WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND APPLIED VETERINARY MEDICINE

Abstract

Wildlife conservation has become one of the main contemporary challenges due to increasing anthropogenic pressures, requiring interdisciplinary approaches that integrate applied veterinary medicine. This chapter aims to analyze the role of veterinary medicine in wildlife conservation, emphasizing its contributions to animal health, biodiversity maintenance, and ecosystem balance. The methodology consisted of a narrative literature review, analyzing books, scientific articles, and technical documents published by recognized authors in the field, such as Primack, Cubas, and Fowler, with emphasis on studies from the last ten years. The results demonstrate that veterinary practice is essential in rehabilitation programs, clinical and surgical management, health monitoring, assisted reproduction, and zoonosis control, directly contributing to reduced mortality and the success of in situ and ex situ conservation initiatives. It is concluded that veterinary medicine applied to wildlife plays a strategic role in environmental conservation and is indispensable for the development of public policies, sustainable practices, and integrated actions aimed at biodiversity protection.