Today we’d like to introduce you to Wild Animal Health Fund.
Hi Wild Animal Health Fund, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The Wild Animal Health Fund began in 2012 to fill a need that was being seen again and again by zoo and wildlife veterinarians. Wildlife health threats can spread fast, cross borders, and affect entire ecosystems, but the research and practical tools needed to respond are often underfunded. The Wild Animal Health Fund was created to help change that by providing timely, targeted support for wildlife health research and on-the-ground solutions. That kind of rapid, real-world support is only possible because donors choose to invest in wildlife health.
As a program of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV), we are closely connected to a community of veterinarians, researchers, and wildlife health professionals who understand what is needed in the field. Over time, WAHF has grown to support projects that strengthen prevention, detection, and response, helping turn urgent questions into real solutions that protect wild animals and the places they depend on. Donor support is what keeps this work moving forward. Our supporters are helping deliver practical tools, shared knowledge, and better outcomes for wildlife worldwide. Since 2012, the Wild Animal Health Fund has funded 164 projects, awarding $1.78 million for wildlife health. That impact is a direct reflection of a community of supporters who believe wildlife health is essential to conservation, and who make this progress possible year after year.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Wildlife health work is complex. Diseases do not follow a schedule, field conditions can change overnight, and real progress often depends on many people working together across different regions and areas of expertise.
Another challenge is that prevention can be hard to “see.” Preparedness and early action do not always get attention until there is a crisis. We work to make it clear why investing in research and capacity-building before an emergency is one of the smartest ways to protect wildlife for the long term.
And like many nonprofits, we do urgent work with limited resources. That is why donor support and strong partnerships matter so much. They help us respond faster and sustain the work that keeps animals healthier in the first place.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Nonprofit
Wild Animal Health Fund funds wildlife health research and real-world solutions that protect wild animals and the ecosystems they depend on. Through grant support, we help researchers and field teams tackle urgent needs like emerging diseases, better diagnostics, and stronger monitoring and response.
As a program of AAZV, we stay closely connected to veterinary and wildlife health experts, which helps keep the work we fund practical and grounded. We also share clear, engaging updates so supporters can see exactly what their giving makes possible.
What does success mean to you?
Success looks like real, lasting progress for wild animals. It means the research we fund leads to better tools and smarter decisions, earlier detection, stronger prevention, and more effective care and management for animals in the wild.
It also means building a community of supporters and partners who feel connected to the work and want to keep it going. Protecting wildlife health is not a one-time fix. It takes steady commitment over time.
Pricing:
- WAHF is donor-supported. Gifts of any size help fund wildlife health research grants and practical solutions that improve prevention, detection, and response for disease and conservation challenges. Monthly donors are especially important because reliable, recurring support helps us plan ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wildanimalhealthfund.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/wildanimalhealthfund/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/WildAnimalHealthFund/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/wild-animal-health-fund
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/wildanimalhealth.bsky.social
