Entries by Bronwyn Hayes

Feline Infectious Peritonitis

November 28, 2025 in , , , , /by

Feline Infectious Peritonitis What is FIP? Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease of cats caused by certain strains of a virus called the feline coronavirus. Most strains of feline coronavirus are found in the gastrointestinal tract and do not cause significant disease. These are referred to as feline enteric coronavirus (FeCV). Cats infected with FeCV usually do not show any symptoms during the initial viral infection, but may occasionally experience brief bouts of diarrhea and/or mild upper respiratory signs from which they recover spontaneously. FeCV-infected cats usually mount an immune response through which antibodies against the virus are […]

South Africa’s First Holistic Animal Welfare Workshop Delivered at Joburg Zoo

November 27, 2025 in , , , , /by

South Africa’s First Holistic Animal Welfare Workshop Delivered at Joburg Zoo South African captive animal welfare received a major boost this month, following a four-day interactive workshop hosted by the Johannesburg Zoo (JCPZ). Guided by international animal welfare charities, Wild Welfare and Wild Welfare US, this landmark occasion gathered over 60 animal care professionals from across the region, for the country’s first ever holistic training event on animal behavioural management. Proceedings began with a key address from Wild Welfare Co-Founder and Field Director Dave Morgan entitled “Exploring the Role of Empathy in Animal Welfare” which introduced the guiding principle that […]

A New Partnership for the Management of Kundelungu National Park

November 19, 2025 in , , , , /by

A New Partnership for the Management of Kundelungu National Park It is with great pleasure that I share the news of another agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), and African Parks for the long-term management of Kundelungu National Park. This partnership marks an important milestone in our mission, with Kundelungu becoming the 24th park in the African Parks portfolio. Spanning over 8,165 km² in southeastern DRC, the park is a diverse landscape of escarpments, grasslands, miombo woodland, and wetlands, and is home to the […]

Historic Veterinary Assessment of 62 Big Cats and Two Bears Completed in Argentina

November 26, 2025 in , , , , , , /by

Historic Veterinary Assessment of 62 Big Cats and Two Bears Completed in Argentina FOUR PAWS concludes first part of emergency mission at former Zoo Luján Largest big cat veterinary assessment in Latin America completed in less than a month. Most animals examined had health issues; emergency surgeries and treatments performed. Next steps: Relocation of the bears and finding long-term solutions for the big cats. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS successfully completed a large-scale veterinary assessment at the former Zoo Luján in Argentina on 14 November, marking the end of the first step in a comprehensive emergency mission. In less […]

One Health. One Planet. Our Responsibility.

November 25, 2025 in , , , , /by

One Health. One Planet. Our Responsibility. Time for action: a joint statement of the EU Cross-agency One Health Task Force and the European and Central Asia Quadripartite on One Health As wildfires, heatwaves, floods and other interconnected crises intensify in 2025, recognizing the link between human, animal and environmental health – and acting across sectors – is essential. This World One Health Day, 9 international organizations make 4 key recommendations and call for action nationally, regionally and globally to advance the implementation of the One Health approach in Europe and beyond. As representatives of the European Union (EU) Cross-agency One […]

Our lifesaving work in Jamaica

November 24, 2025 in , , /by

Our lifesaving work in Jamaica Our Animal Rescue Team is on the ground in Jamaica, helping animals following the destruction left by Hurricane Melissa. The conditions on the ground are heartbreaking. There is no power, and many of the hardest-hit areas remain inaccessible and out of contact, making basic resources like food, clean water and supplies limited. We’ve been helping a local shelter, Negril Pup Rescue, which is caring for 90 animals, with immediate needs such as food, and with long-term recovery plans, as their building sustained significant damage. We’re continuing to provide critical supplies across the island, assessing where […]

15 Years of Partnership in Chad

November 23, 2025 in , , /by

15 Years of Partnership in Chad Since 2010, the Government of Chad and African Parks have partnered to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development across several protected landscapes. From Zakouma and Siniaka-Minia national parks in the south to the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve in the north, and the Aouk-Keita landscape in the southeast, this partnership aims to contribute to the restoration of critical ecosystems and the promotion of a sustainable use of large, complex landscapes.  As we reflect on fifteen years of partnership and its challenges, we are reminded of how significant these landscapes are, not only for Chad […]

Mutilations of Goats

November 22, 2025 in , , , , , , /by

Mutilations of Goats Goats are adapted to the farm environment, instead of vice versa Farmed goats are subjected to several painful interventions. These interventions are mostly carried out without anaesthesia and pain relief. Why? For more economic efficiency and thus cheaper animal-derived products. Dehorning, disbudding Purpose: To prevent animals injuring each other or the staff in a restricted space. It is a supposed solution for inappropriate animal husbandry1. Today’s goat keeping systems do not meet the needs of the animals and therefore injuries do occur and are used as arguments to perform disbudding or dehorning. Procedure:  Disbudding/dehorning: Before the horns erupt, […]

South African Veterinary Association Discourages Engagement With Cape Fur Seals This Holiday Season And Reminds Of Rabies Risk.

November 21, 2025 in , , , , , /by

South African Veterinary Association Discourages Engagement With Cape Fur Seals This Holiday Season And Reminds Of Rabies Risk. The South African Veterinary Association urges the public to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines during the upcoming summer holiday season when encountering Cape fur seals. While these marine mammals form an integral part of our coastal ecosystem, it is crucial to recognise that human-wildlife interactions can have severe consequences. Recently, reports of aggression related to positive rabies cases have been noted in Cape fur seal populations. Seals may also carry other diseases that can be transmitted to humans and have sharp […]

This Beloved Animal Is Back From The Brink Of Extinction — With One Big Caveat

November 20, 2025 in , , , , , , , , , /by

This Beloved Animal Is Back From The Brink Of Extinction — With One Big Caveat Decades of protection helped these sea creatures recover. So why are some scientists worried? Scientists who study wildlife are often the bearers of bad news — this species or that is headed for extinction for the usual reasons, like deforestation or climate change. Just last week, for example, I wrote about new science showing that two valuable coral species in Florida were mostly killed off by global warming. But earlier this month, researchers announced something overwhelmingly positive: Green sea turtles, the iconic marine species made […]