VETERINARY SCIENCES
2 WEEK COURSE
VETERINARY SCIENCES, 2 WEEK COURSE DATE OPTIONS FOR 2024
15 May to 28 May 2024
18 August to 31 August 2024
COURSE COST: $3 280 – US Dollar / €3 020 – Euro
Please note: We use the US Dollar as our base currency, so the EUR price may change at any time due to exchange rate fluctuations.
Eight spaces are available per group (to give you the best experience possible!) We work on a first come first served basis! Complete the application form to register your interest in the Live4Now Veterinary Sciences Course.
The W!LD VETS programme is specifically designed for those who are either studying or working in the veterinary sciences field. This programme provides you with the opportunity to gain practical experience in this field, under the supervision of a professional wildlife vet.
Food, accommodation, ground transport and activities are all included in this package. Please note: Due to the unpredictability of nature, the days stated below may be switched around to give you the best experience possible.
VETERINARY SCIENCES 2 WEEK COURSE OUTLINE
Day 1
ARRIVAL & ORIENTATION
You arrive at O.R. Tambo International airport in Johannesburg. We will meet you there and take you to your accommodation in Hoedspruit. Today you will be given an orientation where we will explain everything that lies ahead in the next two weeks.
Day 2
WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTRE
Today you will make your way to a wildlife rehabilitation centre. Here you will get the opportunity to learn all about the centre and the vital role they play in rehabilitation as well as breeding rare and endangered species. You will see how the centre is run and the challenges facing endangered species in SA and why we need rehabilitation centres.
Day 3
ADVANCED VETERINARY REPTILE COURSE
Today you will partake in a reptile veterinary course. The course includes: Reptile husbandry, animal safety and handling, animal health assessment, biosecurity and hygiene, preventative medicine and common diseases, reptile first aid, reptile anaesthesia and surgery, reptile emergencies, medical techniques and, a reptile necropsy.
Day 4 and 5
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Today you will make your way to the Kruger National Park! Here you will meet the vet and attend lectures on current topics affecting the control and management of the animals in the park as well as wildlife-livestock interface. Our guide will take you on drives in the park to try and find you the BIG 5!
Day 6 and 7
AVIAN AND SMALL MAMMAL COURSE
The next 2 days will be spent with a wildlife vet doing an avian and small mammal course. You will do lectures in the morning and a practical in the afternoon. Topics covered are: husbandry and care, animal safety and handling, animal health assessments, biosecurity and hygiene, preventative medicine, and common diseases, first aid, anaesthesia and surgery, and medical techniques. You will get a certificate for both courses!
Day's 8 and 9
WILDLIFE VET ASSISTANCE
Two days will be spent with wildlife vets or game capture specialists, accompanying them and assisting them in the duties they perform. NB! Please note that the time you spend with the Wildlife Vets/game capture specialists depends on the bookings they have for that particular week. The vets/game capture specialists or us are not in control of the work they will receive in your time with them.
Day 10
K9 CONSERVATION, DART GUN PRACTICAL AND HELICOPTER FLIP
You will spend the morning with the K9 dog’s unit! Learning about the value of dogs working in poaching. In the afternoon you will get a lecture on all the different darts and dart guns used in wildlife game capture. You will also learn how to prepare a tranquilizer dart and shoot with a dart gun while flying in a helicopter! (Please note: The use of the helicopter depends on availability and the weather).
Day 11 and 12
COMMUNITY VET CLINIC & BUSH WALK
In the morning you will be going into an underprivileged area and offer your assistance and learn from the vets working in the rural/ disadvantaged communities. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to go on a bush walk in the wildlife estate, through a variety of plains game (giraffe, zebra, wildebeest etc) as well as a few predators! Day 12 will be spent driving back to Pretoria.
Day 13
WILDLIFE VETERINARY HOSPITAL
Today you will be accompanying a vet at a wildlife veterinary hospital. The hospital is a non-profit organisation that treats small to medium-sized wild animals with the goal that they will be rehabilitated and released. The hospital has a dedicated veterinarian present on a full-time basis. The rehabilitation part of the hospital is run and overseen by a wildlife rehabilitation specialist.
Day 14
DEPARTURE
Today is a sad day as we have to say goodbye. We will take you to Johannesburg international airport (O.R Tambo) where you will make your way back home. We are sure this experience will never be forgotten and will benefit you throughout your career!