Established in 2024, the EAZWV Helping Vets Help Wildlife Award is an honour presented to an EAZWV member of long standing in recognition for extraordinary contributions to conservation and zoo and wildlife medicine, in alignment with EAZWV’s mission to help vets help wildlife. Award recipients are veterinarians who have achieved extraordinary outcomes or greatly advanced knowledge and capacity in wildlife veterinary science, conservation medicine, species conservation, or zoo animal medicine, and have a long-standing commitment to the respective veterinarian community.

The Award is endowed with a token of appreciation and free registration to the next EAZWV conference.

Candidates can apply by themselves or can be nominated by somebody else.

Eligible candidates will:

• Be EAZWV members for at least five years, in good standing with the association and the conservation and zoo and wildlife medicine community.
  

• Be involved in veterinary zoo work, in wildlife research or conservation projects or within the academic field;
  

• Have made a significant and impactful contribution by one or more of the following:

• Pioneering  effective direct initiatives and innovation 

• Greatly advancing knowledge through research and communication

• Spearheading outstanding capacity building of veterinarians with a direct impact on conservation

• Guiding and inspiring others to outstanding work and achievements

In one or more of these domains:

•  species conservation

• wildlife veterinary science

• conservation medicine

• or zoo animal medicine,

• Be endorsed by two EAZWV members.
  

Application Process:

Each application should include the following:

• Two letters of endorsement from EAZWV members,
• Letter of application (motivation) either from the candidate themselves or from someone putting them forward for this award,
• Full curriculum vitae including list of publications (peer reviewed publications and publications in “grey literature”) and other scientific output; proof of community outreach and community engagement (e.g. professional memberships, active participation in educational programs), list of teaching and training (as trainer/teacher and trainee) 
  

The jury will base their decision on the following criteria: 

The nominee will have, over at least one decade,

• Demonstrated significant contributions in the area of zoo/wildlife/conservation medicine 
• Achieved scientific excellence and innovative approach in these fields 
• Made internationally relevant contribtutions 
• Regularly presented at professional national and international meetings
• Demonstrated outstanding professional leadership with peers and stakeholders

The award winner will be announced at the Zoo and Wildlife Health Conference.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Past Winners:

• 2024: Allan Muir, for his outstanding work delivering the EU Animal Health Law and Confined Establishments handbook.