Vets Go Wild 2022

Chloe Squires Start Date: Feb 3, 2022 - End Date: Jul 12, 2022
  • South Africa

My Travel Story

by: Chloe Squires Start Date: Feb 3, 2022 - End Date: Jul 12, 2022
For those of you that know me, you know this has always been a lifelong dream of mine not only to work as a vet but to work with wildlife in Africa. This opportunity couldn't have come at a better time. With my degree nearing an end in 18 months, I am ready to start applying my knowledge whilst learning lots more. Following on from this trip, I will have the opportunity to apply for a preferential internship with the practice that will set me up for a career working with wildlife. 

Not only will I be furthering my learning and development, I will have a role in helping and conserving some of the most amazing and in need species on the planet. 

Below is my itinery for the 16 days, as you can see it's going to be a truly amazing experience!

Day 1 
- Guided game drive

Day 2 
- Amakhala Morning game walk
- Lectures: Basic wildlife conservation principles for Africa Vets, Introduction to practical conservation management, Re-introductions and sustainable utilisation
- Afternoon game drive

Day 3
- Amakhala Sunrise solitaire
- Lectures: Relationships between animals & habitat management, An overview of the Africa Vet role in conservation, Equipment & drugs relevant to veterinary wildlife
- Practical on darting and darting practise
- Evening into night drive

Day 4
- Bush breakfast
- Practical demonstration from an African vet of capture techniques used in antelope
- Overview of reserve management structures and principles in other conservation areas

Day 5 
- Visit to the born free centre
- Talk on role of the foundation in the rescue and care of African wildlife
- Tour around the Vets Go Wild centre and facilities
- Discussion on health & welfare issues associated with captive conditions.
- Game Drive focused on predator management in the wild

Day 6 
- Game drive on Amakhala
- Focus on specific species & management issues
- Mega herbivore and predator issues in management

Day 7 
- Lectures: Africa veterinary pharmacology and case study examples, Basic capture techniques and Immobilisation practical, Technology in conservation
- Practical diurnal telemetry tracking on Amakhala

Day 8 – Addo National Elephant Park
- Transfer to Addo and overview of park management and policies
- Different approaches of national parks compared to private game reserves.
- Visit to animal holding bomas and discussion

Day 9
- Early morning canoeing/river cruise on Bushmans River
- Lectures: Diseases relevant to African wildlife and the role of parasites & disease in nature, The monitoring and control of disease
- Vaccination procedures for Africa vets or disease testing practical

Day 10 
- Lectures: Protected area systems & economics, Alternative ways to utilize wildlife, Biodiversity issues and extinction processes.
- Night drive: telemetry on nocturnal species

Day 11 – Marine & coastal management
- Visit to Port Elizabeth Oceanarium
- Practical blood sampling and dissection of marine mammals
- Marine excursion into Algoa Bay and Addo marine reserve.

Day 12 – Surrounding reserves
- A comparative look at different conservation models and ecosystems.
- Exercise in adaptive management plans for predators.
- Practical excursion involving procedures on challenging wildlife species

Day 13 
- Stress factors in handling and containment
- Drugs and facilities Africa vets use to reduce stress
- Pathology of stress related mortalities

Day 14
- Socio-economic issues to consider in conservation of African ecosystems.

Day 15 
- Summary and key issue analysis
- Game drive on AGR for field discussion
- Appropriate capture techniques Drug combinations and dosages
- Helicopter exercise
- Sundowners on Amakhala and Vets Go Wild Course farewell dinner.

Day 16 – Breakfast
Departures & transfers to Port Elizabeth
  • South Africa