Conservation and collaboration for World Wildlife Day

Today’s celebration of World Wildlife Day acknowledges the importance of wildlife and biodiversity-based resources that help our sector to remain viable.

Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Mark Schipp said taking a collaborative One Health approach to disease prevention pays homage to this year’s theme ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation’.

“The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is working with Wildlife Health Australia (WHA) to develop new and vital partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to provide greater support for wildlife health issues and to better understand holistic land management practices,” Dr Schipp said.

“Increasing strong outcomes for wildlife health and disease management in Australia’s unique ecology is bigger than one person or agency and will benefit greatly from a collaborative effort from multiple stakeholders.

“Through our One Health Surveillance Initiative, WHA has launched a new capacity building program.

“This program aims to develop mutually beneficial partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to build a shared awareness of wildlife health issues and embed Indigenous voices in wildlife health policy and programs.

“Our department is prioritising these partnerships to ensure better outcomes for Australian wildlife and is committed to exploring future opportunities.”

WHA’s Program Manager for Capacity Building Dr Jo Walker said through strengthening collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we recognise connections between a healthy environment and the health and well-being of people as being one and the same thing.

“WHA’s approach to wildlife health involves conservation of threatened species, feral animal control, biodiversity, economy and animal and human health, and this is achieved through strong partnerships,” Dr Walker said.

For more information visit www.wildlifeday.org/en

Fast Facts

• March 3 is the United Nations World Wildlife Day, which celebrates and raises awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.
• This date was chosen as it is the birthday of CITES signed in 1973.
• This World Wildlife Day is also a celebration of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as it turns 50.