My name is Chloe and I am a 31-year-old Australian veterinarian who is passionate about species conservation and wildlife medicine. I am fortunate to have lived and worked in some of the worlds’ most remote and exotic locations – from spending a year on Australia’s magical Lord Howe Island, to living and working with the Masai communities of Northern Tanzania, and treating koalas and other wildlife caught up in the bushfires of 2019 on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island.
I am passionate about sharing the work of veterinarians and conservationists around the world, and was inspired to do so after realising just how little is known about it! While most people know about the veterinarians working in general practice, much less is known about those who work in other capacities – from the vets who build and fit prosthetic limbs for elephants that have been injured by landmines in Asia, to those that operate alongside specialist human surgeons to perform complex procedures such as C-sections on pregnant gorillas, or delicate respiratory surgeries on orangutans suffering from a cystic fibrosis-like condition seen in people.
Similarly, little is known about the veterinary epidemiologists who work for organisations such as the United Nations on large-scale disease eradication programs, working to prevent deadly outbreaks before they occur. The same can be said of the veterinary pathologists who work to develop new DNA technology to track a poached animal to its poacher via their fingerprints. Additionally, there are also the veterinarians who play a critical role in the health of people in rural third-world communities by vaccinating their animals against deadly diseases like rabies, and vets who work in laboratories to develop the latest cancer-therapies for humans and animals alike.
The cross-over between species conservation and veterinary medicine makes for a diverse and exciting field, and one that I am proud to be a part of. I have created this community as a place to share stories of conservation efforts from around the world, as well as some truly amazing medical feats – such as this toucan who had a 3D-printed beak made for him after his was broken during a wildlife trafficking incident. But you will also find much more in these pages – from interviews with vets and conservationists all over the world, to volunteering opportunities, student trips and even scholarships – so scroll down to start exploring!
Show me around!
So, it’s time to get going!
As you’ve just heard, you can explore the blog for the latest adventures and stories about everything from toucans with 3D-printed beaks and orphaned orangutans attending “forest school”, to how microplastics in the ocean are interfering with whale shark reproductive cycles… Keep your eye out for new posts each week!
Next, make sure to check out the JD Community for interviews with a range of accomplished and inspiring conservationists from all over the world, including some very special guests later in the year! Scroll down from here and you’ll find some of our favourite #jungledoctor(s) on IG – so make sure to tag your pictures with #jungledoctor to join in!
Over on the Where In the World page, stay up to date with where we are and what projects we’re working on at the moment! Once travel resumes as normal, join us tagging pufflings (baby puffins!) in Iceland, and then on to Borneo to work alongside orangutan vets on the frontline of the war against unsustainable palm oil. Or, perhaps you are a student aspiring to work professionally with animals, in which case our Loop Abroad programs might be of interest to you!
And finally, a page just for the many students, aspiring conservationists and wildlife veterinarians, qualified veterinarians, techs, nurses, biologists, and more, who are interested in a career working with wildlife…
The question I get asked most frequently from students and qualified professionals alike is how to pursue a career working with wildlife, or how to get more involved in working with wildlife.
While this is a big question with many pathways and options that I’ll be discussing in a blog post soon, my favourite answer by far is to volunteer! Volunteering, when done right, is not only a great way to donate your time and expertise to a worthy cause, but also a fantastic way to gain valuable experience with handling and treating wildlife, while meeting people already working in the field. In fact, I am such a big fan of volunteering that I have created an entire Get Involved page featuring a range of ethical and dedicated organisations that offer volunteering opportunities for veterinary professionals, biologists, marine scientists, techs, nurses, doctors, and students. Many of these places host skilled volunteers (and students) free of charge, asking only that you cover your own food and board, and I couldn’t recommend them more.
I hope this can be of use to some of the many people I hear from who are looking to use their expertise in a meaningful way, or the students and vets who are aspiring to pursue a career in wildlife medicine! Stay tuned for additions to the list, as well as a section specifically for student externships, and another for post-graduate short courses in wildlife medicine that I highly recommend.
Speaking of staying tuned…
In 2020, the annual JD Conservation Scholarship launched to support students, professionals and small-scale organisations in pursuing their studies, projects and work in a range of different conservation activities. Make sure to check back later in the year for 2022’s Scholarship opportunity – 2021’s recipient was the Meru Animal Welfare Organisation in Tanzania!
And, most excitingly of all (for me!), JD Student Trips are now live! I often get asked if I take students or volunteers along with me on different projects, and I am excited to have made this a possibility. Visit loopabroad.com for more information – I would love the chance to meet you all one day!
And that takes us to…
Saying hello!
(…And then there were two!!)
In 2018 I married Jan, a fellow veterinarian and conservationist who is originally from Germany. We love to connect with like-minded people, and look forward to continuing to share our adventures around the world with you all! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch or say hello via our contact page, or stay in touch by subscribing to the JD Community below!