Abstract

An innovative approach to supporting in situ efforts was established in 1999 through the collaboration of Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ) and the Indonesian Veterinary Association (IVA). Woodland Park Zoo used monies from the WPZ Conservation/Education Committee as a funding source to match funding from the IVA. Topics for the training course in zoo, wildlife, and non-domestic pet medicine were determined by the participating IVA chapters and lecture materials were developed by the course instructors. Indonesian lecture sites were zoos, universities, and wildlife rehabilitation centers on Java, Kalimantan, Bali, and Sulawesi. Over 200 veterinarians attended the training courses that were 1–4 days in length and consisted of both lectures and practical laboratories. An Indonesian veterinarian was selected by the IVA to attend a 3-months training period at WPZ in 1999 that included attendance at a national conference. That same individual has been responsible for planning and scheduling subsequent training courses in Indonesia through the direction of the IVA membership and officers. Future training courses are to include zookeeper staff to address topics in animal keeping. This collaboration demonstrates an innovative organizational scheme that meets the needs of the individuals involved and sets the framework for continued collaborations.