Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary Experience

  South Africa

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: year round

Description: The Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary project offers volunteers the opportunity to work closely with a wildlife veterinarian. The project is based in some of the most prolific wildlife areas in Southern Africa.

We work with a number of veterinarians, all of which are very well established. Volunteers will join the practice and day-to-day activities of an experienced wildlife veterinarian in the field and, depending on the vet, sometimes in a clinic. Depending on individual capabilities, volunteers will actively assist in most tasks that have to be performed - and not just sit back as spectators. Volunteers will actively partake in the treatment and physical handling of animals and the administration of low schedule drugs. The animals you may work with ranges from various antelope species, to buffalo and even sometimes lions. Much of the wildlife veterinary work is related to game capture and relocation.

Since the wildlife vets move between local landowners, volunteers will more than likely get to travel a great deal throughout the local areas. The project is personal and very hands on and each vet only takes small groups at a time. Volunteers interested in a career in the veterinary field or animal care will benefit most from this project, but anyone with a strong interest in veterinary work can join.

Volunteers interested in a career in the veterinary field or animal care will benefit most from this project. A certain level of fitness and determination is required by the students as the work can be strenuous. It is up to the vets discretion to judge the competence of each volunteer and the risks involved in each activity, before allowing the volunteer to participate in a specific activity.

Highlights: The program is practically orientated and you will most likely gain experience in the following activities:

* Game capture and immobilizing animals. By law only a registered vet can use the high schedule drugs to immobilize animals. You will however still learn a lot about the drugs involved and darting techniques, and will administer low schedule drugs
* Taking blood samples from animals
* Animal translocation
* Medical work on injured or sick animals, including some domestic animals and livestock
* Diagnosing and treating various conditions or diseases in animals
* Animals that the vets frequently work with: Sable-antelope, buffalo, giraffe, lion, elephant, roan-antelope, nyala, eland.

Qualifications: No qualification or previous experience are necessary, just an interest and passion for veterinary work.

Cost in US$: 3500

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Most of our volunteers have either finished college and want some international work experience before starting their carrer, or are taking a break from their career. Many are interested in wildlife conservation, but most have no previous experience or qualifications.

Age Range: 17-70

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 3

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad

African Conservation Experience's Mission Statement: African Conservation Experience organizes work placements for volunteers of all ages on wildlife conservation projects in Southern Africa. We work only with projects that we assess as having a real and beneficial contribution to conservation efforts. Volunteers get very much involved with the work, rather than sitting back and observing, and provide a valuable resource to the projects. We pride ourselves on the quiality, integrity and frendliness of the service that we provide. We ensure that volunteers understand fully what is expected of them and place particular concern on volunteers' security and safety.

Year Founded: 1999