Ep39 Steve Unwin on interconnectedness, community, and people also as part of nature

Dr Steve Unwin, Lecturer in Biosystems and Environmental Change at the University of Birmingham School of Biosciences in the UK, is a European specialist in Zoo Health Management. 

Steve starts introducing how he became into the field of veterinary science and conservation, his work in zoos and other facilities and his time as a veterinary officer and clinical manager at Chester Zoo. Steve thinks that conservation is not about animals, is but about people, and he highlights the importance of storytelling for conservation purposes.

Steve shares his involvement with the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance veterinary programme, through which he also worked together with Sabrina. Steve is not only working with African primates but also with orangutans through the Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Group. He remarks on the importance of capacity building of local primate and wildlife veterinarians, scientists and conservation managers.

Steve explains the differences between the One Health and the One Welfare approach and how it is key to work as an extensive network together. Sabrina and Steve discuss about the need for collaboration between veterinarians and other animal welfare or behaviour experts to get the best for the animals, and their interest in human wellbeing, the wellbeing of people caring for animals and its interconnectedness.

Steve finishes with a story about animals being released back into the wild and one of his first surgery where he learned an important and lifelong message.

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