Linking wildlife health professionals in Asia and the Pacific

Wildlife health networking

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Wildlife health stakeholders are networking across the region to share information about wildlife. They meet regularly to discuss key issues and work together to protect wildlife health for One Health. 

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) is supported by a global network of Focal Points for Wildlife. The 5th Cycle Training Manual on Wildlife Health Information Management highlights wildlife health information sharing. A virtual workshop presented this to Members in the region.

The Wildlife Health Framework envisages both the organisation and its Members drawing on and enhancing existing networks towards the overall goal of protecting wildlife health worldwide to achieve One Health. Through such networks, One Health, multisectoral collaboration and capacity for wildlife health management, monitoring and surveillance systems can be strengthened. Networks can be used to increase awareness and knowledge of risk pathways, and best practices in wildlife health management.

The Framework has been introduced to Members across the Asia and the Pacific region, with organization of several sub-regional meetings (in East Asia, South Asia, the Pacific, and South East Asia) to share information on wildlife and discuss priority wildlife health issues.

In June 2021, a series of virtual meetings with the sub-regions broached the topic of “Wildlife health networks in Asia and the Pacific” in more detail. Members were enthusiastic to develop networks further, and since then have been making progress as outlined below.

Sub-regional networks

East Asia

South Asia

  • Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
  • Terms of Reference
  • Contact point (Chair of secretariat): Dr Mukul Upadhyaya, [email protected]
  • Meetings
    • Inaugural meeting (14 Apr 2022)
    • “Current issues relating to wildlife health” (13 Oct 2022)

South East Asia

The Pacific