Asma Bileh Hersi (2022)
Alumni Diploma Students
I obtained a Diploma in Animal Health Science from IGAD affiliated school in Somalia and a Degree of veterinary medicine from Makerere University, Uganda. After graduations, I started working at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in northern Somalia (Somaliland)- where I was involved in rescuing cheetahs from poachers. While working with CCF I had chance to confiscate quite number of cheetah cubs and Leopard from poacher by providing them necessary first aid they required in order them to survive before they reach to the safehouse.
Cheetahs in Somaliland are mostly threatened by illegal wildlife trade. Giving an especial care for confiscated individuals was part of my responsibility and many of confiscated cheetahs given by all kinds of treatment and necessary emergency aid they needed included dehydration, wound dressing, calming them down if they are too aggressive before transporting them to the safe house (sanctuary).
Moreover, being able to enroll in PGD in International Wildlife Conservation course and working closely with WILDCRU offers me a great chance to learn a wide range of knowledge, experience, and skills regarding integrated conservation actions. In my final project I would like to focus on the Prevalence of FCoV in both confiscated and wild cheetahs in Somaliland.