Veterinary Medicine In Conservation Field Trip

• Field trip
• 10 nights

Unique species and procedures

From rhinos and lions to giraffes and buffalo, students will have the chance to work on and learn about cases involving species, diseases and treatments that are unique to Africa.

Gain practical field clinical experience

Students will develop real-world knowledge that can be applied to their studies, including sterilisation, diagnosis, cutting, stitching, drawing blood, as well as learning how to immobilise large animals and test for diseases.

Lectures in the field

Alongside practical learning, students will also receive lectures in the field on subjects such as the anatomy and physiology of Africa’s wildlife, sedatives used by vets in Africa, and diseases that are unique to the region.

See species in their natural habitats

As well as veterinary work, students can go on game drives in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, giving them a broader understanding of animal welfare and wildlife management, while seeing animals like elephants in one of their last population strongholds.

Help save Africa’s wildlife

Vets are the first line of defence in key conservation issues like maintaining genetic diversity and disease management. Students will assist with clinical procedures that support the long-term survival of iconic species.

No unnecessary procedures

Students will only work on real cases that are in the animal’s best interests. Procedures like rhino horn trimming are carried out periodically but the vets don’t perform these solely for training purposes as there can be negative impacts on the animals if repeated too frequently.

Learn to handle a dart gun

An essential tool for tranquilising large animals in the field, students will learn to aim and shoot a dart gun with skill. After getting to grips with darting on the ground, they’ll be taken up in a helicopter to shoot a human-made practice target from the air.

This is a suggested itinerary. Every field trip can be customised to be just right for you and your group.

Lion sanctuary

Base camp - first 7 nights

Welcome to a specialist wildlife sanctuary that saves lions from cub cuddling experiences, the lion bone trade and canned lion hunting. Staying on-site at the centre, students will assist the team that saves lions living in the worst circumstances and provides a lifetime of care in a high-welfare environment.

Lion welfare support

Core activity

Students will get to observe or assist the vet with a variety of work with rescued lions. From immobilising and transporting lionesses for contraceptive surgery to prevent further breeding in captivity, to supporting aftercare following these procedures and performing health checks on recently rescued lions, they will get deep insight into the physiology and conservation challenges of this iconic African species.

Rhino anti-poaching support

Core activity

Students will get to observe or assist an experienced vet carrying out specialist procedures on sedated rhinos in support of anti-poaching efforts. Depending on the vet’s case load during your field trip, this could be humane rhino horn trimming, tagging, ear notching or fitting tracking collars.

Darting course

Core activity

Students will receive expert training in handling a dart gun and shooting at non-live targets, both on the ground and from a helicopter. This is a vital skill for wildlife vets working with large animals that need to be immobilised from distance. Students will also get to observe the darting of live patients and may get to assist with monitoring vital signs while the animal is sedated

Field clinical work

Core activity

Shadowing an expert vet on their day-to-day work, students will learn about the practical realities of working on African wildlife in the field. Whether they’re observing disease testing and preventing in buffalo, providing assistance during treatment of injuries and diseases, or helping with the relocation of giraffe, they’ll be completely immersed in the world of African veterinary practice.

Game drives

Core activity

Exploring the Kruger National Park in 4x4 vehicles with expert guides, students will have an incredible opportunity to see Africa’s iconic species in their natural habitat. These game drives offer students the chance to deepen their understanding of species-specific ecology and explore the national park’s rich biodiversity.

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Base camp - last 3 nights

Welcome to one of Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuaries - and your group’s home for the remainder of your field trip. Moholoholo rescues, rehabilitates and releases a wide range of injured species - and provides lifelong care for those that cannot go back to the wild. Living in the centre itself, students will fall asleep to the sounds of lions roaring and hyenas whooping! This immersive experience creates a deeper connection with the residents (both animal and human) living in this world-renowned centre.

Hands-on wildlife care

Core activity

Students will get involved in all aspects of wildlife care and rehabilitation. They’ll gain first-hand experience preparing nutritionally balanced diets, providing hands-on assistance with feeding, enriching animals’ lives by creating a natural setting in captivity, as well as the daily cleaning and mucking out of animal enclosures.

Lectures, talks and tours

Core activity

Throughout this field trip, students will engage in talks and debates about important conservation topics. From the bird of prey crisis and the vital role animal care plays in wildlife conservation to the history of Moholoholo and the reason different species end up being rescued and requiring care and rehabilitation.

Anti-poaching and wildlife management support

Understand the procedures and drugs vets use to successfully conduct work in support of anti-poaching and wildlife management. Students will also learn about the challenges of treating animals in the wild and the importance of maintaining genetic diversity in wildlife populations.

Animal welfare

Understand the role of wildlife vets in maintaining high standards of animal welfare in sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres and the conservation value of these centres.

Veterinary practice in conservation

Learn about the vet’s role in wildlife management and conservation, from wildlife capture and relocation to pregnancy testing in breeding programmes.

Disease testing

Learn about common diseases affecting African wildlife, the tests conducted to diagnose infection, and how to carry out blood testing on wildlife. Along the way, students will gain a deeper knowledge of veterinary pharmaceuticals, dosages and effects - as well as the physiology, anatomy and diets of African animals’ diets.

How to handle a dart gun

Learn to successfully operate a dart gun used by wildlife vets to sedate large game. Training sessions involve human-made targets and the opportunity to practice from both a moving vehicle and a helicopter.

Issues of global importance

Gain a deeper understanding of habitat loss, poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, the decline of endangered species, and other globally significant conservation challenges.