#47 Rita and the cottontail rabbits (Portugal & Angola)

In this episode, you will meet Dr. Rita Santos, a veterinarian whose passion for wildlife has taken her across continents. From rehabilitating cottontail rabbits and hummingbirds in Minnesota to treating wildlife in the UK, Rita shares insights from her diverse experience in wildlife medicine. We discuss the fascinating differences between European and American rabbits, explore the challenges of wildlife rehabilitation across different countries, and learn about her research on blood parasites in Portuguese owls. The conversation culminates with Rita's current ambitious PhD project - studying the health of gorilla and chimpanzee populations in Angola's Mayombe forest, where she aims to bridge the gap between wildlife conservation and human health in one of Africa's most understudied regions. This episode offers a unique glimpse into the varied world of wildlife health and the exciting challenges that lie ahead in great ape conservation.Links Rita's LinkedIn profile: linkedin.com/in/ritabarriosantos Rita's Researchgate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rita-Santos-38   Rita's academic profile: https://www.cibio.up.pt/en/people/details/rita-santos/We'd love to hear from you ... share your thoughts, feedback and ideas.