Introduction

As a Zoo Veterinary Nurse I have always had a passion for conservation, animal health and welfare. I wanted to find a conservation project abroad where my veterinary nursing skills and knowledge could make a difference, provide a challenge for me, and an opportunity to promote veterinary nursing as a profession. 

 As a Veterinary Nurse at ZSL London Zoo I was eligible to apply for the Michael Brambell Travel Grant which would enable this trip possible.  I was lucky enough to be awarded this grant with my application to work at Save Vietnam's Wildlife. 

 Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) is a Non-Profit Organisation based in Cuc Phuong National Park in Northern Vietnam, committed to protecting and increasing populations of threatened wildlife in Vietnam, including Sunda pangolins and a variety of small carnivores.  The work of SVW focuses on all aspects of conservation and care of small carnivore and pangolin species, to include the rescue, rehabilitation and release of those confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, as well as the development of global conservation breeding program for the threatened carnivores and pangolins.


Visit Save Vietnam's Wildlife Website

The species I would primarily be working with is the critically endangered Sunda Pangolin, Manis javanica. Pangolins are still regarded as the most trafficked wild mammals, despite a commercial trade ban since 2000 for wild-caught pangolins in Asia.  A high level of hunting and poaching for meat, skin and scales for the luxury restaurant, fashion and traditional medicine market has and still, results in a large-scale illegal trade in Asian Pangolins and is having a huge impact on numbers/ population.
Location: London NW1 4RY, UK

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