Integration of wildlife veterinarians into emergency management: developing an Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists chapter-led position statement

Authors: Campbell-Ward ML, Wicker L, Spielmanc D, Tobias GR, Vitali SD
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume Ahead of Print, Issue Ahead of Print, Dec 2026
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Wildlife
Article class: Research Report

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Abstract:

Aims: To outline the process involved in researching, developing and ultimately publishing the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) position statement Integration of Wildlife Veterinarians into Emergency Management and explore the key themes that emerged.

Methods: Led by a working group of the ANZCVS Zoo and Wildlife Chapter, a six-step methodology guided the development of the position statement: internal stakeholder consultation; recruitment of working group members; theme-based integrative reviews of literature and other evidence; drafting of the position statement to align with ANZCVS policy; formal approval; and publication.

Results: Five key themes for review were identified: scope, drivers of emergencies and time scales; wildlife welfare; expertise required for decision-making; legal considerations; and mental health. Review-based recommendations were incorporated into a concise position statement, published on the ANZCVS website. The statement is:“Emergency management systems and planning must consider impacts on wildlife and comply with animal welfare, biodiversity and veterinary legislation. Incident management training and role statements including skill pre-requisites for wildlife responders are necessary. Triage and intervention protocols for affected wildlife should be practical, evidence-based and welfare-focused. This requires integration of the expertise of wildlife veterinarians in emergency prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Emergency agencies should liaise with professional organisations for current wildlife veterinarian contact information to facilitate rapid deployment.

Ethical, mental and physical pressures on veterinarians in emergencies must be acknowledged and mitigated through collaborative planning, consultation and resourcing.”

Conclusions and relevance: The development of the position statement provides expert leadership on the importance of integrating wildlife veterinarians in all phases of emergency management, from prevention and preparedness to response and recovery, to improve wildlife welfare outcomes. Wildlife veterinarians bring a sound understanding of species-appropriate welfare assessment, triage protocols and relevant legislation to emergencies. Their pre-existing relationships with other important wildlife responders (including wildlife veterinary nurses, rehabilitators, ecologists and veterinarians with less wildlife experience) significantly leverages local capacity and capability. Integrating wildlife veterinary expertise ensures wildlife interventions (reconnaissance, capture, handling, treatment, rehabilitation, husbandry and release) are conducted safely, rapidly and with consideration of the unique requirements for wildlife welfare. The position statement also highlights the ethical and psychological pressures of wildlife emergency responses for veterinarians and encourages managers to anticipate these in risk mitigation planning.

KEYWORDS: Wildlife, wildlife veterinarian, emergency, position statement, wildlife welfare, veterinary mental health

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