Work with the wildlife

We work with a number of veterinarians, all of whom are very well established. You will join the day to day activities of the vets in the field and, depending on the vet, in the clinic, in South Africa, working with animals ranging from endangered and rare antelope, southern African antelope, buffalo, giraffe, rhino and occasionally lions, elephant and leopard. Depending on the wildlife vet you join, veterinary work may include the following:

Veterinary procedures in the field and clinic

• All wildlife vets work in the field, in surrounding game reserves, on private land and farm land. Veterinary work in the field can often be time consuming, but incredibly rewarding, once an animal is found and treated in some vast reserves in which the vets work. Reserves vary from small private holdings to large reserves home to the 'Big 5", where the wildlife experience is extensive. As a volunteer, you will be responsible for ensuring the animals treated are comfortable and for monitoring the effect of the anaesthesia on vital signs, such as respiratory rate and heart rate. You will also be responsible for assisting in the preparation and administration of low schedule drugs.
• Veterinary procedures can range from operations in the field to working on livestock or within specific wildlife breeding facilities. Depending on the vet, you may also be involved in domesticated animal work in the clinics.

Game capture and translocation

• Many wildlife vets work alongside the game capture industry providing the experience essential for using high schedule drugs in darting animals and being on hand for larger species movements. You will assist with the immobilisation of animals and their safe transportation when moving between reserves or to other countries for breeding programmes.

Medical work on sick and injured wildlife

• You will assist vets with the diagnosis and treatment of various injuries, conditions and diseases of animals, monitoring the animal's health and providing support to the vet.

Medical work on domesticated animals and livestock

• Depending on the vet you are working with, you may work within a clinic environment, treating domesticated animals and working with livestock on surrounding farms. Domesticated animal work is interesting and can often be associated to the dangers of living in a bush environment, such as snake bites or attacks by baboons.
• Farming is still a main income for many locals in South Africa, and depending on the vet you are placed with, you will assist with disease control in herds, management and vaccinations.

Disease control and blood sampling, crucial for disease free buffalo breeding programmes and endangered and rare breeding populations. You will be involved in blood sampling and testing for these populations.

Rhino rehabilitation

• Shimongwe Kwa-Zulu has a rhino rehabilitation based at the accommodation you will stay in for your placement, with the rhinos requiring constant care and feeding while they are being hand reared.

Community veterinary service

• Mobile clinics are taken out into the local community and you will be involved in providing a free veterinary service and advisory service on managing livestock and giving vaccinations to reduce disease spread among populations.

Learn about veterinary drugs and uses

• While working in a professional environment, vets will often give you a briefing before you go out into the field to explain the drugs that will be used or techniques and why. Medical drugs and working techniques can differ in every country and between vets. The particular use of M99 will be explained and the dangers of this drug to the human system.

Shimongwe Limpopo Veterinary Experience

Shimongwe Lowveld Veterinary Experience

Shimongwe Greater Kruger Veterinary Experience

Shimongwe Kwa-Zulu Veterinary Experience