Course summary

Conservation Medicine is an established field that continues to evolve as the ability to study the complex relationships and interactions between animal health, human health and ecosystem health develops. The subject emerged in the 1990s as a response to the need for a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to the conservation of biodiversity. In particular, the importance of health in many conservation issues was widely recognised. With its foundation in the principles of conservation biology, Conservation Medicine incorporates contributions from:

• the health sciences

• ecology

• the social sciences

• conservation

• wildlife health

• ecological health

• Conservation and wildlife agencies or organisations

• Charities or non-governmental organisations

• Zoos and ex-situ conservation programmes

• Government veterinary departments

• In-situ conservation programmes

• National parks and forestry departments

• Scientific research in universities or research institutes

• Private clinical practice with wildlife species

• Other NGOs who recognise that veterinary expertise is increasingly necessary as part of a multidisciplinary approach for wildlife and biodiversity conservation projects