Veterinary Care of African Wildlife

Join this unique veterinary program in South Africa that provides an opportunity for practicing veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary technicians to experience and participate in wildlife management and health issues of free ranging African wildlife. It also forms the basis of understanding the spread and management of wildlife diseases. The program is well suited for continuous education and professional development, providing an opportunity to experience different aspects of veterinary science.

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards RACE committee has reviewed and approved the program, meeting the Standards adopted by the AAVSB. This program (1015-22747) is approved by the AAVSB RACE to offer 20.00 CE Credits to any Veterinarian; and/or Veterinary Technician. The program is also approved by the Australian Veterinary Nurses Counsel.

Continuing Education Summary – 20 CE Credits

Day 2: 4 CE credits
Rhinoceros and wildlife management/conservation and the role of veterinary science. Dr. van Hoven. 1 hour/1 credit
Elephant management and the role of the veterinarian in population control. Dr. van Hoven. 1 hour/1 credit
Visit the University of Pretoria Veterinary School and the Wildlife Veterinary Genetics Laboratory
Dr. Harper. 2 hour/2 credit

Day 3: 7 CE credits
Demonstration tour of wildlife embryo laboratories
Lecture on the wildlife conservation value of successful in vitro fertilization and embryo transfers
Dr. de la Ray. 4 hours /4 credits

Day 4: 2 CE Credits
Visit the wildlife hospital at the National Zoo, and get lecture/ demonstrations/ procedure participations with Dr Espe and Dr. Campbell. 3 hours / 3 credits

Day 5: 3 CE credits
Management of wildlife and particularly the overpopulation of elephant in Kruger National Park Management of vegetation ecology to the benefit of wildlife health in Kruger National Park
Mr Kalwa, veteran Kruger ecologist. 3 hours / 3 credits

Day 8–9: 8 CE credits
The red line and enzootic area management. 1 hour/2 credits
Diseases shared by livestock and wildlife and zoonosis in the region. 3 hours/2 credits
Applied wildlife parasitology. 2 hour/2 credit
Wildlife post mortem and necropsy procedures. 2 hours/2 credit
Mr Vermaak

Day 12–14: 7 CE credits
The pharmacological working of various capture drugs for wildlife
Different dart guns for different applications and applicable darts and propelling methods
Dr Nolan Landman

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Upon arrival at the Johannesburg International Airport (O.R. Tambo) you will be welcomed by a staff member and transferred to the lodge in time for dinner.
Accommodation: Journey’s Inn Africa Guest Lodge

Day 2: Conservation and Population Control Lecture & Onderstepoort Genetics Lab

After breakfast we start the day with two talks by Dr. van Hoven on Rhinoceros and wildlife management/conservation and the role of veterinary science. and on Elephant management and the role of the veterinarian in population control. (2 CE credits)

Thereafter, we depart for the Vulpro Center for Vulture conservation for an introduction in the conservation of vultures and the threats that they experience.

In the afternoon we visit the Veterinary School at the University of Pretoria and take a guided tour of the clinic, facilities and campus, with Dr. Koepel.
Accommodation: Hartbeespoort Lodge

Day 3: Wildlife Embryo Laboratory

Today we meet Dr. de la Rey, a veterinary surgeon and wildlife embryo transfer specialist. Dr. de la Rey produced the first Sable Antelope calves by means of Fixed Time Artificial Insemination with frozen thawed semen, and five years ago produced the first Sable Antelope calves born by means of embryo transfers in the world. In 2013, he produced the first pregnancies in the world in Cape buffalo by means of embryo transfers. In the early morning we will first dart a white rhino and then participate in semen collection. Dr. de la Rey will take us on a demonstration tour of his wildlife embryo laboratories and also present us with a Lecture on the wildlife conservation value of successful in vitro fertilization and embryo transfers. (All activities and lecture total 4 hours/2 CE credits).
Accommodation: Hartbeespoort Lodge

Day 4: Drive to the Kruger National Park

After breakfast we travel to the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria where we will be met by the two zoo veterinarians Dr. Espe and Dr. Campbell. They will take us on a tour of the Zoo Hospital and conduct interventions as required on that day.

After lunch we travel to Malelane bordering the Kruger National Park. Enroute we visit and interact at the Rhino Orphanage.
Acccommodation: Barnstormers Rest Lodge

Day 5: Ecology Lecture & Kruger National Park

In the morning we will visit a well-known Kruger ecologist who has an intimate understanding of this majestic five-million-acre park. He will discuss the management of wildlife and particularly the overpopulation of elephant in Kruger National Park and thereafter the Management of vegetation ecology to the benefit of wildlife health in Kruger National Park.

After lunch we enter the Kruger National Park through the Malelane Gate and drive north to one of the rest camps. These rest camps offer general shops, ATM, swimming pool and laundry facilities.
Accommodation: Bungalows in the Skukuza Rest Camp or Pretoriuskop Rest Camp.

Day 6: Kruger National Park

We check out after breakfast and start our long drive north through the park to the Olifants Rest Camp. We have a chance to view a wide variety of wildlife en-route to the Rest Camp.
Accommodation: Bungalows in the Letaba Rest Camp or Olifants Rest Camp

Day 7: Drive to the Blyde Canyon Nature Reserve

After breakfast we exit the Park and drive to the rural areas of the town of Hoedspruit. There we spend the morning with the HALO veterinary volunteer team, treating and caring for the cats and dogs of the residents of these rural, informal settlements. In the afternoon we drive to the Swadini Resort, located at the foot of the Northern Drakensberg Mountain Range, within the Blyde Canyon Nature Reserve.
Accommodation: Chalets at the Swadini Resort

Day 8: Field Pathology Laboratory & Wildlife Diseases Workshop

After breakfast we drive north to the Balule Game Reserve. We arrive at a private Bush Wildlife Disease Laboratory in the Balule District of Greater Kruger Park. Your host at this remote camp is Mr Vermaak, B. Tech, M. Tech, Tropical Parasitology (Duke University) Wildlife Disease Ecologist and Veterinary Microbiology graduate from Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria.

In the evening we will be informed about the bush camp, laboratory orientation and rehabilitation animals. Because of the remote location, comfortable tent accommodation will be provided. The area is also very good for bird watching along the Elephant River.
Accommodation: Tented Bush Camp

Day 9 & 10: Veterinary Wildlife Management

Talks, demonstrations, participation and learning about the Red line and enzootic area management, followed by Diseases shared by livestock and wildlife and zoonosis in the region and Applied wildlife parasitology.

Thereafter will be a demonstrationn of Wildlife post mortem and necropsy procedures, taking place in the bush. Samples will be used in demonstrations and participation in bush laboratory procedures.
Accommodation: Tented Bush Camp

Day 11: Rural Community Veterinary Care

We depart early and travel to a rural African community cattle corral outside of the public protected areas. We are guests of the chief and are here to participate in the diagnostics, treatment and management of cattle as a social responsibility. Afterwards we travel to the lodge.
Accommodation: uBhetyan-O-Africa Lodge

Day 12 – 14: Game Capture & Care Operations

The next three days will involve discussions, demonstrations and hands-on participation in actual game capture operations of various wildlife species for purposes of relocation, tagging, diagnostics, vaccination and disease or injury treatment. This will be conducted by Dr Landman. No animals will be captured for demonstration purposes; all activities are part of daily call-outs. Each program participant will have the opportunity to fly individually in a helicopter for a flight and firing a tranquilizing dart at a moving target (non-animal). We return to the lodge in the afternoon for the farewell dinner and informal graduation ceremony.
Accommodation: Chalets – Ubethjane Lodge

Day 15: Departure

After breakfast your guide will drop off the group to the airport in time for your flight home.

Note: the program itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances

Set Departure Dates:

2019
PRO10: 25 August to 8 September
PRO11: 15 – 29 September
PRO12: 6 – 20 October
PRO13: 13 – 27 October
PRO14: 27 October to 10 November

Booking Form

Prices (2019):

US$4,900 per person sharing accommodation
US$5,400 per person in single accommodation

Price Includes:

Airport transfers as stated
Accommodation for the duration of the program
Transportation for the duration of the program
Permits and entry fees
Three meals per day

Price Excludes:

International air travel to and from South Africa
Visa costs – if applicable
Optional additional activities
Alcoholic beverages
Vaccinations – optional (rabies vaccinations are not required)

Booking Process and Payments

There is no specific booking date. However, the earlier you book the better your chance of booking a trip that suits your time schedule.
To book, complete the booking form online, or mail it to the office of Eko Tracks.
Once we have received your booking form, you will be pre-booked and be sent a confirmation and the payment details.
A 25% deposit must be sent directly to the office in South Africa to secure your booking. Note: Money can be transferred (wired) overseas through a bank.
The office of Eko Tracks will send you a tour dossier with information about the passport, flight schedules, vaccinations, packing list and safety tips to assist you in preparing for the trip.
The outstanding amount is payable 2 months prior to the commencement of the program.

Why Travel With Eko Tracks

Variety: Our large variety of products, offer great travel opportunities for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts with a passion for nature.

Expertise: With an intimate scientific knowledge of the African savanna and its wildlife, first-hand personal travel experiences and destination expertise, we offer a wealth of information to our clients.

Network: Having lived in Africa for more than 40 years and drawing on extensive long term business relationships we provide you with specially selected quality products.

Dedication: We are passionate about Africa with its large vistas, a plethora of wildlife unmatched anywhere else, and a diversity of cultures unique to this continent. But above all, we are dedicated to conservation through education.

Read Our Reviews

“I learned so much and the interactive field work and labs were especially beneficial. Amazing! The best choice I’ve ever made with my life. It opened my eyes to everything going on here and was life changing. Samantha, Veterinary Field Study 2018.”

“I learned a lot about conservation that I didn’t before especially about the elephant problem, and the effects of game farming, hunting, poaching in SA. Mary, Veterinary Field Study 2018

“This was an amazing program and I would do it 10,000 times if I could. I learned so much and got to participate and see so much that I never would have in any other program. Amanda, Veterinary Field Study 2018