endangered or group-living, can have significant impacts not just on individual health, but also on the survival and well-being of the population, or species, itself. Wildlife diseases also impact human and livestock health, through spillover or emergence of zoonotic diseases, as we have learnt during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was always fascinated by nature and wildlife. Growing up in New Delhi in the 80s, I thought being a vet or working in a zoo was the only way to be close to wildlife. But working with conservation NGOs, and my master’s, opened my eyes to the possibilities of working with animals in the wild and I never looked back. It was during my long-term work in Ladakh that I realized what an important role livestock play in the conservation of wildlife, how diseases could drive populations and spell doom for endangered species. After my PhD, specializing in wildlife diseases, I have dedicated myself to understanding the complex interactions between wildlife, livestock and humans. The disease interface is one of the most important aspects of these interactions, more so given the rise in new and emerging diseases of public health importance, where wildlife play a role. In order to achieve meaningful and sustainable, long-term conservation, we need to highlight the link between biodiversity, nature, and human health and well-being. This remains the driving force behind my work.
