Zimbabwe is a country rich with some of the world’s most
breathtaking wildlife. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, baboons, cobras and even elephants contribute to Zimbabwe’s unique biodiversity. Up until the recent political struggles, the tourism industry in the country was thriving, particularly with the establishment of trans-border (or multi-country) parks and conservation areas. While these parks and conservation areas have allowed for a wider range of movement for migratory animal populations and have helped facilitate cross-border networks and partnerships, they have also highlighted the need to regulate the use of dangerous drugs in the immobilization of wildlife.

For the past four years, VWB/VSF-Canada has supported Dr. Dale Smith and her annual workshop on the chemical and physical restraint of wildlife in Zimbabwe. Veterinarians, game farm managers and wildlife contractors from all over southern Africa, as well as a few international guests, have attended these instructive workshops.

VWB/VSF is proud to support Dr. Smith's next trip to Zimbabwe, scheduled for February 2010. Dr. Smith will continue her work educating wildlife professionals on conservation issues like how to capture, immobilize and release wild animals. her workshop will also address how to manage a wildlife disease surveillance program and how to keep a comprehensive pathology database.