Wildlife Veterinary Course

About The Program

Wildlife Veterinary Course offers a two-to-four-week program designed for vets, students, and nurses where you are exposed to the reality of the life of a wildlife veterinarian in South Africa.

You will accompany a veterinarian on his/her workday, get exposed to the capture and care of a variety of different wildlife species, and obtain hands-on experience and a diverse understanding of wildlife veterinary medicine and its challenges.
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Our Aim

Offer a high-quality experience where veterinarians, nurses, and students can gain knowledge and guided practical experience in wildlife veterinary medicine.
Be exposed to the reality and difficulties of wildlife medicine in Africa.
Concepts that can only be learned by working with wild animals in their natural environment and among locals.

Dates

May 10-30,
October 4-31
November 8- 28

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View complete details

Program Content

Due to the unpredictable nature of the wildlife work, during your time with us, you can be exposed to any of the following:

Practical Hands-On Wildlife Medicine

Chemical immobilization -darting, monitoring, transporting (Ground/Air-Helicopter)
Hands-on mass game capture
Translocation and reintroduction – Legal veterinary protocols
Treatment and rehabilitation of injured and sick animals
Disease testing and quarantine
Pregnancy diagnosis and ultrasound
Stool sampling and fecal egg counts
External parasite identification
Necropsy

Herd Health & Breeding Programs

Habitat evaluation and rehabilitation
General herd health assessment
Breeding programs management
Parasite control - dipping, de-worming and monitoring
Micro-chipping, ear-tagging, foot trimming, and horn measuring

Herd Health & Breeding Programs

Habitat evaluation and rehabilitation
General herd health assessment
Breeding programs management

Interactive Lectures

Safety and emergency procedures
Wildlife Industry
Mass capture techniques.
Principles of chemical immobilization
Wildlife pharmacology / anesthesiology
Species-specific pharmacology
Darting equipment
Dart gun handling and target practice
Wildlife diseases
Capture related problems

Anti-Poaching Initiatives

Human-Wildlife conflict
Poaching and illegal hunting methods - snares, foot traps, and hunting dogs
Collaring and tracking methods
Rhino Dehorning
The illegal wildlife trade

Community Outreach Projects

Educating the young about wildlife and its importance

The life of a wildlife veterinarian has no set hours, so students need to be ready for very early mornings that finish early afternoon or that continue until late evening, call-outs at night, and from time to time work during the weekends.

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Itinerary

Arrival/Departure

Students should book their flights so that they arrive on a Sunday morning at OR Tambo International Airport and fly out late Saturday evening. A shuttle will be waiting for you at arrivals and drive you to the Game reserve (two-hour drive). On the final day, a shuttle to the airport will also be provided.

Dates

May 10-30,
October 4-31
November 8- 28

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Course Fee

Applications

2 Weeks - $3,240 USD
3 Weeks - $4,560 USD
4 Weeks - $5,640 USD

Confirmation of your booking requires a non-refundable deposit of 50%.

2 weeks: $1,620
3 weeks: $2,280
4 weeks: $2,829

Attendies will need to pay 30 days before arrival the remaining 50%

If they cancel the trip within 30 days before arrival the total value in non refundable
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Prices for 2027 on request

WHAT IS INCLUDED: Accommodation, Food, Shirt and Cap, Teaching materials, Transfer to and from the Game reserve.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:Flights to Johannesburg, Medical Insurance, Luxury items (chocolate, soft drink, chips, cigarettes, alcohol, etc), Trips on days off (excursions are not guaranteed, are subject to availability of transport and project time restraints).

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