South Africa :: GYC2997 - Vets Go Wild
The information below has been provided for you by the supported placement organisation running the placement. You can contact the company for more information using the links at the bottom of this page.
| GYC2997 - Vets Go Wild |
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Country: |
South Africa |
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Cost: |
£1799.00
Please note: All our rates include your return transfer and pick up from airport, all accommodation for the duration of your placement, all meals and placement activities. We are a fully bonded agent through IATA; in conjunction with South Africa Airways we can offer some fantastic rates on international airfare. |
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Cost Includes: |
The price includes accommodation, food, kit and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance or visas |
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Duration: |
2 weeks (The duration for this placment is 16 days.) |
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Company Rep Nearby: |
All the time |
| 0845 344 7511 |
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This placement would suit... Veterinary medicine students looking to fulfil some Extra Mural Studies and get fantastic exposure to veterinary practices on a 'Big Five' game reserve.
 If you are looking for a hands-on veterinary experience and need to fulfil some Extra Mural Studies then Vets Go Wild is the perfect programme for you.
Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, is the setting for our brand new 16-day module for students undertaking veterinary courses at selected UK universities.
The objective of the programme is to conduct theoretical and practical training focused on the role of veterinary science in the context of African wildlife conservation and utilisation.
Principle partners involved with Vets Go Wild:
Addo National Elephant Park: 260,000-acre conservation area famous for its elephants but fast becoming recognised as one of the most ecologically diverse national parks in the World.
Amakhala Private Game Reserve: 15,600-acre wildlife reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Scenically beautiful with diverse vegetation and a diversity of fauna to match, including the 'Big Five'.
Shamwari Game Reserve: 45,000 acre wildlife reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Scenically beautiful with diverse vegetation and a diversity of fauna to match, including the 'Big Five'.
Bayworld Oceanarium, Port Elizabeth
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University - Centre for African Conservation Ecology
 Additional add-on excursions
(Costs can be supplied on request and are dependant on the size of the group.)
- Helicopter darting exercise
- Black rhino expedition
- Bio-diversity hotspots expedition
- Marine and coastal dune systems
Course start dates
Course 1: 7 July - 22 July 2008
Course 2: 28 July - 12 August 2008
Course 3: 18 August - 2 September 2008
Course 4: TBA
A sample itinerary for this programme follows. If you are interested, please fill in the form at the bottom of this page.
Itinerary
This is included as an example. Due to practical arrangements surrounding animals, the course content and order may vary.
Day 1
Arrivals and transfers
Orientation around Hills Neck Camp and facilities
Course overview
Guided game drive
Opening dinner
Day 2 - Amakhala
Morning game walk
Lectures: Basic wildlife conservation principles
Introduction to practical conservation management
Re-introductions and sustainable utilisation
Afternoon game drive
Day 3 - Amakhala
Sunrise solitaire
Lectures: Relationships between animals and habitat management
An overview of the veterinary role in conservation
Equipment and drugs relevant to veterinary wildlife
Practical on darting and darting practise
Evening into night drive
Day 4 - Shamwari
Bush breakfast and transfer to Shamwari
Introduction to Shamwari wildlife department
Practical demonstration of capture techniques used in antelope
Overview of reserve management structures and principles
Day 5 - Shamwari
 Visit to the Born Free Centre on Shamwari
Talk on role of the foundation in the rescue and care of African wildlife
Tour around the centre and facilities
Discussion on health and welfare issues associated with captive conditions
Day 6 - Shamwari
Game drive on the reserve
Focus on specific species and management issues
Mega herbivore and predator issues in management
Day 7 - Amakhala
Game drive and river cruise on the Bushmans River
Lectures: Veterinary pharmacology and case study examples
Basic capture techniques
Immobilisation practical
Technology in conservation
Practical diurnal telemetry tracking on AGR
Day 8 - Addo National Elephant Park
Transfer to Addo
Overview of park management and policies
Different approaches of national parks compared to private game reserves
Visit to animal holding bomas and discussion
Hand rearing of rhino and buffalo
Day 9 - Amakhala
Early morning canoeing on Bushmans River
Lectures: Diseases relevant to African wildlife
The role of parasites and disease in nature
The monitoring and control of disease
Day 10 - Amakhala
Early morning walk
Lectures: Protected area systems and economics
Alternative ways to utilise wildlife
Biodiversity issues and extinction processes
Night drive: telemetry on nocturnal species
Day 11 - Marine and coastal management
Transfer to Port Elizabeth
Visit to Port Elizabeth Oceanarium
Practical blood sampling 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 covering geology and significant paleontology of area
Day 13 - Amakhala
Relocation and holding of animals
Stress factors in handling and containment
Drugs and facilities used to reduce stress
Pathology of stress related mortalities
Day 14 - Amakhala and surrounds
Socio-economic issues to consider in conservation of African ecosystems.
Participation in veterinary wildlife call-outs to take place at random times during the course.
Day 15 - Amakhala
Summary and key issue analysis
Game drive on AGR for field discussion
Appropriate capture techniques
Drug combinations and dosages
Course written examination
Sundowners on Amakhala
Course closing dinner
Day 16
Breakfast
Departures and transfers to Port Elizabeth
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0845 344 7511 |
 | Worldwide Experience offers volunteers a unique conservation opportunity to work on some of Southern Africa's premier private game reserves or leading marine ocean research projects. A conservation placement is the ultimate life changing experience gives you the chance to give something back and make a difference to the natural environment. |
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