Today was the penultimate day of the IWAH course and a true test of our skills, teamwork, and adaptability as we stepped into the lead roles for wildlife chemical capture in the forest.

The jungle served as our alarm clock once again, with peafowls, francolins, and macaques calling out as the first light filtered through the trees. After a hearty breakfast of eggs on toast and fresh Indian fruits, we headed into the forest for another day of hands-on learning at the IWAH (Intervention in Wild Animal Health) 2026 course.  Unlike yesterday, when our tutors took the lead, today it was our turn.  Before setting off, we gathered for a brief discussion to assign teams and roles, to ensure everything would run smoothly in the field. Plans made and responsibilities clear, we climbed into the vehicles to look for the first animal to dart.

Our first opportunity came sooner than expected when a young male Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) appeared alone on the path. Jessica and Nikhil formed the darting team alongside Dr. Parag Nigam and Dr. Issac Lekolool. The dart placement was well executed, and within ten minutes the Sambar was safely recumbent—though rather inconveniently beside a thorny bush. Kathryn and Jessica safely applied the blindfold while Jon led the team in transferring the deer onto a stretcher and moving him to a shaded, flat area. Weighing 147 kg, he was an beautiful animal to work with.  The monitoring team carried out systematic ABC/TBR assessments and placed an IV catheter, running in IV fluids, while the morphometrics and sampling teams efficiently collected their data. Throughout the procedure, he remained stable and required no additional top-up drugs. After administering the reversal agent, we watched with relief as he recovered and returned to his feet.

A quick brunch of sweets and some cookies gave us some energy to head for our next assignment of the day, a Spotted deer (Axis axis). This time, Muktar and Jullia stepped into the darting roles. The forest, however, decided to challenge us.  Humans strayed into the working area, one dart bounced off target, and there was a moment of uncertainty about drug administration. To add to the complexity, the deer sought shelter in a tricky spot up a hill after being darted. These real-life challenges tested our communication, patience, and problem-solving skills. Both teams quickly came together, coordinating efforts to safely reposition the deer to a workable location. It was a good demonstration of teamwork in a challenging setting. Once stabilized, we carried out ABC/TBR monitoring, placed an IV catheter and administered fluids, and completed morphometrics and sampling without complication. When the reversal was given, the deer rose, and after initial disorientation, moved directly toward the direction of his family—a simple yet deeply satisfying moment that brought a collective sense of accomplishment.

After a long, hot and physically demanding day, tea and snacks in the field really hit the spot. We lightened the atmosphere with some games to test our reflexes (drop the stick challenge) and  a charades version of Chinese whispers, reminding us that strong teams are built not only through pressure but also through shared laughter

During the evening debrief, we reflected on the day’s experiences while our tutors provided feedback. Today, we truly operated as primary responders, with the tutors stepping back, allowing us to learn through action. Back at the accommodation, a quick power nap and tea break revived us for the final session of the day, where Nic Masters and Amanda Guthrie delivered an insightful discussion on biobanking and blood gas analysis—topics highly relevant to our everyday practice as wildlife veterinarians in the field.

As the day came to a close, we felt the quiet satisfaction that comes from meaningful, hands-on learning. Today was not just about darting animals; it was about thinking critically under pressure, adapting to unpredictable situations, and working seamlessly as a team. Each challenge strengthened our confidence and reminded us why we chose this path in wildlife health.

Today was one of the most exciting days of the course; we got to immobilize two animals.

The day before, we were divided into two groups, and this morning the roles were assigned for the first immobilization. Everything was very structured. Two people were responsible for darting the animal, with one acting as backup in case the first dart missed. Another person was assigned to place the blindfold and control the head once the animal was down. Others were in charge of weighing, anesthesia monitoring, and sample collection. The sampling team collected feces, ectoparasites, swabs, and blood. It was a great example of how organized wildlife work needs to be, everyone had a clear responsibility.

We drove into the park, and one of our team members darted the animal successfully on the first try. The rest of the vehicles waited at a safe distance until it transclocationsnso approach. Our group immobilized a male chital using a ketamine–medetomidine combination. The induction time was about seven minutes, which is well within the expected range for this protocol.

Once the animal went down, we approached calmly with the stretcher. Some of us transferred him onto it to obtain the weight, and then we repositioned him back onto the ground, ensuring he remained in sternal recumbency to reduce the risk of bloat. Overall, he remained stable. At one point, his oxygen saturation dropped below 90%, so oxygen was administered briefly, and he responded well.

We were in charge of morphometrics. It was slightly challenging because of the number of people working around the animal, but we managed to obtain most of the measurements. At the end of the procedure, themedetomidine was reversed, and the animal recovered uneventfully.     The day ended with an awe looking at the slides of Mass transclocationsnsoles were reassigned for the second group. They immobilized a male sambar. This induction took longer, close to 12 minutes. Because many people would again be working around the animal, it was decided to administer a top-up dose of ketamine to prevent him from becoming too light under anesthesia. The same procedure was repeated while our group observed.

Recovery for the sambar took noticeably longer, likely due to the additional ketamine administered. However, once reversed, he eventually stood and walked away steadily.

We ended the morning with a group debrief. Both tutors and students were happy with how the procedures went.

Later, we headed back to the resort, filled our stomachs, and freshened our strained bodies and minds for our evening sessions. Dr. Isaac Lekolool and Dr. Francis Gakuya, with a lot of experience and knowledge in wildlife, introduced us to wildlife veterinary practices in Kenya. The day ended in awe as we looked at slides of mass translocations of mega herbivores in Africa, and after dinner, some of us stayed back to watch the documentary on the tiger reintroduction at Sariska Tiger Reserve, which was really interesting and fulfilling.

We had a refreshing two-day break before stepping into one of the most anticipated parts of the course. The first day was spent in Jaipur, soaking in the energy of the city, and the following rest day gave us time to recover from both the travel and the intensity of the programme so far. It was a much-needed pause before the next phase began.

Today marked a shift in focus as we began the **Wild Animal Restraint and Anaesthesia** module — a day that will likely stay with all of us for a long time.

The morning session was led by Nic Masters, who walked us through the principles of drug selection in wildlife anaesthesia. He emphasized how drug choice varies across taxonomic groups and discussed specific considerations for cervids. The discussion highlighted how critical it is to balance effectiveness, safety, and species-specific physiology when planning a capture.

Dr. Amanda Guthrie followed with a session on safety — not just in terms of drug handling, but also in planning, preparation, and teamwork. She reinforced that successful capture operations depend as much on coordination and communication as on technical skill.

We were then divided into three groups for focused discussions with the tutors. These sessions covered procedure planning, induction protocols, remote drug delivery equipment, anaesthesia monitoring, and managing emergencies. The conversations were detailed and practical, drawing from real field experiences. After nearly three hours of intensive discussion, we broke for a short lunch before moving into the practical component of the day.

In the afternoon, we split into two groups. One group practiced darting techniques from different distances and scenarios — on foot and from moving vehicles — learning how positioning, angle, and equipment choice influence accuracy. The other group worked on handling an anaesthetised animal: approaching safely, recording morphometrics, collecting samples, monitoring anaesthesia, supporting recovery, and communicating clearly within the team. We later switched roles, ensuring that everyone experienced both components.

For many of us, it was our first time practicing darting, which made the experience both challenging and rewarding. The day was hands-on, detailed, and collaborative — a strong foundation for the upcoming capture exercises over the next two days.

There is still much to learn, but today gave us the confidence and perspective needed to approach the fieldwork ahead with care and professionalism.

Everyone was relieved the thunder storm and rain of the last 24 hours has passed.

We had a civilised start at 9 and Dr Sharma got us straight into enough blood, guts and gore to keep even Dexter happy. 

The damage that big cats and bears can do to humans was shocking, as was the ingenuity of Homo sapiens to maim, trap, poison, bludgeon, shoot and bomb all manner of wildlife, whether for profit, misconceptions or retaliation.

Then we had a fast and furious run through of an impressive array of specimens, which felt a bit like a 90 minute highlights tour of the Natural History Museum. 

After lunch it was a mock crime scene investigation practical. The Honourable Parag was presiding and a motley crew traipsed before his Lordship to be serially discredited. 

We wrapped up with a lecture on capture and translocations of large felids.

Lee and Stuart have come to the end of their presenting/tutoring stints and will be heading off soon. We speak for everyone in thanking them very much for their excellent teaching styles, superb presentations and easy interactions with the whole group that has had a really positive benefit for everyone’s learning. So it’s “goodbye and thanks” to them, and “hello and welcome” to Nick who joined the teaching team this evening.

A Stormy Start and an Unforgettable Amphibian Field Experience at Sariska Tiger Reserve
Winter mornings in Sariska are usually calm and crisp — but this one began with an unusual thunderstorm and continuous rain. What could have been seen as a disruption turned into the perfect backdrop for a deeply immersive and enriching learning experience in aquatic animal biology and amphibian conservation.

Morning Session: Understanding Aquatic Ecology and Disease Investigation
The day began with insightful lectures by renowned experts — Lee Skerratt, Abhijit Das, and Neil Anderson.

The sessions focused on the importance of aquatic animal biology, amphibian ecological significance, disease investigation and management strategies, and monitoring emerging infectious diseases in wildlife.

The discussions highlighted how amphibians serve as bioindicators of ecosystem health, reflecting subtle environmental changes. The biological uniqueness of amphibians, their ecological value, and the global threat of infectious diseases made the sessions both intellectually stimulating and practically relevant.

Practical Demonstration: Tools of the Trade
Following the lectures, participants attended a hands-on demonstration of field
instruments used in amphibian surveys and monitoring. The tutors patiently explained the function and application of various tools, including: data loggers (for temperature and humidity monitoring), Visual Implant Elastomer (VIE) tags, microchips for long-term identification, fluorescent dyes, vernier callipers (for morphometric measurements), and swabs for disease screening.

The practical exposure bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and field
application, giving participants confidence in real-world survey techniques.

Afternoon Field Trip: Into the Wild
Post lunch, the entire group travelled in Gypsies into the forest area of Sariska Tiger Reserve. Equipped with waterproof gear, the participants embraced the rain — which, incidentally, created ideal conditions for amphibian activity.

Pitfall Traps and Species Identification
Different groups were assigned to check amphibian pitfall traps. The captured
amphibians were carefully collected and identified with guidance from the tutors. The fieldwork included species identification, weighing of individuals, morphometric measurements, and skin swabbing for disease surveillance.

After completing the procedures, all amphibians were gently released back near the water bodies, ensuring minimal stress and ethical handling.

River Transects and Active Searching:
The participants then conducted water flow/river transects, and perpendicular transects extending from the rivers for 10-minute timed searches. These systematic survey techniques allowed participants to locate and document amphibian diversity effectively.

By the end of the day, the team had identified several species, including cricket frog, narrow-headed frog, and skittering frog. Each sighting reinforced the ecological richness of Sariska’s wetland microhabitats.

A Magical Return Through the Forest
The return journey through the forest was nothing short of thrilling. Nightfall in Sariska revealed a different world — one that ordinary tourists rarely experience. The opportunity to witness nocturnal wildlife activity added a layer of excitement and exclusivity to the field trip.

The day concluded with a warm bonfire and a grand dinner — a perfect ending to a day filled with learning, rain-soaked adventure, scientific rigor, and unforgettable memories.

Reflections
What began as a stormy winter morning evolved into a profound educational
experience. The blend of classroom learning, hands-on demonstrations, ethical wildlife handling, and immersive field exploration made the day exceptional.

Field-based conservation training like this not only strengthens scientific skills but also deepens our connection with ecosystems — reminding us why amphibian conservation and disease monitoring are vital for the health of our planet.

The day started at 8:14 am sharp!! Students and staff loaded into vehicles for a bumpy ride to Pandupole Hanuman temple in the heart of Sariska NP. The team’s task for today was to undergo a disease risk assessment at the temple focusing on the human wildlife interface.

On arrival at the temple, we were delighted by the half-naked men performing communal bathing. Not what I was expecting! Thankfully we quickly moved to the temple entrance where Dr Parug introduced us to the temple and explained the mythical story of the famous Monkey Temple.

Inside the temple there was an array of bright colours and fragrant smells. We all got to experience some of the religious traditions of offerings and blessings in a central region where pilgrims chant and pray.

Back to lectures for presentation of our DRAs. Students did a great job presenting different problems from tackling plastic pollution to managing the behaviour of non-human primates and zoonotic diseases such as leptospirosis. This was an excellent introduction to managing disease at the wildlife-livestock human interface.

In the afternoon we started the best part of the course!!! According to Dr Lee!! As a fellow Aussie I must agree. We went back into the park to set up drift lines and pit fall traps for our small amphibian study to see what species we could trap overnight.

Travelling back in the vehicle we spotted Chital Deer, Egyptian Vulture and Nilgai. 

I think everyone is excited to see what species of frog we trap tomorrow!

Today was a remarkable day, rich with practical insights into the intricate interface between humans and wildlife . We were engaged in learning about wildlife extension and precision in interpretation, through enjoyable activities.

Dr. Ruchi Badola, The dean of WII enlightened us about importance of natural resources. Our Indian government has launched several initiatives aimed at safeguarding our natural resources, such as the Ganga mission, which focuses on the protection of the Ganges River and its dolphins. Remarkably, volunteers from this mission embraced leadership roles during the COVID pandemic, having been trained by the government.

We participated in an outdoor activity designed to deepen our understanding of the food web and the interconnectedness of various species.  

Later, we had an opportunity to visit a village inside Sariska Tiger Reserve, where we interacted with local village people about their life in such wildlife interface area. Surprisingly they were happy and contented with much acceptance. The day ended with excitement in watching a spotted owlet roosting on a tree branch. It was great to view celestial objects and constellations in sky view app in the night sky.

One week in and yet it has only felt like we have been here for only a couple of days! Today we shift from ecology to disease investigation and mapping. Our breakfast was eggs, parathas, poha, fruit, and of course chai and coffee. We had an introductory lecture on pathological examination and necropsy by Dr Karikalan and then headed out for a necropsy demonstration. We were fortunate to have three carcasses to learn from this year, including a fresh specimen. By mid morning we were in our PPE and the tutors walked us through everything step by step. It was very interesting to apply our foundational pathological exam skills with applications of what kind of diseases, injuries, and poaching is encountered in India. 

For lunch we had dal, rice, paneer, egg curry, and raita! And of course, more chai. Dr Karikalan was very invested in our learning and did some extra spontaneous talks on bloodborne parasites and showed us how to locate them on microscopy and what to expect. 

The afternoon was shifted towards GIS mapping and QGIS programming. Dr. Neil Anderson was very helpful and took us through mapping our data points from yesterday, step by step. Once the data was together you could see all of our minds click with that “aha!” moment and we could start to see how landscape patterns might explain the disease spread we were seeing in the field. 

Dinner was tomato soup to comfort us after our exhaustive day, dal makhani, rice, vegetables, mutton, and gajar ka halwa. It was a full day of field work, data input, good food, and lots of chai tea! 

Tomorrow we keep going! 

-Muktar & Amy

Day 6 of IWAH 2026: Learning, Fieldwork, and a Valentine’s Day to Remember

Dr. Erin Maxted & Dr. Pattanam Zubair Vali

Day 6 of IWAH 2026 unfolded beautifully—coinciding with Valentine’s Day and beginning on a serene note. Cool morning breezes swept through the campus as peafowls filled the air with their calls, some even dancing as if welcoming us to another intense yet rewarding day of learning.

The morning sessions were led by Dr. Rajan Amin. He began with an overview of spatial mark recapture methods and incorporating Bayesian models, which is difficult material to cover in under an hour, but he managed to make it digestible for us veterinarians. He then moved onto an overview of sample designs, requirements, and practical applications. These basic ecological concepts, while they may seem unnecessary to many vets, are essential to working in wildlife conservation, and are surprisingly applicable in the field.

The focus then shifted to epidemiology, where Dr. Stuart Patterson guided us through the principles of disease outbreak investigation. The learning quickly became interactive as we split into smaller teams to brainstorm the requirements for investigating a disease outbreak in wildlife. Each team presented their ideas, creating an open forum for discussion. With participants from many nationalities, hearing diverse perspectives enriched the learning experience and reinforced the value of collaborative thinking.

Theory soon met practice as we moved into the field to investigate a mock disease outbreak. Under the hot sun, navigating thorny vegetation that tugged at our clothes, and encountering numerous “animals,” we were challenged both physically and mentally. Despite the conditions, the exercise was invaluable, teaching us critical techniques for initial outbreak response. A reflective group discussion followed, focusing on lessons learned and areas for improvement—again emphasizing the strength of shared learning.

Later in the day, Dr. Karikalan Matesh delivered a session on disease investigation in free-ranging wildlife, expanding on key considerations and practical challenges. This lecture perfectly set the stage for what awaited us next—field necropsies scheduled for the following day.

As the sun set, the academic intensity gave way to celebration. The day concluded with a Valentine’s night candlelight dinner, accompanied by soft music, laughter, and dance. Sharing the evening with the team made it a fitting and memorable end to a day that balanced rigorous learning with camaraderie and joy.

Day 6 was a reminder that conservation science is not just about data and diagnostics—it’s also about collaboration, adaptability, and the human connections that make challenging work truly meaningful.

Hii everyone

It is Jullia and Tapendra here! We are excited to share with you all about our 5th at the IWAH course. We started the day early due to the activities to be done at the Sariska Tiger Reserve. First we had introduction to pop estimation by doing line transect with Dr Bilal. All the students were divided in 5 different groups and it is the first time me and Tapendra are working together – students  are randomly divided in different groups for each activity which it is a great opportunity to learn and share moments with different students. After the introduction- I was freezing by then – we started the activity which basically consisted of walking in a line for 2 km and record animals that were found on the way. It sounds easy, doesn’t it? But actually we were collecting not just the presence of the animal itself, but also the coordinates, perpendicular distance, time, compass bearing (animal and walk), angular, species and demographic info. I was very lost at the beginning as it is a new thing for me but thankfully my team was very patience to go through the process 100 times until I understood. By the time we finished we waited at the entrance of the park and we had some Chai prepared especially for our group by the lovely forest staff- it was my first time – and a great way to understand more about indian culture and cuisine, some rhesus macaques and babblers were there with us. As proper wildlife veterinarians we were doing visual inspections in a macaque that presented limping ( possibly old fracture on the wrist) and alopecia. Arriving back at the resort, we had an amazing breakfast and we continued with lectures, learning about data analysis and interpretation of the observations collected in the field. After lunch, which fulfilled our souls with smiles and warm, we learned about different technologies that can be applied for wildlife monitoring, such as use of collars and radiotelemetry. We were then divided in two groups and we practiced what it was taught in the classroom. Our groups were tracking two collared tigers that we thought were real for most of the time. We finished the day with two lectures about spatially explicit capture-recapture by Dr Raj and Mammal Behaviour by Dr Bilal. Finally we had an amazing dinner and finished the night hanging out with new friends.