A two-day refresher course on chemical immobilization, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation is under way for the western region at Hotel River Valley, Khuruthang, Punakha on 4th January. The refresher course is attended by 21 focal officials for animal rescue from the western forest divisions of Dagana, Gedu, Paro, Wangdue, Tsirang, as well as from the Jigme Dorji National Park and Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve. At the opening ceremony of the course, the Chief Forestry Officer of Wangdue Forest Division graced it as Chief Guest and said that the training is apt and timely as the nation is overwhelm with many cases reported from the field.

The course is designed to provide both theoretical and practical sessions on animal health and rescue, animal handling and safety, wildlife restraint, chemical immobilization and a series of talks and discussions to share their experiences in the fields. Adequate hand-on training on safety measures of drug and tranquilizing drug preparation and handling were also covered.

The course is organized by the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research in close collaboration with the Nature Conservation Division of the Department of Forests and Park Services with financial assistance from the Bhutan for Life. The training concludes on 5th January 2022 while a series of similar trainings will be organized for Central and Southern regions as well.