On this fascinating placement you'll have the opportunity to accompany the vet and help him on his wide range of different duties. You'll be exposed to many different experiences as the vet will mainly work on Wildlife on two main Reserves, but also on other Reserves throughout the Province.

WORK CONTENT:

• You'll work hands-on with a number of different species, including rhino, elephant, buffalo, sable, roan lion, leopard, cheetah.

• You'll also work with all the general plains game species as well as all the small mammals living in the area.

• You'll go out on emergency call-outs to assist in many different situations. These are unplanned events and can be very exciting - rushing to an emergency situation to help an animal in need, especially if that animal is something like a rhino or a leopard!

• Many wildlife emergencies require the vet to dart animals from a helicopter and there may sometimes be opportunities for you to fly with the vet as he darts and sedates animals from the air. These only occur when there is a need and cannot be guaranteed during your placement.

• The vet is based at our Rehabilitation and Care Centre, so you'll also spend much time working with and caring for the animals at the Centre.

This project is unpredictable to a certain degree and it is real life conservation and animal care. You'll have a real taste of life as a wildlife vet, which is very exciting.  

As a result of your participation on this internship, the funding the Centre receives from us will enable the vet to work free of charge for charities and animals in need of care, as well as to wildlife conservation projects. You'll therefore also have the satisfaction of knowing that your participation in the internship has made some of the free work possible.

OTHER PLANNED INITIATIVES:

The project is situated close to several rural communities that have no permanent access to proper vet care for their domestic livestock, dogs, pets, etc. The project plans to visit these communities twice a month to offer vet care for these animals free of charge. If youi're there at the time of these visits, you'll also have the opportunity to help the animals of these communities.

It is also hoped that they can do some much needed dog sterilisations - the number a stray dogs living in these communities is completely out of control and they are often used to poach and kill wildlife on Reserves in the area.

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