The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE) recently published its Wildlife Health Framework ‘Protecting Wildlife Health to Achieve One Health’. It recognizes that animal (both wild and domestic) health, balanced ecosystems, and biodiversity contribute to achieving One Health. It also stresses that in response to global trends in disease emergence and biodiversity loss there is an urgent need to strengthen the wildlife component of One Health. The framework sets out concrete actions to manage the risk of disease emergence at the human-animal-ecosystem interface and to protect wildlife health, and stresses that the goals cannot be achieved by WOAH alone. It therefore identifies IUCN as one the key collaborators (alongside Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)) that need to work with WOAH in order to implement the actions and achieve its goals. Through this project IUCN coordinated input to WOAH processes for developing or updating their Standards and guidelines on wildlife disease surveillance, risk assessment and risk management.  Based on the mandates provided to IUCN through its Program, and the WOAH Wildlife Health Framework, IUCN worked with EcoHealth Alliance, an IUCN (NGO) Member, which is a global environmental health non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting wildlife and public health from the emergence of disease. 

To do this Experts from IUCN, EcoHealth Alliance and, SSC Wildlife Health Specialist Group, EcoHealth Alliance, and WOAH met regularly to disseminate guidelines on wildlife disease, promote synergies and maintain progress in the project activities.  

Main Outcomes and Products:

• A web-based feedback form was developed to solicit feedback on the strengths, weaknesses and gaps of the existing guidance and shared with invited peer reviewers representing various wildlife-related sectors, and all Members of the Alliance.  

• Updated guidelines were produced under the project, titled “General Guidelines for Disease, Pathogen, and Toxin Surveillance in Free-Ranging Wildlife: An overview for wildlife authorities and others working with wildlife”. 2024-final-guidelines-disease-pathogen-toxin-surv-wildlife-v27.06.pdf The document covers a much wider and forward-thinking scope of wildlife health and disease surveillance and more specific advice and tools for operational and financial considerations. Based on feedback from reviewers, aspects including stakeholder roles and responsibilities, biosafety, community-based participation, laws and ethics, and resource mobilization are now emphasised. 

Implementation of the Guidelines: Training Workshop on Wildlife Disease Surveillance held in Liberia 

Using the WOAH/IUCN surveillance guidelines as the basis, works with the Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL, an IUCN member organisation) and experts from the IUCN SSC Wildlife Health Specialist Group (WHSG) collaborated with relevant national authority experts in Liberia to strengthen capacity to develop, implement, and evaluate elements of a wildlife disease surveillance program in line with the national context. The workshop took place March 8-10, 2025 and drew over 30 participants including national vet services, conservation groups and the Africa One Health University Network. Attendees explored the new “Guidelines for the Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens, and Toxic Agents in FreeRanging Wildlife” (published September 2024), though various activities. A similar approach is foreseen in Vietnam, supporting the Nature4Health (N4H) initiative. 

Lessons Learned: 

Striving for consistency in concepts is important across knowledge and guidance products to promote a common understanding and enable effective collaboration among sectors.   

There is a need for targeted information that is fit for the roles, responsibilities and resources of specific disciplines, such as those working in protected and conserved areas (e.g., rangers) and other wildlife-related sectors.  

There are practical gaps in existing knowledge products related to wildlife disease, pathogen, and toxin surveillance. As a result, intensive outreach on project outputs is required; and further needs for practical tools for surveillance planning, implementation, and use of findings are likely to be identified as this awareness and knowledge grows in the wildlife sector.  

Links:

– IUCN-WOAH Guidelines in English, Spanish and French Wildlife Health – WOAH – World Organisation for Animal Health
 
Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects”

Awareness campaigns aiming to reduce demand for wildlife and bushmeat are typically limited to conservation and legal aspects, while the dangers of zoonotic diseases are neglected.  

This broad-based campaign aimed to change behaviour towards wildlife with a new approach. The goal was to reduce the risks of zoonotic spill overs in four relevant African countries being Cameroon, Liberia, Nigeria and Zambia, by creating public awareness on the ground for human health risks, linked to wildlife trade, and promoting the One-Health approach. We used and expanded the existing experience and structures of education programs at five rescue centres, under different conditions (such as consumed species range, rural vs. urban target consumer groups, and responsible government agencies). By using a wide range of communication tools, the project aimed to increase awareness about potential health risks from contact with wildlife, to discourage hunting, trade and wildlife consumption, to suggest alternatives, and motivate responsible government agencies to initiate necessary actions. Creating a consortium of rescue centres and learning from each other facilitated the exchange of knowledge, resulting in timely adjustments of education tools, and the development of new strategies, including activating influential stakeholders as multiplicators.   

As a result, we developed optimised campaign tools in a modular system that can be used individually or as a package also in other countries and regions. 

Main Outcomes: 

• Scientific knowledge was translated into messages for daily life on the ground: individual communication strategies were developed and adapted to the national and local needs, targeting different age and population groups to achieve a wide reach of key messages.   

• More than 19,000 people were educated during guided tours in the rescue centres. Workshops for authorities and communities were organised. 

• Around 5,400 children were reached through school visits. After the events, a strong increase in awareness of zoonoses and their importance for the participants was observed.  

• With a football tournament, plays and dance groups, people of different ages and personal backgrounds were engaged. The educational components were integrated into these leisure activities and traditional leaders, and other multipliers were involved.  

• Radio broadcasts and jingles were released in popular radio programs in Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia and reached an estimated 7 million people. In Zambia, representatives of authorities were part of the radio shows, which helped to increase credibility and acceptance.  

Conclusions and Lessons Learned 

• Use bigger outlets like radio shows to reach more people  

• Attract people through a combination of entertainment and education  

• involve multiplicators (leaders, politicians, authorities, teachers etc.) 

• link practical daily life issues with the zoonosis message to increase acceptance, initiate a dialogue and achieve behavioural change 
  different target populations require different approach and messaging 

Products

Project Report:

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen. – Global Lessons from 18 projects” 

Find the event report here.

Wild meat is a vital source of animal protein for many communities around the world. However, trade in and consumptive use of wild animals poses several health risks to the human population, in addition to threatening global biodiversity. Since wild meat is mostly traded informally, and through complex food supply chains, understanding the potential impacts it may have on public health is notably difficult. That’s because there are no clear food safety guidelines such as those governing foods from crops or farm animals. Several studies have documented the existence of pathogens in wild meat, as well as disease outbreaks associated with handling and or consumption of wild animals or wild meat. However, little is known about risk of exposure of humans to these pathogens along the wild meat value chains (VC). Few studies have conducted risk assessment regarding wild meat handling and consumption, but such studies did not use a VC approach for risk analysis. Regardless, data from mapping wild meat VC, even though limited, has been used to identify conservation entry points in West, Central and East Africa. It is possible that risk analysis conducted through a VC approach can help identify critical control and entry points for diseases into the human population. Our project therefore intends to use a VC approach to estimate the risk of exposure to humans of the pathogens along the wild meat VC in Nairobi (Kenya) and Lagos (Nigeria). Data on the structure and characteristics of the wild meat VC in these cities continues to be vital in informing conservation policies. Most importantly, the findings from this study enhanced global understanding of existing food hazards of wild meat in urban centres, and probability of exposure to such hazards at the VC nodes. Such information is vital in identifying critical disease control points thus enhancing local, national and global capacity for disease outbreak prevention and control.

Main Results:

• Actors along the Lagos and Nairobi wild meat VC engage in health-risky practices that could lead to their exposure to zoonotic diseases. 

• Conservation status assessments of wildlife in study areas are outdated and may not reflect their true current statuses. 

• VC actors in both cities have limited knowledge and poor attitudes regarding the health risks that could result from wild meat handling. This potentially drives the observed practices. 

• Available data suggests that wild meat extraction in both cities are hugely a male affair, while women are engaged in the distal nodes of the value chain. 

Products:

• Two articles and two journals are under peer review

• The results were presented at multiple conferences
  
   

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects” 

Indonesia is amongst the most biodiverse regions in the world. That comes in hand with a high diversity of wild animals living amongst the many different ecosystems. 14% of the total mammal species in the world find a home on the islands of Indonesia. High density of wild animals and the destruction of the ecosystems due to land-use change and overexploitation, force wild animals and humans to live closer and closer together. Furthermore, hunting and wildlife trade is a common source of income for the local communities. This rising interaction between the people and wildlife brings various health risks and environmental damage. The risks of spillover from wildlife trade come in the form of pathogens that can lead to zoonosis diseases. In Indonesia, people are dealing with issues such as insufficient public knowledge and awareness regarding wildlife trade risks and threats. Especially in rural areas, many people are not aware of the health risks connected to wildlife interaction. Thus, educating the community, starting from an early age, is essential. With this goal in mind, the project team raised awareness of wildlife protection for children using local values and customs. 

The output of this project consists of two main products:  

• Publication of ten trilingual storybooks and Podcasts (English, Indonesian, native language)  

• Launch of Storytelling Events  

The Publication of ten trilingual storybooks:  

In phase one, illustrated storybooks in five native languages were created and distributed to elementary schools in five regions of Indonesia (Aceh, Yogyakarta, East java, Bali, Papua) differ around the country, each region chose an animal species with the risk of zoonotic diseases, that is relevant to their area: in Aceh they chose the Orangutan, in Yogyakarta they chose bats and in East Java they chose the East Javan Langur. 

Due to the success in phase one, five more storybooks in in five more regions (South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Riau, West Java) were developed. In this run, the project also entailed the creation of podcasts made by students at Udayana University in cooperation with wildlife experts. 

The animals per region were chosen through group discussions about recent issues and cases with wildlife-human interactions, literature research of academic papers, articles and news as well as site visits and interviews with experts and locals.  

The development of the stories was done with the focus on conveying scientific information as well as making the story interesting for the children. In the process experts of all fields could learn from each other and ensure an ideal product. The team managed to combine science, literacy, and art in accordance with the local environment, culture, values, beliefs and practices related to wildlife trade. An interdisciplinary approach to the creation of the books was ensured through the collaboration with native language experts, local design and illustration artists, wildlife veterinarians, and other relevant stakeholders. 

Each book consists of 30-40 pages that provide three languages: Bahasa Indonesia, a native language and English. By carefully paying attention to the delivery of mother languages in the book, it can provide children with a better understanding of the issue and raise awareness around it. Each book was printed in 500 copies. 

Storytelling is a popular feature of sharing knowledge between generations in local communities. It creates characters that children can connect to, making it easier for young children to understand the message.  

The translation into the mother tongue of the different regions ensures easier comprehension of the topic through the elimination of language barriers. Providing three languages makes sure that the children can choose the language that they feel the most comfortable in. This makes the reading experience easier and more fun. 

The books created are:  

In a second project phase 5 more books were developed

The Launch of the Storytelling Events and the Distribution of Books 

Storytelling and book launching events were held in all of the regions. In cooperation with local storytellers, theatrical performers and public health experts, each region created different events to present the storybooks according to their culture. Some performers utilised puppets and Wayang (traditional puppets), some accompanied the events with music or costumes. All events involved interactive elements to ensure the engagement of the audience and deepen the understanding of wildlife interactions and their risks. While the elementary students (age 9-12) were the main attendees, there were also parents, teachers, and representatives from the Education and Library offices present at the events.  

Quizzes before and after the events showed an increased understanding of the risks of wildlife interaction after the Storytelling events. Parents affirmed this notion by reporting that their children were able to recall the story and its messages.  

The books were then distributed through regional coordination with elementary schools, Education offices, Library and Archive offices, city libraries and other community services for the children and anyone interested. The books reached 2500 children in total through partnerships with more than 46 partners in all regions.  

Conclusion:  

Overall, this project shows a great success in addressing risks in wildlife interaction and sensitising people from a young age. It has successfully reached so many children and adults, and the books will continue to advocate for sustainable human-wildlife interaction. The project ensures the education of more people in more regions. Through application of One Health principles and the collaboration with so many stakeholders and experts from different backgrounds a holistic and culturally sensitive approach was ensured.  

Find out more in the recording of our online event Voices from the Ground: Voices from the Ground: The Application of a One Health Approach to Raise Wildlife Protection Awareness (OHAWE) in Indonesia – International Alliance against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade 

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects”  

The realities of illegal wildlife trade, the changes in ecosystem dynamics, and the closeness of human population to wild areas, are events that could potentially trigger the appearance of diseases through zoonosis. These elements joined with the fact that there is significant lack of knowledge regarding the health of wildlife in northern Guatemala, highlighted the need to train personnel, equip an entity dedicated to the health of wild animals and create a methodology for obtaining viable samples for correct long-term storage, safeguarding irreplaceable biological information, and facilitating present and future research. Improving the chances of early detection of pathogens and the future conservation of the integral health of the wild fauna of the Maya Biosphere Reserve.  

The main objective of this project was to strengthen the regional knowledge on One Health issues, through the generation of a baseline of information on pathogens in wild animals, producing a bank of properly managed and preserved samples, and training the staff of institutions related to this work and topic. Project partner was the Guatemalan NGO ARCAS, that is among other engagements running a rescue centre in Petén/ Guatemala.  

Main outcome: 

• Screening of samples from 714 different animals including primates, birds and reptiles identifying VEEV (Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus), Patois virus, and hepacivirus. 

• Training of rangers to report wildlife accidents or deaths in the Selva Maya to ARCAS 

• Equipped an entity dedicated to the health of wild animals and create a methodology for obtaining viable samples for correct long-term storage, safeguarding irreplaceable biological information, and facilitating present and future research. 

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects” 

Project period: 15.Dec. 2021 – 14. March. 2025

Southeast Asia is a biodiversity hotspot and a major hub for national and international wildlife trade – both legal and illegal. The region plays a key role as an end-market as well as onward trafficking in the illegal trafficking of high-value endangered species products, including elephant ivory and rhino horn. Southeast Asian markets have also been identified as a hotspot for the development of new zoonotic disease.

This initiative comprises targeted public awareness and demand reduction campaigns in Vietnam, Bhutan and Mongolia that draw on the fundamental Buddhist principles of compassion towards all life, universal responsibility, and interdependence. The project enjoys the support of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the world’s largest Buddhist umbrella body, and the Buddhist leaders of the three project countries. By promoting conscious compassionate and sustainable lifestyle choices, based on Buddha’s teaching, the initiative aims to make a tangible contribution towards mitigating zoonotic disease spread and spill over risks, sustainability, biodiversity conservation, livelihood protection and peace. Collaborations with partners from faith-based communities have great potential to reach and positively influence the behaviour of wildlife consumers and traders.

General Outcomes:

• 117 educational workshops and teachings were held in monasteries, schools, and relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations in all seven project locations in Mongolia, Bhutan and Vietnam, directly reaching close to 74 000 people.

• A universal “Buddha Nature” logo was adopted in all locations to create a recognisable and relatable brand. Adding to that each country created an individual slogan.

• The project reached an audience of more than 2.8 million people through social media, TV, public displays and other platforms.

• Films, children’s books and many other educational tools were developed.

• Monastic leaders in the three project countries have pledged to integrate the project concept into their messaging beyond the end of the project. In addition, a One Health roadmap for effective Buddhist demand reduction initiatives was created that is transferable to other faiths.

• Each of the four countries tailored its implementation to the local context  

Further links:

Buddhist Wildlife introduction in Bhutan: Buddhist Wildlife Trade Demand Reduction Initiative in Southeast Asia – Launch

Barbara Maas Talk at Bhutan launch event: Talk 1: Dr. Barbara Mass – Buddhist Wildlife Trade Demand Reduction Initiative

Mr. Kinga Norbu: status of illegal wildlife trade and poaching in Bhutan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSRFC3LwVKA

How Myth and Superstition are Encouraging Wildlife Trade and Poaching | Dr. Karma Phuntsho: Talk 3: How Myth and Superstition are Encouraging Wildlife Trade and Poaching | Dr. Karma Phuntsho

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects”

Southeast Asia, home to diverse mammals and birds, faces rising zoonotic risks due to population growth, deforestation, and wildlife trade. Close human-wildlife interactions, often through trade for food and traditional medicine, increase the likelihood of disease spillovers. The organisation EcoHealth Alliance, implemented the project “Mitigating Zoonotic Disease Emergence Risk in Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia” across Thailand and Vietnam, in collaboration with partners including the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (Vietnam), Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre, and Chulalongkorn University (Thailand),
 
The project integrated three key components – scientific methods and evidence, human behaviour change, and policy – into pilot studies to form One Health-based risk-mitigation strategy targeting zoonotic spillover risk in the wildlife trade. It aimed to establish an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral network to facilitate communication and foster collaborations among scientists, policymakers, and communities to promote One Health collaborations in preventing zoonotic disease emergence in wildlife trade. The project showcased One Health approaches to address the challenges at the interconnections of conservation and public health, facilitated dialogue among stakeholders to support evidence-based policymaking, and translated policy into local-context practices.
 
Main results:
 
The uptake of protective measures among bat guano collectors was influenced by specific work and environmental conditions, and many barriers remain in implementation even if a strong willingness to change was expressed. Adapting from existing measures might be a better way than imposing a totally new measure. 
Information sharing and coordination between forestry and animal health departments could be an entry point to improve the management of zoonotic disease risk in wildlife farming. 
Preventative and protective practices should be considered when contact with wildlife is unavoidable as part of local livelihood.
 
Deep Dive: In cooperation with the Bat Guano workers in Thailand:

Background: It has been a long tradition for people to collect the Bat Guano from bat caves, which is then used all over the world as nutrient heavy fertilizer. Entering the caves creates a proximity between the animals and the workers and increases the risk for zoonotic spillovers as bats host a large reservoir of potential pathogens.
Activities: The project worked with local health and forestry authorities, industry, and religious partners to pilot and evaluate zoonotic risk mitigation interventions among bat guano workers.
Outcome: The outcome is the adoption of handwashing with water and soap among workers and the sustainable supply of soap on site provided by local business owners. The implementation of wearing N95 protective masks was more difficult, since the masks are physically uncomfortable with the humidity and high temperature at work.
Learnings: This is a great example of behaviour change interventions that mitigate the risk of zoonotic diseases while sustainably supporting bat conservation and income for the communities. The bat guano workers and business owners were very open to learning about the new implications and turning them into reality and they were also open for discussions of future initiatives. During this process, other health and safety issues were also discovered that lead to cooperation with the local clinic.
 
Products:  
Three community engaging and educational books targeting the public and communities, as well as One Health practitioners. 
Living with Wildlife through One Health
One Health in the Wildlife Trade
Living Safely with Bats – EcoHealth Alliance

A study report targeting policy stakeholders Understanding Wildlife Farming and Zoonotic Disease Management in Viet Nam
Four manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals targeting scientific communities.  
A workshop and webinar among the Alliance members and beyond. 
Three oral presentations at the 8^th World One Health Congress targeting One Health researchers, practitioners, and policy stakeholders.

Overall Outcomes:
Empowering Local Communities: Engaged over 70 bat guano workers and community leaders, integrating their knowledge into health and conservation strategies.
Strengthening Collaboration: Facilitated dialogue among 58 cross-sectoral stakeholders, resulting in actionable plans for sustainable farming and One Health initiatives.
Raising Awareness: Delivered accessible One Health educational tools to audiences in more than nine Asian countries through a volunteer network, boosting understanding of zoonotic risks
Ensuring Sustainability: Secured funding from National Geographic Society and Novo Nordisk Foundation to support long-term, tailored disease risk reduction strategies in wildlife trade.
 
The project had a wide impact on the local communities, national policy stakeholders and other institutions widely involved in wildlife trade, specifically through fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration for safer work and living spaces close to wildlife.
 
Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects”

The Philippines rank among the top biodiversity hotspots globally, with an estimated 20,000 plant and animal species unique to the archipelago. Yet, growing human pressure on ecosystems is forcing wildlife into closer contact with people. As natural habitats shrink, the risk of zoonotic disease spillover increases: a dynamic that plays a critical role in the potential emergence of future pandemics. 

This project aimed to enhance the domestic capacity of the Philippines for One Health transdisciplinary research and knowledge translation to effectively tackle wildlife trade and biodiversity loss as drivers of infectious disease emergence, with the purpose of preventing future zoonotic spillovers in the next 50 years. This program comprised a small cohort of fifteen professionals from diverse sociocultural and interdisciplinary backgrounds related to One Health, wildlife conservation, and zoonotic spillover prevention.  

Main Outcome:  

• The fellowship spanned one year, starting with an online course and followed by training in collaborative research, leadership, advocacy, and communication. 

• With mentorship and small grants, fellows conducted transdisciplinary research on wildlife trade and zoonotic spillover prevention. 

• Fellows engaged in One Health dialogues to share findings and connect with key stakeholders. 

• The cohort’s diversity in geography, gender, culture, and discipline enriched learning and collaboration. 

• Covering the full knowledge cycle, the fellowship nurtures future One Health leaders: scientists, educators, and advocates. 

Products: 

• A paper on the outcomes of the fellowship Next Generation One Health Philippines: Building Capacity for Transdisciplinary and Translational Research for Pandemic Prevention 

• A presentation: Edition 69 – Next Generation One Health Philippines: Building Capacity for Transdisciplinary and Translational Research for Pandemic Prevention – BCPHR Journal 

Find more information and the overall learnings of the Alliance financed projects in the report “Learning to make Change Happen.- Global Lessons from 18 projects”