Conservation

"I am immensely privileged to have a vocation that allows me to explore the world whilst providing veterinary services to animals along my way. My work has taken me around the globe, from the savannahs of Kenya to the vibrant jungle of Costa Rica. "

The aspect of my veterinary career that I find most rewarding and exciting is the opportunity to get out in the world and make a tangible difference to animals wherever they can be found. I have been fortunate in my career so far to combine my job with my love of adventure travel, and take my vet skills to far flung places. My first foray into international veterinary work was at age 19 when I visited India with the NGO Mission Rabies, to embark on a mass vaccination campaign of street dogs against the deadly virus. A spark was ignited which altered my course forevermore, and I have been grasping every opportunity that arises since. 

When I started painting semi-professionally it didn't take long for me to make the decision to use my art to continue my support for the charities that I have worked with. Therefore, in addition to the WWF which needs no introduction, there are a number of veterinary and conservation based NGOs which I am proud to continue to support beyond the point at which I board my homeward flight. By donating a proportion of profits from sales of selected artworks, in addition to donating my time by volunteering out on the ground, real animals in need can be helped. ​

It is important to me that I don't just use the image of an animal for my own benefit - if I use a photographer's reference image I pay them, but the animal gets nothing. If I am to use their likeness then I want them to benefit in some way too. By donating a proportion of profits to these NGOs I know that the animals are getting a form of payment; whether it be helping to fund veterinary care that directly helps them, or conservation projects that benefit the species or ecosystem on a wider level.

Conservation Projects & Causes

Create Conservation Project/Cause - Working in rural communities of Narok, Kenya | Chloe Donovan

Vet Aid Kenya

Whilst attached to VetAid I spoke to many families around Narok to collect data for my undergraduate research project about the veterinary challenges of raising livestock in the Mara. The voices of communities in such remote areas are not often heard in academic research, and there was little published data to tell what problems they faced, and therefore what solutions were needed. ​

With human-wildlife conflict so often being a major threat to endangered species, it is vital that research is conducted to highlight what the origins of conflict are, and what can be done to allow...

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Create Conservation Project/Cause - A safe refuge for Kenya's wildlife | Chloe Donovan

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Lewa is considered to be the leading pioneer in private rhino sanctuary in East Africa, which has seen their population grow from 15 to 169. For all the species that Lewa harbours, it represents a safe and abundant landscape in which they can thrive. ​They also invest in active species-specific measures, such as building a highway underpass to allow Elephants to undertake their natural migration without encountering lethal traffic, and providing a predator-proof breeding area for the critically endangered Grevy's Zebra, which now means 12% of the world's population reside there.

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Create Conservation Project/Cause - Safeguarding the wildlife and habitats of Madagascar | Chloe Donovan

The Mad Dog Initiative

In June 2022 I spent some time with the Mad Dog Initiative in the Andasibe rainforest region, home to the legendary Indri - the largest of the lemur species, and Critically Endangered.

Their June 2022 outreach campaign, in partnership with Travelling Animal Doctors, saw 277 community dogs vaccinated against Rabies and 211 neutered. This vital work not only contributes to canine welfare, but helps to protect human and wild mammal populations. The dogs living at the edges of the protected areas, such as the Analamazoatra National Park, pose a physical and microbiological threat to the...

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<em>Edit Conservation Project/Cause</em> NATUWA Wildlife Sanctuary - Protecting the native wildlife of Costa Rica | Chloe Donovan

NATUWA Wildlife Sanctuary

Working alongside the Costa Rica government NATUWA are committed to caring for the beautiful wildlife of Central America. ​With an onsite veterinary clinic, a dedicated biology programme and a devoted team of carers, these rescued animals can live out their lives with exceptional care - and where possible, be released back into the wild where they belong.

As well as caring for the essential needs of the animals under their care, NATUWA are also passionate about conservation. They support Macaw conservation by supporting reproduction and a rescue, rehabilitation and release program....

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