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AWARE: Animal & Wildlife Area Research & Rehabilitation, Zimbabwe
AWARE is the only veterinary conservation trust in Zimbabwe run by veterinarians, focusing on the welfare of wildlife and conservation of wildlife habitats. Their mission is to pro-actively further the conservation and welfare of wildlife and wildlife habitats, with particular reference to conservation veterinary medicine, and to raise AWAREness of veterinary and ecological threats to wildlife species and habitats.
The Trust provides expert veterinary treatment and rehabilitation to sick or injured ownerless wild animals on a pro bono basis, especially where these animals have suffered at the hand of man. This may include preventative treatment of wild animals at risk from disease, or pre-emptive rehabilitation of wild animals threatened by humans. They perform free sterilization, vaccination, and basic health care for domesticated animals living in poverty-stricken marginal areas at interfaces with wildlife conservation areas. The Trust believes that improving the health and welfare of these animals improves the livelihoods of their owners, and has a positive effect for wildlife by limiting the spread of disease into wildlife populations and reducing poaching in wildlife areas. They also provide facilities and funding for worthy veterinary and ecological research projects, the outcomes of which will provide important data on the status of a species or habitat in a wildlife area. AWARE invites wildlife veterinarians and wildlife ecologists to submit disease surveillance or research project proposals. These proposals will be considered by the Trust Steering Committee.
The Trust provides animal welfare AWAREness, through animal health and welfare education campaigns for rural people. These coincide with prophylactic campaigns. The Trust intends to start raising AWAREness at grassroots level about the value of wildlife and conservation areas. AWARE believes that it is imperative to promote respect for nature, and compassion for animals from a very early age. Their firm belief is that the way forward for conservation on a national scale is to have competent, salaried local capacity able to deal with a broad range of wildlife situations. The trust intends to train veterinary and support staff in all aspects of wildlife veterinary medicine through on the job training and continuing education courses.
To learn about volunteer opportunities with the Trust, please click here.
