WILD INSIDE ADVENTURES
Wildlife Veterinary Programme
Join an exciting fourteen-day wildlife veterinary programme in the Limpopo Province of South Africa!
Take part in immobilisation and relocation of a variety of species of African wildlife, assist vets during disease testing, and learn how to dart from a helicopter on an extraordinary and exciting veterinary programme.
The Wildlife Veterinary Programme is the ultimate veterinary experience, allowing students and participants from around the world to take part in a unique experience.
During the programme you will work alongside wildlife vets in the African bush, assisting with whatever wildlife work needs doing at the time. This work may include relocation of wildlife, treatment of injuries and testing for and treating disease.
Participants also do their own dart gun practice, and eventually progress to darting from a helicopter!
The programme is not just for veterinary students, and welcomes veterinary technicians, veterinary nurses, student vet nurses/techs, pre-vet students, anyone considering applying for a veterinary related course in the future, or anyone who simply loves wildlife and would enjoy the opportunity.
Mixing the right amount of fun, adrenaline-fuelled experiences, and both hands-on and lecture-based learning, this programme guarantees to send you home with some everlasting, magical African memories.
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THE PROGRAMME:
Your time on the Wildlife Veterinary Programme will be action packed!
Activities will include:
Game Capture/Immobilisation of Wildlife
Immobilization and capture of wildlife can be for a variety of reasons.
One of the main reasons is to relocate wildlife to different reserves. In South Africa, animals are often moved around to assist with conservation, by introducing new gene pools to reserves, preventing inbreeding, and preventing over-population of one particular species, which could be devastating to others if they compete for the same food source.
Other reasons to immobilize wildlife may include treating injuries or illness, or testing for certain diseases, e.g. tuberculosis in buffalo.
As a participant, you will be involved with the whole process!
Species you will work with vary depending what work is available at the time, but may include: rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, nyala, blesbok and sable antelope.
Necropsies
The veterinarian you are working alongside may occasionally perform necropsies. Necropsies are usually performed to try to discover a reason for death.
This can help with disease treatment, or prevention of disease within reserves, and is a great learning opportunity for participants on the programme!
Lectures
Participants also receive lectures while on the programme, including lectures on intensive wildlife breeding, and basic reserve management.
Darting
You will have chance to do your own darting practice while on the wildlife veterinary programme! This activity includes rifle handling and safety, target practice while on the ground, and also darting from a helicopter for those who are adrenaline junkies!
EXCURSIONS
During the two weeks, all students are taken on several excursions. All excursions listed below are included in the cost of the programme:
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Kruger National Park
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Panoramic Route Excursion
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Moholoholo Rehabilitaion Centre
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Graskop Gorge Lift
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Elephant Interacation
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Jessica the Hippo
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Kinyonga Reptile Centre
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Game Drives
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Guided Hiking Trails
If you are interested in doing mixed veterinary work, including wildlife, small animals and large animals, we also offer another project in which a participant's time is split between all aspects of the veterinary field.
If this project sounds more suited to you take a look at our Pre-Veterinary Programme.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is at a private lodge, built on a rocky hill, with en-suite thatched chalets.
All rooms have air-conditioning.
Rooms are shared bewteen 2- 4 participants, depending on the group size.
Wi-fi and a laundry service are available.
Food is included in the cost of the programme, and most dietary requirements can be catered for.
