Orangutan Veterinary
Advisory Group
Established in 2009, the Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Group is a global network building capacity, community, and conservation impact across Borneo, Sumatra, and beyond.
The OVAG network was established in 2009 in response to an urgent need for capacity building in wildlife health and management in Indonesia and Malaysia. The network empowers Indonesian and Malaysian wildlife health practitioners and academics to formulate plans relevant to all wildlife health management needs — plans that are respected and utilized by decision makers.
Orangutans are highlighted as a focus species as they are widely held and studied in Indonesia and Malaysia, and provide an excellent bridge species between wildlife and public health. The skills developed under the One Health concept also have much wider benefits for human and ecosystem health.
Free annual training for veterinarians and conservation managers at orangutan rescue and rehabilitation centers across Southeast Asia — hands-on, multilingual, and moderated by world-class experts.
Building lasting connections between veterinary sanctuary staff, healthcare workers, zoologists and professionals across Indonesia, Malaysia, and the international conservation community.
Providing evidence-based statements on disease risks and welfare policy that are acted upon by conservation projects and Government alike — from Ebola protocols to euthanasia guidelines.
The centrepiece of OVAG’s capacity building is an annual five-day, intensive training workshop. Moderated by experts from around the world, it acts as a catalyst to build capacity of those working to improve orangutan health at sanctuaries, national parks, wildlife offices, zoos, universities, and communities.
Delegates benefit from new professional alliances and ongoing financial support for medications and equipment. Methods of training are tailored to the topic covered and the international, multilingual nature of the audience.
Parasitology, CPR/emergency care, anesthesia and surgical techniques.
Structured discussions that cement formal classroom concepts.
Different approaches and languages to accommodate all backgrounds.
Networking that creates lasting partnerships and field resources.
Statements from OVAG on Ebola, tuberculosis and hepatitis status in orangutans have been acted on by conservation projects and Government alike. A welfare and euthanasia policy has also been agreed on by all participants.
In 2017, OVAG became the official disease risk communication conduit for the orangutan Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) — a landmark recognition of the network’s authority and credibility.
When Chester Zoo Animal Health staff and the Orangutan Conservancy began the OVAG initiative, it was recognised that for sustainability and maximum impact, this must be seen as a locally-driven programme.
Established in 2013, the committee comprises Indonesian and Malaysian vets and ecologists who have been core members of OVAG — engendering trust across a broad network.
Managers, decision makers and Government officials are regularly invited to share knowledge and observe first-hand how OVAG has contributed to wildlife health management.
INDOHUN (via UGM) and MyOHUN (via UPM) networks provide the capacity to expand OVAG-led material into postgraduate learning in perpetuity.
A long-term partnership between UGM, Chester Zoo, Liverpool University and the Orangutan Conservancy facilitates engagement with universities and zoos internationally — sharing knowledge, exchanging veterinary staff, and further educational experiences on a much wider level.
