Strengthening One Health Skills Through Fieldwork in Laos: Thaixiong’s Fellowship Experience with WWF in Wildlife Markets

Learning Wildlife Monitoring and Community Engagement for One Health

When Thaixiong joined the SEAOHUN 2025 Fellowship Program hosted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Laos, he hoped to move beyond the classroom and gain firsthand experience in the field. He already understood the concept of One Health—that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected—but wanted to see how it applied in real-world settings. Wildlife markets, where the risk of zoonotic disease spillover is high, became his classroom, and the fellowship transformed both his skills and outlook.

From Theory to Practice

Before the fellowship, Thaixiong’s knowledge of One Health was largely theoretical. He could explain how human and animal health were linked but had not yet experienced how to monitor wildlife trade or assess disease risks in practice. WWF Laos offered him the opportunity to develop technical skills and to learn how to work respectfully with communities at the heart of wildlife trade.

Learning in the Markets

Much of Thaixiong’s work focused on wildlife market surveys. With support from WWF mentors, he learned how to collect accurate data about what wildlife was being traded, identify species with the help of tools like iNaturalist, and use digital platforms such as KoboToolbox and SMART for efficient data management.

Market environments were often busy and unpredictable, requiring not only technical precision but also adaptability. He suggested practical improvements—such as adding extra space in survey forms to capture unlisted species—which improved data completeness and enhanced the quality of fieldwork. 

Building Soft Skills in the Field

Beyond the technical aspects, Thaixiong’s fellowship strengthened his communication and teamwork skills. Speaking with market vendors requires cultural sensitivity and patience. By explaining survey goals clearly and respectfully, he built trust and gathered reliable data. Working alongside colleagues from different disciplines also showed him the value of collaboration across health, wildlife, and community development sectors.

“These experiences taught me how to adapt and problem-solve in real time,” Thaixiong reflected. “One Health is not only about science—it’s also about people and relationships.”

Contributions to WWF Laos

During his placement, Thaixiong contributed to WWF’s One Health initiatives by:

• Supporting the improvement of the wildlife market survey tools in the  KoboToolbox.

• Accurately identifying wildlife species to support risk assessments.

• Mapping survey routes and wildlife trade hotspots for better monitoring.

• Engaging local communities and vendors to ensure ethical and effective fieldwork.

His work added value to WWF’s conservation efforts by improving the quality of data and strengthening the link between wildlife trade monitoring and public health protection.

Shaping Thaixiong Career Path

The fellowship proved pivotal for Thaixiong’s career direction. He now has hands-on experience in species identification, wildlife trade monitoring, and data management, combined with stronger skills in teamwork and communication. These qualifications prepare him for future roles in NGOs, research institutions, or government agencies that focus on zoonotic disease prevention, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem sustainability.

Looking Ahead

Thaixiong is committed to applying what he learned. He plans to support evidence-based policies, contribute to community-based conservation efforts, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration to address One Health challenges. By integrating technical expertise with community engagement, he hopes to help build more resilient systems that protect people, animals, and the environment.