| dc.description.abstract | The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) cares for individual animals, and also wildlife
populations and their habitats. We find solutions to problems that are good for both animals and
people. These are the words found in our mission statement and frequently used in published material
and online on our website – but can we live up to these lofty ideals and how do we set about achieving
them? Can the care of individual animals be compatible with the ‘one health’ approach – or does it
create greater risks for the animals themselves, the people who care for them and the populations
to which they are returned? There are many who are critical of attempts to rescue, treat and return
wildlife to the wild and consider that they are more of a threat to animal welfare, animal and human
health, and can jeopardize wild populations. Looking at examples of IFAW’s work around the globe
with wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, translocation and reintroduction, it is clear the veterinarian has a
key role in ensuring that standards of good animal health, welfare and conservation are met. Examples
from both terrestrial and marine environments, involving avian, mammalian and reptilian taxa are
considered. | en_US |
