There’s something exhilarating about meeting in person after years of mostly working remotely. For our Wild Welfare team—scattered across the globe—our everyday interactions usually happen over Zoom calls, where it has become normal to deal with the occasional frozen screen or the gesturing that “You’re still on mute!”. But in early June, the team broke away from our laptops and came together in person amongst the lush rolling landscapes of South West Wales. For some of the team it was the first opportunity to meet one another after years of working virtually.
Much of our discussion centred around how we can take our work to the next level. Whether through advancing our animal welfare training offers, or technical assistance services offered to animal care facilities. We’re always asking ourselves: how can we maximise our reach and do more to support better animal welfare outcomes globally?
The meeting allowed for our team to discuss key matters of importance that help to drive forward our collaborations and projects. As our Chairman, David Jones, explained “Bringing our team members together provides the opportunity to strengthen connections within our Wild Welfare family and with key partners across the globe. To realise our vision, we compassionately work as much with people as we do with animals”. This philosophy underpins how we continue to build strong, lasting positive change for captive wildlife.
Our alliance with the Civet Project is a glowing example of this, illustrating how these vital in-person discussions directly forge and strengthen partnerships which are crucial to achieving our mission. Forging strong long-lasting relationships with key partners has always been a cornerstone of our philosophy. From our up and coming work on-the-ground with Sun Bear caregivers in Borneo, supporting the introduction of positive reinforcement training which will allow the bears greater choice and control over their newly redeveloped enclosures, to ongoing collaborations with national and regional zoological associations to provide advanced animal welfare auditor training across Asia. These connections are the very foundation upon which we can build towards better lives for captive wild animals, with each opportunity starting at the discussion table.
Our diverse team collectively holds decades of valuable knowledge and experiences of working with captive wildlife. Together we have worked hard to develop a range of resources for zoo, sanctuary, and rescue center staff, that aid the development and outcome of better animal care practices and promote good welfare. Behind every training guide or presentation is a story, one that we aim to share with compassion and clarify with our sanctuary, zoo, aquarium and rescue centre partners. But how can we ensure that our team is able to work as effectively and efficiently as possible?
Co-founder George Groves wisely encouraged us to take a moment to step back and consider the bigger picture before us. “It’s easy to lose focus in the day-to-day,” she reminded us. This exercise allowed us to clearly map how our individual project successes contribute towards our overarching strategic goals, ensuring that our collective efforts are always moving us closer to a world where captive wild animals are able to truly thrive.
Plans ranged from immediate tactics for upcoming project trips in South Africa and Singapore, to succession planning to ensure our charity can continue to roll out our vital programmes to animal care communities for years to come.
With animal caregivers in over 70 countries already using our multilingual resources, whether it be a sanctuary worker in South America or a zookeeper in Europe, our strategy is to ensure vital animal welfare knowledge reaches all corners of the globe. Our freely accessible resources are a key part of our vision to make deep rooted change where it matters the most. By equipping these dedicated individuals with essential skills and working knowledge, we’re fostering a global community of informed caregivers, who collaboratively raise welfare standards and create a lasting positive impact for animals worldwide. We were excited to discuss how these resources can be made available in even more languages in the near future, further widening their impact.
As a science led organisation, we strongly rely on following the most current and up to date research. Professor Carol Kline was on-hand to join us around the table by video call, to present us with her innovative work charting animal tourism trends. We’re very proud to be assisting with and advocating for her study which aims to better understand the rapidly growing animal tourism sector by identifying the types of animal experiences available around the world, the species involved, and their global trends. To accomplish this, Carol’s team is building a global database of animal tourism attractions, researchers, national parks, tour operators, state agencies, NGOs, and trade associations to help construct a detailed picture of this vast and mostly undocumented area of animal involvement within the tourism sector. For Wild Welfare, this comprehensive research is vital in providing the evidence we need to identify areas of concern, so we can effectively engage with the industry, and ultimately advocate for stronger welfare standards and more ethical practices for countless animals impacted by tourism worldwide.
Before wrapping up the meeting, our attention turned to our amazing supporters, including zoo donors, trusts and foundations plus the incredible public support we receive from you! Because without your backing, none of our important work could happen. In recent months our amazing donors and fundraisers have braved marathon challenges and hosted activities to raise thousands for our global projects. Every donation means we can be there for more animals in need. As our team once again went our own ways, dispersing to our own corners of the globe, we left with a renewed sense of togetherness and determination. Our task continues to be complex and challenging. However, meetings such as this remind us that with the right people, support, energy, and vision, we can continue to strive forward toward a world where all captive wild animals can thrive, and live a good life.
Want to help us and be a part of improving captive animal welfare worldwide? Check out our regular giving web page and become a Welfare Warrior!
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