Parrots in Peril 
African grey parrots ( Psittacus erithacus ) are popular pets in all continents outside Africa. With soaring prices being paid for each bird since their status in CITES (an international governmental agreement to control trade in endangered species) was increased, populations in the wild have dramatically decreased due to unprecedented pressure from poaching. Since 2008, the Congo Wildlife Health Program has responded to this issue by rehabilitating and releasing parrots rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. It is estimated that for every parrot that makes it to the international pet markets, 20 have died in the process. Since January 2017 alone, more than 400 parrots have been confiscated and brought to the care of the WCS veterinary team in Congo.




Sustaining Ebola Surveillance 
The Ebola virus is devastating to both humans and great apes: the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa claimed the lives of 11,325 people and, in the last 20 years, Ebola has killed roughly one third of the world’s gorilla population and almost the same proportion of the world’s chimpanzees. Sustained wildlife monitoring permits early detection of diseases in wild animal populations and can reduce the risk of viral infection and transmission to people. Since 2005, WCS has been collaborating with NIH and local partners on the safe sampling of great apes and bats, the suspected reservoir for the virus, and on developing innovative non-invasive sampling techniques.





Fixing a Flamingo 
The Wildlife Health Center at the Bronx Zoo provides health care for over 1000 species. One animal who recently received this specialized care was a Caribbean flamingo ( Phoenicopterus ruber ) named 'Dinky', who has had multiple surgeries and a custom splint built to help her recover from a leg injury, something long-legged birds are prone to.



Striving to Save a Giant 
The Yangtze giant softshell turtle
( Rafetus swinhoei ) is the most critically endangered turtle in the world, with only three known to exist; two in China and one in Vietnam. The Chinese male is unable to breed naturally due to penile trauma, thus artificial insemination is likely the only chance for the species to continue to propagate. In May 2017, Dr Paul Calle, WCS Vice President for Health Programs and Chief Veterinarian, joined a team of collaborating scientists who came together in China with state-of-the-art equipment, for the third attempt at this challenging procedure.


The Wildlife Conservation Society was among the first zoos in the world to have full time veterinary care for their animals, with a clinician and pathologist hired in 1903 and a zoo animal hospital opening at the Bronx Zoo in 1916. We were also one of the first conservation organizations with a dedicated team of wildlife veterinarians deployed around the world to address the health of free ranging wildlife and problem-solve at the wildlife / domestic animal / human health and livelihoods interface, all underpinned by a foundation of environmental stewardship.
To learn how to support the  One World - One Health  portfolio at WCS, please contact Dr. Chris Walzer at [email protected] or Dr. Paul Calle at  [email protected] .

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Photo Credits- Arthur F. Sniegon (African Grey Parrots); WCS (Western Lowland gorilla); Julie Larson Maher/WCS (flamingo); Lu Shunqing/WCS ( Rafetus swinhoei )

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