VETERINARY SCIENCES
FULL COURSE
VETERINARY SCIENCES, FULL COURSE DATE OPTIONS FOR 2025
WV1: 05 May to 22 May 2025
WV3: 26 May to 12 June 2025
WV4: 02 June to 19 June 2025
WV5: 16 June to 03 July 2025
WV6: 23 June to 10 July 2025
WV7: 07 July to 24 July 2025
WV8: 14 July to 31 July 2025
WV9: 28 July to 14 August 2025
WV10: 04 August to 21 August 2025
COURSE COST: $3 995 – US Dollar / €3 595 – 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.
There are only eight spaces available in each group (to give you the best experience possible!) We work on a first come first served basis, so book early to avoid disappointment! 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 hands-on 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 FULL COURSE OUTLINE
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VETERINARY SCIENCES FULL COURSE ITINERARY
INFORMATION BOOKLET
Day 1
ARRIVAL & ORIENTATION
Today you will get picked up at O.R Tambo International airport in Johannesburg. You will then be taken to a big 4 game reserve in Pongola. You will be spending the next few days learning about conservation efforts on the reserve. You will be lodging in a research camp surrounded by wildlife such as giraffe, antelope, rhino, elephant, leopards, and lots more. You will also take part in an orientation where we explain everything that lies ahead for the next few weeks.
Day 2
GAME DRIVE & ELEPHANT CONSERVATION
You will start the day off by going on a game drive to spot some of the animals on the reserve. In the afternoon, you will attend a lecture on the conservation management of elephants on the reserve, and the conservation issues surrounding them.
Day 3
RHINO CONSERVATION & TELEMETRY
Today you will be given a lecture about the efforts being done to conserve the rhino on the reserve, you will then go out and track the rhino on foot. In the afternoon you will be fine-tuning your skills in telemetry.You will be going out into the bush to track an ‘animal collar’ using telemetry. You will learn about the different types of pitches, meanings, and how to tell how far or close the collar/animal is.
Day 4
HIPPO & CROCODILE BOAT CRUISE, & DEPART FOR KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Today you will go on a 2-hour river safari with the reserve researcher to try and spot the hippos in the lake and the crocs and other wildlife on the shores of the lake. You will then depart for Kruger. You will spend tonight at a guesthouse just outside the park. Making your way into the park first thing tomorrow morning.
Day's 5, 6 and 7
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Today you will make your way into the Kruger National Park! Here you will meet the vets 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's 8 and 9
AVIAN & 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 & medical techniques. You will get a certificate for both courses!
Day's 10, 11 and 12
WILDLIFE VET ASSISTANCE
The next 3 days will be spent with wildlife vets or game capture specialists, accompanying them and assisting them in the duties they perform. Please keep in mind that the time you spend with the Wildlife Vets/game capture specialists depends on the bookings they have for the days you are with them, so that will depend on which animals you get to work with.
Day 13
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 14
COMMUNITY VET CLINIC & DOWN TO THE WIRE/WATERFALL HIKE
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. You will spend the afternoon with Down to The Wire making jewellery out of snares removed from the bush by anti-poaching units. If they are unavailable, you will hike to see the waterfall and have a refreshing swim.
Day 15
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 16
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 17
ROAD TRIP!
Most of today will be spent driving back to Pretoria. After today you will have one more day left! Enjoy the drive through the beautiful countryside!
Day 18 (Morning)
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 19
DEPARTURE
Today is also 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!