A Message from Our Staff

Director　Dr. Hajime Amasaki　DVM. PhD
Professor of Veterinary Anatomy
Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University

Amasaki-m The university at which I teach offers courses in veterinary science, veterinary technology, animal science and food technology. As of around 5 years ago we have conducted a study tour to learn about Australian wildlife as part of an international exchange programme with the University of Queensland. Feedback from the vast majority of students says that they thought it was truly wonderful to be able to visit Australia , see koalas and other wildlife for themselves and get a feel for their situation. Having the opportunity to see the world outside Japan, they were also surprised by the differing attitudes towards wildlife. Rather than having the usual tourist experience, being able to see actual environmental and wildlife protection in Australia provides a wonderful chance to not only learn about wildlife protection activities and gain an international perspective, but also to be reminded of the importance of wildlife protection in Japan and around the world as well. It is also a great opportunity to gain in-depth specialist knowledge about wildlife conservation. So, I thoroughly recommend that you experience this for yourself.

Executive Director Julia Mizuno BA (Hons), MAJIT
NAATI Accredited Interpreter and Translator
Casual Lecturer, University of Queensland

i-con-julia In the rush of our busy daily lives it is all too easy to lose sight of the fact that we share this planet not only with our fellow human beings but also with a myriad of fascinating creatures - creatures without which the environment on which we rely would not function properly. Due to a variety of factors, including the loss of habitat and the emergence of new diseases, some stress-induced, there are some species of animals that are in danger of becoming extinct and need our help to ensure their survival. AJWCEF’s aim is to support a variety of wildlife conservation activities and research while, hopefully, the human species of animal finds ways in which to live that do not threaten the other animals that co-habit the earth. With the close ties that exist between our countries at a number of levels, we hope that our friends in Japan will lend us their support in attempting to restore and maintain healthy populations of Australia’s unique, but endangered, animals. Ultimately, however, it is my hope that one day in the future we will achieve a state of comfortable co-existence between humans and other animals and that organizations such as the AJWCEF become completely unnecessary.