WDA 73rd Annual International Conference — These Are Our People

At the end of July, I had the pleasure of attending my first-ever Wildlife Disease Association (WDA) conference. Although I’ve long been involved in wildlife work, my conference calendar has typically leaned toward pathology-focused events like AAVLD or ACVP. But this year, with the current political situation, many of us—including myself—have been rethinking travel plans and looking for opportunities to invest in Canadian events. That shift gave me the perfect excuse to finally attend the WDA conference, held in beautiful Victoria, BC.

Peacock from beacon hill drinking water left from a dog dish

Columbian black-tailed deer doe and fawn strolling through Victoria.

It turned out to be an incredible week filled with inspiring talks, meaningful connections, and memorable adventures. I stayed with my CWHC Quebec colleagues in a beautifully crafted house, just a scenic 30-minute walk from the conference centre. Despite my rusty French, they made me feel completely at home—morning birding outings, jogs to the waterfront, late-night sauna sessions, and lots of laughter. I even saw my first-ever rhinoceros auklet (Macareux rhinoceros)! Our daily walks to the conference helped me crush my usual step count and gave us a chance to spot some of Victoria’s urban wildlife, including peacocks in Beacon Hill Park and Columbian black-tailed deer—noticeably smaller than the Rocky Mountain mule deer back home in Alberta!

The CWHC was well represented, both in attendance and in scientific contributions. Our members were involved in five poster presentations and eleven oral presentations and our very own Director, Damien Joly, was part of the organizing team and served as the conference Ombudsman. One of my favourite parts of this conference was the balance between scientific sessions and social time. In the afternoons and evenings we had some great miniature adventures including a picnic at Hatley Castle, a lively auction night at the Sticky Wicket, and an afternoon of kayaking with Ocean River Adventures—which was easily one of my favourites.

CWHC social night — reconnecting with colleagues and affiliates.

CWHC also hosted a social evening at the Bard and Banker, where we connected with not only our regular members but also some of our more far-flung affiliates, including Parks Canada veterinarians and some of our American colleagues.

This conference was more than just professional development—it was a chance to reconnect with old friends, build new relationships, and recharge our collective passion for wildlife health. Being surrounded by people who share our values and enthusiasm reminded me: these are our people.

Written by Dayna Goldsmith, CWHC Alberta

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