Qualification - B.V.Sc / M.V.Sc
Experience - 0-3 years
Role Context -
The Veterinary Surgeon is responsible for providing veterinary healthcare support to captive elephants under government and private ownership across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The role focuses on preventive healthcare, emergency veterinary interventions, welfare monitoring, disease management, capacity building of elephant handlers, and stakeholder engagement to promote scientific and humane management of captive elephants.
The incumbent will work closely with Forest Departments, Animal Husbandry Departments, protected area authorities, elephant owners, mahouts, and other stakeholders to strengthen captive elephant welfare and healthcare systems while ensuring compliance with organizational policies and applicable statutory requirements. The Key Responsibilities are as follows –
- Provide emergency veterinary response and routine healthcare services to captive elephants managed by government agencies within protected areas and other designated locations.
- Conduct clinical examinations, diagnosis, treatment, preventive healthcare interventions, and follow-up monitoring of captive elephants.
- Develop and implement health management protocols for captive elephants based on scientific and welfare-oriented practices.
- Assess welfare conditions of captive elephants and recommend corrective measures for improving health, nutrition, housing, and management standards.
- Support disease surveillance, outbreak investigations, and implementation of preventive health measures for captive elephant populations.
- Conduct post-mortem examinations, where required, and maintain detailed records of findings and recommendations.
Outreach, Training & Capacity Building
- Organize and conduct veterinary health camps for government-owned and privately-owned elephants in consultation with relevant authorities.
- Design and deliver training programmes for mahouts, elephant handlers, owners, and frontline personnel on elephant healthcare, welfare, management, disease prevention, and safe handling practices.
- Conduct awareness and sensitization programmes to promote responsible captive elephant management and welfare standards.
- Provide technical guidance and advisory support to stakeholders on captive elephant health and management issues.
Database Management, Documentation & Reporting
- Develop, maintain, and regularly update a comprehensive database of captive elephants covered under the programme, including identification details, medical history, treatment records, and welfare assessments.
- Maintain accurate records of veterinary interventions, field visits, health camps, training programmes, disease investigations, and outreach activities.
- Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, annual, and special reports as required by the organization and project leadership.
- Document case studies, best practices, success stories, and technical findings for institutional learning and reporting purposes.
- Support development of technical publications, project reports, and knowledge products related to captive elephant healthcare and welfare.
Stakeholder Coordination & External Relations
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Forest Departments, Animal Husbandry Departments, protected area authorities, elephant owners, mahouts, local communities, and partner organizations.
- Coordinate with government agencies and relevant stakeholders for planning and implementation of veterinary camps, welfare assessments, and healthcare interventions.
- Represent the organization during meetings, workshops, consultations, and relevant forums related to captive elephant welfare and healthcare.
- Support partnership development and collaborative initiatives that contribute to improved captive elephant management and conservation outcomes.
Project Planning & Implementation
- Contribute to planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of project activities related to captive elephant healthcare and welfare.
- Assist in preparation of annual work plans, project implementation plans, activity schedules, and technical proposals.
- Monitor project progress against approved objectives, targets, and timelines and provide recommendations for improvement.
- Support implementation of organizational strategies and priorities relating to wildlife health and captive elephant welfare.
Financial & Administrative Responsibilities
- Ensure effective utilization of project resources in accordance with approved budgets, organizational policies, and donor requirements.
- Maintain records of expenditures related to field activities and submit supporting documents and utilization details within prescribed timelines.
- Assist in preparation of activity budgets, resource planning, and procurement requirements related to veterinary operations.
- Ensure proper use, maintenance, and accountability of veterinary equipment, medicines, and project assets.
Compliance, Ethics & Risk Management
- Ensure all veterinary interventions and elephant management activities comply with applicable laws, government regulations, animal welfare standards, and organizational policies.
- Adhere to Wildlife Trust of India’s code of conduct, safeguarding principles, workplace safety requirements, and ethical standards.
- Follow prescribed biosecurity, occupational health and safety, and risk management protocols during field and veterinary operations.
- Ensure confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity of project records, data, and reports.
Any Other Responsibilities
- Collaborate with other Wildlife Trust of India projects and divisions to achieve organizational objectives.
- Undertake any additional responsibilities assigned by the Project Head, Division Head, Principal Investigator, or organizational leadership from time to time.
