MSc in Wild Animal Health

About
Programme Structure
Research Project
Career Profiles
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This world-class specialist Masters course (with exit points at Certificate and Diploma) has produced over 240 graduates, originating from 52 countries, since its inception in 1994. It provides qualified veterinarians with a critical understanding of the management of wild animals and the epidemiology, treatment and control of wildlife disease.

Over the past 40 years, interventions, for reasons of health, welfare and the conservation of free-living wild animals, have been undertaken with increasing frequency. Specialist veterinary expertise is required in order to assess and control diseases in wildlife.

Emerging infectious diseases are also recognised as a serious hazard, both for wild animals and for the domestic animal and human populations that interact with them. In addition, a large number of wild animal species are kept in captivity – in zoos and in laboratories – which has led to an increased demand for specialist skills and knowledge.

The Masters in Wild Animal Health is a world-class specialist programme taught jointly by the RVC, University of London and the Zoological Society of London.

Aimed at qualified veterinarians, the course will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of the management of wild animals and epidemiology, treatment and control of diseases.

Objectives

A graduate of the Certificate in Wild Animal Health must demonstrate:

A conceptual understanding of population dynamics, threats to wildlife populations and how resources can be allocated for wildlife conservation
A critical understanding of epidemiology and the impact of disease on wild animal populations
The ability to evaluate interventions for the management of captive and free-living wild animals including their ethics
A systematic understanding of the biological principles underpinning wild animal management, and the husbandry, care and welfare of wild animals

A graduate of the Diploma in Wild Animal Health must demonstrate (in addition to the achievements of the PG Certificate):

A critical awareness of methods to detect disease, disease surveillance systems and the effects of emerging diseases on captive and free-living wild animal health
A conceptual and practical understanding of the diagnosis, management, investigation (pathology), treatment and control of disease in captive and free-living wild animal populations
A comprehensive insight into the measurement of ecosystem health
A creative approach to the evaluation of the health, welfare and reproduction of captive and free-living wild animals

A graduate of the Master of Science in Wild Animal Health must demonstrate (in addition to the achievements of the PG Certificate and Diploma):

A comprehensive understanding of research and inquiry including (i) critical appraisal of the literature, (ii) scientific writing and (iii) scientific presentation
The ability to design and analyse hypothesis-driven laboratory and/or field studies

Entry Requirements

We invite applications from candidates with a first or second class honours degree from a recognised veterinary school and at least one year of postgraduate veterinary experience.

We are keen to see evidence of relevant work experience in a zoo, wildlife rehabilitation centre or wildlife hospital.

English Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of proficiency in spoken and written English, including scientific usage and comprehension. You will be required to achieve an overall score of 7.0 in IELTS with a minimum of 6.5.

See English Language Proficiency for further information on our English language requirements.

Programme Content

The course is completed over one-year full-time study, commencing in September 2017. It is taught jointly by the Zoological Society of London and the Royal Veterinary College.

Graduates are equipped with:

A critical awareness of current problems in wildlife disease with implications for wildlife conservation and welfare
A new insight into veterinary interventions for the management of captive and free-living wild animals
A systematic understanding of the biological principles underpinning wild animal conservation and management, and the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of wildlife disease
Basic competence in veterinary techniques and preventative medicine for wild animals
A conceptual and practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create knowledge in the field of wild animal health
A comprehensive understanding of scientific skills, including a critical review of the scientific literature, and design and analysis of laboratory or field studies.

Useful downloads:

MSc Wild Animal Biology and Wild Animal Health Course Content 2017-2018 (724.85 KB)

Course Structure

The MSc in Wild Animal Health is completed over one-year full-time study, commencing in the autumn. It is taught jointly by the RVC and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

The course consists of three levels:

The Postgraduate Certificate
The Postgraduate Diploma
The MSc

All three levels start at the same time, towards the end of September each year. The Certificate is taught between September and February, the Diploma between February and May and the MSc also includes the research project which is undertaken during the summer months, finishing in mid-September (May-September).

None of the levels are available as part-time or distance-learning courses.

We deliver the course through two terms of lectures, seminars, tutorials and problem-based learning, with modular examinations. The MSc level includes a research project over the summer months, prior to final assessment.

The course is organised by discipline (e.g. epidemiology, anaesthesiology, virology), with information relating to specific taxa included in lectures throughout the course. You will learn the principles of each subject, and taxa-specific lectures are included to exemplify these principles.

To confirm the exact start date please email admissions@rvc.uk.

Course participants play an active role in lectures, seminars, tutorials and clinical work.

Career Prospects

The world-class specialist MSc in Wild Animal Health has produced over 240 graduates since its inception in 1994.

Our graduates have gone on to work with both captive and free-living wild animals as clinicians, pathologists, epidemiologists, academics and senior management in zoological collections, national parks, universities and government departments worldwide.

Others continue to work towards a PhD or DVetMed, either with ZSL, the RVC or at other leading research institutes.

See the career profiles tab for detailed career profiles of some recent graduates.

Course Directors:

Academic Staff

Dr Tony Sainsbury, Institute of Zoology
Tony Sainsbury is the course director based at the Institute of Zoology. He is a Senior Lecturer in Wild Animal Health. Tony’s interests lie in the epidemiology of infectious diseases and the surveillance of diseases in wild animal populations. He is a European Recognised Specialist in Zoological Medicine (Wildlife Population Health).
Michael Waters, Royal Veterinary College
Mike Waters is a lecturer in Clinical Pathology and is the RVC-based course director for this MSc course. He graduated from Sydney University and holds an MSc in Wild Animal Health from the University of London

Professor Mark Fox, Royal Veterinary College
Mark Fox qualified as a vet at the Royal Veterinary College in 1977 and, after a period in small animal practice, returned to study for a PhD in veterinary parasitology. He then went on to set up the MSc courses in Wild Animal Health (1994) and Wild Animal Biology (2003) with the Institute of Zoology (ZSL).
Professor Andrew Cunningham, Institute of Zoology
Andrew Cunningham joined the Institute of Zoology in 1988 as Veterinary Pathologist for the ZSL. In 2001 he became head of Wildlife Epidemiology at the IOZ.

Fees and Financial Support

See here: MSc Wild Animal Health - Fee Support

How do I apply?

See here: MSc Wild Animal Health - How Do I Apply

Or contact:

The Graduate School
The Royal Veterinary College
Royal College Street
London NW1 0TU
United Kingdom

Email : graduateschool@rvc.ac.uk
Tel : +44 (0) 20 7468 5134
Fax : +44 (0) 20 7468 5060

The MSc in Wild Animal Health consists of three levels:

Postgraduate Certificate
Postgraduate Diploma and the
Masters of Science Degree.

These levels start at the same time, towards the end of September each year. The Certificate is taught between September and February, the diploma between February and May and the MSc also includes the research project which is undertaken during the summer months, finishing in mid-September.

These levels are not available as part-time or distance learning courses.

Certificate in Wild Animal Health

Introductory week
You will be introduced to the course objectives, the mission of the partner organisations running the course, and the services you can receive at the ZSL and the RVC.

Conservation Biology Module
You will develop a conceptual understanding of which species and populations are vulnerable to extinction, how we can monitor their population dynamics and how resources to conserve species can be allocated most successfully using a scientific approach.
The Impact of Disease on Populations
The effects of diseases on populations can be complex but even subtle influences can markedly unbalance free-living and captive populations of wild animals. An understanding of these effects requires a critical evaluation of epidemiology and the population biology of infectious agents. Armed with this knowledge you will be equipped to make informed decisions on control methods, where these are considered an ethical approach.
Health and welfare of captive wild animals
Considering the enormous diversity of animal species, the management of healthy populations in captivity is an exacting challenge. In this module, you will gain a critical understanding of the principles of animal management and preventive medical approaches to maintaining healthy populations and enhance their welfare
Interventions Module
Where anthropogenic threats endanger free-living populations of animals, people increasingly see a need to intervene for the conservation or welfare of these populations. However, given the need to understand complex ecological systems, the disease risks of manipulating them and the potential stress of intervention methods, such activities require detailed planning, highly skilled input and scientific evaluation to ensure lessons are learned. Using real examples this module will help you to develop a conceptual understanding of intervention methods.

Diploma in Wild Animal Health

Detection, surveillance and emerging diseases
Morbidity and mortality in free-living populations of wild animals are difficult to detect and monitor given ecosystem processes and the bias of convenience sampling strategies. In this module, you will learn about the complex methods required to detect and monitor changes in endemic diseases, detect emergent diseases, and interpret the findings in a scientific manner.
Ecosystem Health Module
Ecosystem health is a rapidly advancing field of scientific inquiry, which will be studied in the context of the health and sustainable utilization of ocean and freshwater fauna.
Evaluation of the health and welfare of captive wild animals
In the Certificate, you will have gained a critical understanding of the management and preventive medical care required to maintain healthy populations. In this module, we investigate the scientific evaluation of wild animal welfare and critically analyse the relationship of health with both reproduction and nutrition.
Practical Module
This module covers the complex set of skills required to effectively maintain healthy captive populations of wild animals, and to monitor and intervene in the health of free-living populations. You will gain a conceptual and practical understanding of critical aspects of pharmacology and anaesthesia, pathology, dentistry, and surgery and imaging in wild animals.

MSc in Wild Animal Health

As well as successfully completing the PG Certificate and Diploma level modules, an MSc graduate must complete a research project in order to demonstrate:

A comprehensive understanding of research and inquiry, including (i) critical appraisal of the literature, (ii) scientific writing and (iii) scientific presentation
The ability to design and analyse hypothesis-driven laboratory and/or field studies.

Research Planning

In this module, you will develop the extensive skills required to design and conduct practical research projects, critically appraise and review the literature, deliver effective scientific presentations, and write scientific papers suitable for submission to peer-reviewed journals.

Project

You will be required to undertake an individual research project, between May and mid-August, and to submit a typewritten report not exceeding 10,000 words in the form of a grant report and a scientific paper suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. The project will encompass a practical study on an approved aspect of wild animal health. The project may be undertaken at any place approved by the Institute/College with the guidance of a course supervisor.

Assessment

You will be assessed by seven written papers, coursework (scientific review, critical review, scientific presentation, scientific poster and a case report), an individual research project report and an oral examination. All candidates will undertake a full assessment irrespective of their performance in other parts of the course.

Recent project reports are submitted in mid-August and oral examinations are held in mid-September.

Useful downloads

Wild Animal Biology and Wild Animal Health MSc content 2013-14 (183 KB)

The research project provides the opportunity to study a topic suited to the student’s desired career. A wide variety of topic areas have been chosen including welfare, behaviour, infectious diseases, reproduction, nutrition, rehabilitation and management of both captive and free-living wild animals. The project may be undertaken at any place approved by the Zoological Society of London/Royal Veterinary College with the guidance of a course supervisor.

Research projects can be undertaken throughout the world and the map below shows the locations where MSc Wild Animal Health students have studied.

Wild Animal Health Research project locations 1994-2016

After studying veterinary medicine, Marcus Clauss did the MSc course in Wild Animal Health. The MSc research project on the feeding and digestive physiology of captive giraffe got him into contact with his next employer, the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin, Germany. His next research was in the field of nondomestic herbivore nutrition, working on moose, black and greater one-horned rhino, hippos and various ruminant species. He did a 5-year postdoc period at the Institute of Animal Physiology, Physiological Chemistry and Animal Nutrition at the University of Munich, before he found tenure as the Head of Research at the Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife at the University of Zurich. He is actively involved in graduate and postgraduate education (and also teaches on the MSc WAH nowadays), has supervised a large number of MSc and PhD theses, and continues research in the area of digestive physiology, anatomy and nutrition of various herbivores, omnivores and carnivores; he has since worked on topics from life history, husbandry and zoo management.
Marcus Clauss WAH 97/98

Celine Le Rochais - MSc in Wild Animal Health

The MSc Wild Animal Health has been a very enriching experience, both from human and professional perspective. It was the opportunity to broaden my knowledge in wild animal medicine and increase my awareness on conservation issues. I am now enrolled in a wildlife medicine residency in Canada. I am convinced the MSc gave me the necessary background to reach that position, and will help me in the future to achieve the ACZM board certification.
Céline Le Rochais, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.

I have been previously employed by the Myanma Timber Enterprise, Ministry of Forestry as the Head of Elephant Section, Extraction Department. I attended MSc (Wild Animal Health) Course in 2000. The course gave me the opportunity to pursue PhD programme which reflects my own unique interests in Asian elephant ecology and population demography. After finishing my PhD in 2007, I worked as the Asian Elephant Consultant in SE Asian countries and in zoological collections in UK. Currently I work in the position of Post-doctoral Research Associate at the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK. I am taking the role of Project Co-ordinator of Myanmar Elephant Research Project. I co-supervise PhD and MSc projects with Dr, Virpi Lummaa (Reader in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Sheffield). I oversee research activities in Myanmar and liaise between International scientists and the Myanmar Government. Our research group aims to determine factors affecting health, fertility and mortality rates in the captive elephants of Myanmar and devising strategies to improve them.
Dr. Khyne U Mar BVS, MSc, MPhil, PhD, FRVCS

Richard Suu Ire - MSc Wild Animal Health

Following my completion of the MSc in Wild Animal Health in 2006, I was appointed as a wildlife veterinary epidemiologist. I actively participated in the control of many diseases including the Avian Influenza outbreak in Ghana in April 2007, and am Unit Head of the Wildlife Surveillance Unit of the European Union Avian Influenza Project in Ghana and a member of the Avian Influenza Ghana National Working Group. I have worked closely with a range of leading international research institutions and organizations, such as WHO, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (USA), and I am currently collaborating with the Institute of Zoology (ZSL), Animal Health laboratory Agency and the Cambridge University (UK). This collaboration focuses on viral zoonoses of fruit bats; the findings of this have been published in leading international journals and presented at international scientific fora. I am also a PhD student at the University of Ghana with affiliation with the Institute of zoology. I am the Immediate past president of the Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA), and currently the first vice president. The MSc in Wild Animal Health has been very helpful in shaping my career.
Richard D Suu-ire

Claudio Soto-Azat - MSc in Wild Animal Health

I have been involved in animal conservation since 2004 when I became veterinary surgeon in Chile. In 2006/7 I followed my MSc studies in Wild Animal Health and since then I have continued being linked with ZSL through my PhD in Conservation Medicine and the EDGE Programme. The MSc in Wild Animal Health is one of the most important experiences in my life. Professionally, I developed in the areas of wildlife medicine, wildlife population health and conservation, but personally I also made excellent friends from all over the world and I growth as a person. Today, I am academic and researcher at the Faculty of Ecology and Natural Resources, Universidad Andres Bello, Chile, and always I have felt deeply grateful from the MSc programme.
Claudio Soto-Azat, MV, MSc, PhD, Universidad Andres Bello, Chile

Following the completion of my MSc in Wild Animal Health in 2003 I worked as a wildlife veterinarian for 2 years before starting a PhD in Epidemiology at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, investigating Bovine tuberculosis at the human-livestock-wildlife interface in Ethiopia. I am currently a research team leader in Zoonosis/One-Health where wildlife and ecosystem health play a big role. Besides being a researcher, I also continue to work as a practicing wildlife veterinarian in Ethiopia as well as lecturing wildlife medicine, and epidemiology at several veterinary faculties at under-and postgraduate levels. The MSc program was without doubt the most important stepping stone in my career.
Rea Tschopp, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Ethiopia and Swiss Tropical Institute

Persuing a Masters in Wild Animal Health was a dream come through and one of the best experiences. This course gave me a chance to be lectured and work alongside Veterinarians that wrote the wildlife textbooks that I studied from. It broadened my knowledge on wildlife medicine and management and welfare of wildlife. It also stimulated my interest in conservation and emerging diseases. The practical component was my favourite as we were on rotations at well-established Zoos. It was a great opportunity to network with people from around the world and build a rapport. I am still in contact with my colleagues and contact them when I need a consult. I am sure this masters will help me advance in my career, as I am now the first qualified Wildlife Veterinarian in my home country of Trinidad.
Naveena Baboolal WAH 15/16

The MSc course was a brilliant opportunity to get exposure to a large number of specialists - their knowledge but also their various fascinating characters. The resources of the IoZ and the course modules allowed me to delve into so many topics of zoo animal biology and management that I still profit from today. Most of all, the quest for my own MSc topic, and the planning and performing of the experiments and labwork, were a forming experience that made me feel I can achieve a lot if I just set my energy to it, and the drive and confidence I gained at the time is still with me when I plan new projects today. The MSc course gave my body and soul an arena in which to act out the dreams I had at the time, which laid out - without me knowing - the path to my professional future.
Marcus Clauss WAH 97/98

The special design of this MSc course encouraged me to seek answers by myself and through the discussions with the colleagues who have different academic backgrounds and perspectives. Also, the lecturers are the real experts working on various fields, from animal welfare to veterinary medicine, from captive wildlife management to field research, they equipped me with extensive theoretical knowledge and practical skills in both in-situ conservation and ex-situ wildlife management. The most attractive part of the course was to develop my own research based on my interests. I travelled to Yunnan, China to study the human-elephant conflict issue which was a valuable experience and provided a good starting point for my future career in China.
Michael Hui WAH 15/16

Hugo Richardson - MSc in Wild Animal Health

The Masters in Wild Animal Health was a fantastic introduction into the conservation science arena. The course gave us a firm grounding in the basic tools needed for a role in conservation, with a diverse range of speakers providing lectures in their specialist fields, ranging from statistics and virology through to practical classes on remote capture techniques and cetacean rescue. For those interested in a job in conservation, or who just want to discover more about this rapidly emerging field of science, I would highly recommend this course.
Hugo Richardson, MSc WAH 2009/10

Sreejith Radhakrishnan - MSc in Wild Animal Health

'The MSc course in Wild Animal Health was memorable in more ways than one. Personally, it encouraged me to ask critical questions and seek answers, and fit well with my nature to learn by myself. The course gives great emphasis on the diseases and treatment of wildlife from a unique eco-system and conservation medicine perspective, something that is invaluable in today’s changing wildlife conservation scenario. The chance to work with excellent wildlife veterinarians and biologists at one of the premier wildlife conservation societies in the world is also an experience not to be missed. I made great friends and some relationships that will last a lifetime. All in all, this MSc. course brilliantly encapsulates the exceedingly vast field of wildlife and conservation medicine in a short period of one year, and is highly recommended for anyone looking to get into this field.'
Sreejith Radhakrishnan, Assistant Forest Veterinary Officer, Periyar Tiger Reserve, India

Supaphen Sripiboon - MSc in Wild Animal Health

'The MSc Wild Animal Health not only give me knowledge on wildlife veterinary medicine but also open my mind to the conservation aspect, which is very important currently. It’s been also a great opportunity to learn and work with a famous institution like ZSL, IoZ or RVC. Even now I’m back to work at my home country, I still contact my friends and colleagues over there. This course is one of the best experience in my life.'
Supaphen Sripiboon, Kasetsart University, Thailand

Alejandra Montalba - MSc in Wild Animal Health

'I am a Chilean veterinarian that due to my passion for wildlife wanted to continue expanding my knowledge, spending a year in the clinic of Chile's National Zoo and participating in various internships at zoos in Canada and USA. Once working at the Official Veterinary Service of Chile I chose the MSc WAH in order to obtain tools to discover what needs to be done in my country in terms of wildlife. The MSc WAH not only gave me those helpful tools, but also broadened my view about the important role we play as professionals for the conservation of species worldwide.'
Alejandra Montalba, Chile

Sandra Wenger - MSc in Wild Animal Health

'Through the MSc Wild Animal Health I was able to broaden my knowledge in wildlife, zoological and conservation medicine. My MSc project allowed me to gain experience in the field working with free-ranging animals. I met lots of interesting people during my MSc who provided with me further opportunities such as the chance to perform an internship at the Dubai falcon hospital. After my MSc I completed a residency in zoological medicine at the Zurich zoo and became ACZM board certified in 2012. Since 2011 I work as senior lecturer at the Zurich zoo and Clinic for zoo animals, exotic pets and wildlife at the University of Zurich.'
Sandra Wenger, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ECVAA, MSc, University of Zurich, Switzerland