadly syndrome in young Asian elephants. Blood is sampled from elephants to measure their antibodies against this virus. This project aims to better understand the impact of this disease and potential risk factors in the region. This study is led by VIEW-supported veterinarian and PhD student Dr. Jenn Yu as a component of her training, and was made possible with support from Morris Animal Foundation through a Wildlife Health Training Fellowship.

04/10/2025

🌍🐾 World Animal Day 🐾🌍

Today we honor the incredible animals that make our world richer, from the gentle giants to the most elusive predators. Every life plays a role in balancing ecosystems and reminding us of our responsibility to protect and care for them.

From feeding orphan giraffes, to walking beside antelopes, to working hands-on with lions in the wild, I’m reminded every day why conservation matters. Protecting animals is not just about them, it’s about safeguarding the health of our shared planet. 💚
Let’s continue to build a future where people and animals can thrive together.

In these photos we see our VIEW vet Charline from Rwanda doing the incredible work we are so proud of.

02/10/2025

With deep respect and gratitude, we join the world in mourning the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, an iconic and global leader in primate conservation. Her vision, courage, and lifelong dedication to wildlife and our planet’s future have inspired generations and transformed conservation.

Please read more from this BBC article:

The primatologist was a "tireless advocate" for species protection, her institute says.

03/09/2025

Last week, Dr. Jenn Yu presented her elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) research project at the 2025 conference of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. Her oral presentation -- entitled 'EEHV Seroprevalence in North American Elephants and Effects of Herd Dynamics on Immune Status' -- was delivered to an audience of about 400 zoo veterinarians and students, and was awarded 2nd place in the graduate student competition. Her ongoing research uses an epidemiologic approach to understand the social factors that may influence susceptibility to EEHV hemorrhagic disease, a potentially deadly viral disease that affects young Asian and African elephants in managed care. Her findings can hopefully lead to actionable steps to mitigate its impact in managed populations

12/08/2025

Have you ever wondered why elephants have so many wrinkles? Turns out an elephant’s trunk wrinkles play a large role in the trunk’s dexterity and flexibility. Elephants use their prehensile trunks to pick up food, drink water, socialize with other elephants, and for many other behaviors and uses. Their trunk grasping ability is a very important function, and the wrinkles are a reflection of their role in flexibility! Elephants are born with many trunk wrinkles that are symmetrical along the trunk. They can also continue to develop more wrinkles as they age. This happens especially in the direction that they use their trunks the most (just like left-handedness or right-handedness)! There are also differences in how Asian vs. African elephants use their trunks – which is reflected in species differences in the number and arrangement of wrinkles and their development over time.

You can read about some amazing work on elephant trunks here: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.240851

29/07/2025

🧡🐅 Happy International Tiger Day from VIEW! 🐅🧡

Today we are highlighting our previous efforts to protect Nepal’s wild tigers through science, training, and care. From 2012-2019 we:
🔬 Researched disease risks in both wild tigers & nearby dogs (27% had CDV antibodies).
🧪 Trained 200+ vets & rangers in safe tiger capture and treatment.
🏥 Helped build Nepal’s first wildlife hospital for big cats.
📋 Worked with the National Wildlife Health Strategy to make tiger health a priority.
To find out more about our work with tigers, as well as our other projects, please visit:
🔗 www.viewildlife.org

15/07/2025

With its massive shoe-shaped bill, prehistoric appearance, and slow, deliberate movements, the shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is one of the world’s most unique and elusive bird species.

Native to the wetlands of central and eastern Africa, shoebills are solitary hunters known for standing motionless for hours before ambushing prey like lungfish, eels, and even young crocodiles.

Though often called a stork, the shoebill is actually more closely related to herons and pelicans—and is the only living member of its taxonomic family.

📉 With fewer than 5,000 individuals remaining, shoebills are classified as Vulnerable due to habitat loss, human disturbance, and the illegal wildlife trade.
🪺 Breeding is rare in the wild, and typically only one chick survives per nesting attempt.

Conservation efforts across Uganda, South Sudan, and Zambia are essential to protecting this extraordinary species and the wetland ecosystems they call home.

10/07/2025

We are grateful to Creative Conservation Alliance!

05/07/2025

VIEW’s Rwandan veterinarians are leading a research project in Akagera National Park, where
they are investigating the potential exposure of pesticides that may have run-off from nearby
agricultural lands. In April, Dr. Deborah McCauley joined Dr. Charline Rutagengwa and Dr.
David Murenzi in collecting samples to assess the exposure. As they worked in the field, they
found themselves near a group of hippos wallowing in the water. Though magnificent creatures,
hippos can be highly dangerous, and we had to be cautious as some of the sampling sites were
close to the water’s edge. Thankfully, park rangers were with the veterinarians to ensure their
safety. VIEW vets are on the front lines, working to protect wildlife. It was a powerful reminder of
the delicate balance in this incredible ecosystem