Wildlife Veterinary Course
Conservation medicine & practical wildlife veterinary experience
General information
About our Wildlife Vet Program
This is a 12-day program designed to give veterinarians knowledge and hands-on experience in wildlife veterinary work in South Africa. This course is led by experts in the field. It covers topics that will give you a diverse understanding of wildlife veterinary medicine and the challenges faced by conservationists in Africa. The knowledge gained will enable participants to contribute to the conservation of endangered wildlife on a global scale.
- Designed by local wildlife vets for international vets, students & nurses
- Beyond a wildlife volunteer experience.
- Wildlife experience occurs in several nature/game reserves and rescue centres throughout South Africa.
Our Aim
- Offer a high-quality experience where veterinarians, nurses and students can gain knowledge and guided practical experience in wildlife vet medicine and conservation.
- Be exposed to the reality and difficulties of wildlife medicine in Africa.
- Encourage conservation medicine globally.
- Concepts that can only be learned by working with wild animals in their natural environment and among locals.
2024
July
1 – 12
€3100
Fully Booked
Aug
1-12
€3100
Fully Booked
Aug
18-29
€3100
Fully Booked
Program
Methodology
During this 12-day, several lectures are given on power-point with the projector, but others would be told on the bush, using nature as our classroom. This course is designed to allow delegates to participate in a variety of cases, projects and experiences involving African wildlife. The amount of knowledge shared, won’t be only based on tutors presentations, but delegates aim to learn, and questions asked. The course level is an introduction to Wildlife Medicine. However, if delegates have previous experience on that matter, in-depth and specific concepts would be told.
Module 1
Wildlife conservation medicine
The role of the veterinarian in conservation
- Introduction to the work of a wildlife veterinarian in Africa.
- Methodology, materials and equipment of a wildlife veterinarian.
Medical cases
- Participants will be exposed to wildlife medical cases in progress. Interesting case studies will be discussed during theoretical sessions.
- Exposure to real medical cases: Any clinical case, surgery or emergency can happen.
Widlife capture
- Wildlife pharmacology anesthesiology.
- Principles of chemical immobilization.
- Theoretical and practical sessions on the principles of darting.
- Mass capture techniques.
- Real capture – species may include any Southern African mega-herbivore, carnivore or anthologies.
- Exotic especies like tiger may happen from rescue centers.
Widlife management
- Wildlife management objectives.
- Wildlife breeding programs.
- Wildlife contraception programs.
- Wildlife identification, monitoring and tracking methods.
- Wildlife nutrition.
- Population health management.
Animal rehabilitation and breeding centers
- The role of wildlife rehabilitation and breeding centers.
- Various rehabilitation centers will be visited where the emphasis is on the individual animal.
- Raising real orphans and their reintroduction
Infectious diseases in Southern Africa
- A global view of the main diseases affecting wildlife. Emphasis will be given to the prevention of the spread of diseases between wildlife and livestock and those that affect endangered species.
- Diseases associated with captive wildlife.
One Health and Conservation Medicine
- Understanding the complexity of the Wildlife – Human – Livestock interface.
- Clarifying wildlife misconceptions with in the diseases approach.
- Looking for practical solutions with in the complexity to protect wildlife & improve both people & animal health.
Module 2
Conservation & Wildlife behaviour
Protection of nature
- Conservation models based on sustainability and biodiversity.
- Wildlife conservation projects in South Africa.
- Endangered species: Challenges and threats. Their survival is a fight against time.
- Role of the veterinarian in conservation.
- Habitat preservation and resource management for the breeding and protection of wild animal populations.
- The rhino war – is there hope for the future?
Wild animal behaviour
- Understanding animal behaviour is one of the main subjects a wildlife vet needs to grasp.
- Knowledge of each species’ behaviour is absolutely necessary for wildlife management and animal welfare.
- Every day our students will be exposed to wild animals and will be introduced to real nature.
- Elephant social behaviour and handling.
“Close interaction with wild animals will give you knowledge that you never thought possible.”
Module 3
Human – Wildlife conflict
How can conservation improve locals and International lives?
Africa is blessed with a rich and diverse culture, however the rapid population expansion on the continent is having far reaching consequences on the lives of the average African. Traditional
Community based conservation – The biggest threat to wildlife in Africa is human overpopulation, greed and shrinking habitat. A realistic look into the lives of the average rural inhabitant and their perceptions of wildlife.
WILDLIFE VETERINARY COURSE
LEADING VETERINARIANS
Dr. Fabiola Quesada
Wild Spirit CEO
Veterinarian. Wildlife Conservation Medicine
Dr Quesada is the CEO of Wild Spirit. She is a unique veterinarian with one target in life: Improve wild animal conservation and welfare through the veterinary profession. Years of experience, including studying elephants and learning from South African wildlife professionals, have given her a deep understanding of wildlife management and its complex African situation. Her passion and commitment to nature are showing the world the role of vets in conservation.
Dr. Brendan Tindall
Wild Spirit Director
Wildlife Veterinarian. Mega-Herbivores Specialist
Dr. Tindall is considered one of the best wildlife veterinarians in Africa. He specializes in rhinoceroses. His background includes unbelievable experiences as a wildlife vet both in conservation in national parks and private game reserves. His career and dedication to animal medicine, his knowledge of nature, strong ethics and passion for conservation makes of him a role model for our students.
Itinerary
South Africa
12 days, 11 night, unlimited adventures
From
Your country
to
Johannesburg
Due to the unpredictable real wildlife veterinary work, the itinerary is variable. For this reason, it is impossible to ensure the exact location of each event long in advance. The detailed itinerary would be shared with students weeks before the start of the course.
Our patients might be hundreds of kms apart, therefore several hours of traveling are inevitable.
day 1
Meeting at Johannesburg Airport
- Meeting at Johannesburg Airport at 12 pm.
- Departure to first nature game reserve/accommodation.
- Introduction talk.
- Wild Spirit welcoming merchandising pack.
day 2 - 6
Wildlife veterinary work & lectures
- Wildlife Veterinary and Conservation practical work in nature reserves, wildlife farms & rehabilitation centres.
- Talks and presentations.
day 7
Travel to George by plane
- Flight duration 1:45 hours.
- Road trip to our next accommodation.
- Based on timing some vet work or presentations might be possible.
day 8
Wildlife veterinary work & lectures
- Wildlife Veterinary and Conservation Experience on Nature game reserves.
- Wildlife medicine talks and presentations.
day 9
Extra activities
- Great white sharks, Whale wathching, Elephant interaction, Bungee jumping or Zipline in rainforest
day 10-11
Vet Work & Wildlife Conservation experience
- Wildlife Veterinary and Conservation Experience on Nature game reserves.
- Wildlife medicine talks and presentations.
day 11
Evening: Closing ceremony
- Braai (South African barbecue).
- Attendee awarded certificates.
day 12
Journey back
- Drop off at George Airport
ACCOMMODATION
ATTENDEE PROFILE
Vets, nurses & students
Recommended age: 21-40 years old.
Volunteer Vets
Wildlife vets
Leader Vets
Adventurous vets
Vets with wildlife conservation hearts
REQUIREMENT AND ESSENTIALS
- Medium-fluent English level 60%
- Be a vet, nurse or student 100%
- CV selection 40%
- Be healthy 50%
- Open mind 90%
- Aims to learn 100%
BOOKING
2024-2025 Course Fee
€3100
FEE INCLUDES
12 day Wildlife Veterinary Course & Practical
Veterinarians Teaching daily fee
- Participants will be exposed to wildlife medical cases in progress. Interesting case studies will be discussed during theoretical sessions.
- Exposure to real medical cases: Any clinical case, surgery or emergency can happen.
12 days/ 11 nights accommodation
Teaching materials
- Tuturos presentations and PDFs
Certificates
- Wild Spirit certificate
- This course has been recognise as practical experience by several vet universities
Transport
- Picking up from Johannesburg airport
- Dropping off George Airport
- Bus transport to accommodation and various working locations: In some courses our driving distance excede 1000Km
- Entrance fee on farms/ natural game reserve where we will be working.
Safaris/Game drives
- By car
- By helicopter
Meals (80% of the meals)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Wild Spirit Welcome pack
FEE DOESN’T INCLUDE
Flight
- International flight Country of origin- Johannesburg
- Domestic flight, round trip: Johannesburg – George
Some meals
- Lunch on airport days: days of arrival & departure.
- Lunch/Dinner on extra-activities days.
- Meals if eating time is during travelling road.
Extra activities
Insurance
- Travel insurance
- Medical Insurance
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT AND COLLEGE COLLABORATIONS
The quality of this course is backed by the testimonials of previous delegates as well as the support of several universities and organizations around the world involved in conservation and education. This course has been recognized as a practical experience for some master’s degrees.
