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Follow us +44(0) 207 193 7819 [email protected] Introduction Veterinary Conservation Lectures Accommodation Contact us information pack
Follow us
+44(0) 207 193 7819
Introduction
Veterinary
Conservation
Lectures
Accommodation
Contact us
information pack
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+44(0) 207 193 7819
Introduction
Veterinary
Conservation
Lectures
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Welgevonden Game Reserve, (Dutch for "well found"), is a 34,8500ha game reserve in the Waterberg District, of the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
A pleasant 2.5-hour drive or an easy 45-minute flight from Johannesburg into one of the airstrips, makes Welgevonden one of the most accessible premier malaria free wilderness reserves in the country. It forms part of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve which was officially declared by UNESCO in 2001 and currently covers an area in excess of 4000 km².
The reserve comprises of mountainous terrain that is dissected by deep valleys and kloofs while flat plateaus characterise most hilltops. Altitude varies from 1080 m in the north to ±1800 m in the southern section of the reserve.
The diversity of habitat leads to a wide range of wildlife with grassy plains abounding with antelope from the largest eland to the diminutive duiker; and cheetah, lion and leopard are regularly seen close by. There are also numerous rare and unusual species such as brown hyena, aardwolf, pangolin and aardvark – all best seen at night. Over 300 bird species can be seen on the reserve, including rare blue cranes which breed in the southern section early in the year.
Introduction
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Introduction
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Welgevonden is home to over 50 different mammals, including the Big Five. There are rare and unusual species too, such as brown hyena, pangolin, aardwolf and aardvark – all best seen at night.The grassy plains abound with antelope from the largest eland to the diminutive duiker, and cheetah, lion and leopard are always close by. It is the diversity of habitat on the reserve that encourages such a wide range of wildlife as well as over 300 bird species, including rare blue cranes.
At 34,850ha in size, Welgevonden Game Reserve lies in the Waterberg plateau, about 250km north of Johannesburg. Here guests enjoy unlimited traversing through the reserve and experience an environment where biodiversity conservation and game viewing are managed in harmony. Welgevonden protects a unique and special environment and the reserve’s management is deeply committed to ongoing conservation research and development.
About Welgevondon
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Course Fundamentals
The Pre Vet Conservation Course has been formulated to provide you with a hands on, introduction into Wildlife management practices in South Africa. The project covers both practical and theoretical based learning and will expose you to conservation activities as well as hands on Veterinary procedures and techniques. The course is mentored by a fifth year vet student who will provide personal development to each participant.
The objectives of the course are:
✓ Prepare you for the application process of Vet School
✓ Provide you with a broad range of basic veterinary skills
through practical classes to prepare you for EMS at vet school
✓ Provide valuable work experience that can be added to your
CV and application to Vet School
✓Expose participants to behind the scenes wildlife management
practices at Welgevonden Game Reserve
✓ To gain invaluable experience through exposure to practical
and hands on skills in the wildlife veterinary field
✓ Experience first hand insight into Welgevonden’s wildlife
department in conservation research, ecology and wildlife
management
✓ To educate the principles of Wildlife Veterinary decisions
compared to domestic circumstances and the larger conservation
ethics that govern these procedures
✓ Immobilisation and darting techniques used for various wildlife
species
✓Develop their understanding and gain further experience of
medical treatment of wildlife
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Veterinary Project Details
As part of the Pre Vet Conservation Course you will be introduced to a number of conservation activities and Veterinary Interactions and procedures. It is important as part of your learning experience to understand the fundamentals of conservation that govern decisions made by Wildlife Veterinarians.
Introduction to Darting Techniques
The various darting techniques used for game capture and
immobilisation, learning to handle the various darting systems
and target practice.
Introduction to Drug Preparation and Pharmacology
Learn the basics of pharmacology in the context of African
wildlife, you will learn how to draw and calculate drugs for
various species and circumstances.
Introduction to Injections and Drawing up IV’s
Work with the veterinary team and learn the basics of
injections and drawing up IV’s, a vital part of being a wildlife
Vet.
Translocation of Antelope Species
Techniques used for mass capture and translocation of
antelope species.
Passive Game Capture
Practical techniques on passive game capture of various
species.
Logistics of wildlife transportation: Customised vehicles, crates and equipment.
Parasites and Herd Conditions
(Internal and external) monitoring and control in wildlife.
Post Mortems
Conduct post mortems with Veterinary staff for research and
assessment.
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Veterinary Project – Past Groups
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Monitoring the Welgevonden Rhino
Welgevonden works to minimize the potential of poaching, with just 1 incident in 9 years on the property. Students and volunteers will contribute to this by actively searching for rhino and getting to know them individually, to assist with updating individual identification guides. Behavioural observations, photos and GPS locations are recorded to document where the animals are occurring, keeping tabs on the localities and activities of White Rhino on Welgevonden.
This activity is ongoing and will take place all year round; an incredible experience and an ideal opportunity to make a difference in conserving the White Rhino.
Understand Anti-Poaching
Welgevonden takes pride in it’s large investment in security of the reserve. Anti-poaching protocols are of vital importance and volunteers are invited to attend a talk for an insight to what anti-poaching, coordinating ambushes, gaining intelligence, and for all the latest statistics on the poaching tragedy…
Conservation Project Details
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Monitoring the Welgevonden Cheetah
Welgevonden is home to the largest, most successful wild Cheetah population in the Waterberg cluster; a huge hope for this Vulnerable species.
Students and volunteers will be actively involved in the conservation of this species by updating their identikits. This activity takes place when Cheetah are sighted but will occur year round and will invite many pleasant surprises!
Elephant Identification and Behavioural Monitoring
As a megaherbivore elephants have the ability to alter habitats and have other effects on the Ecosystems on the reserve. Research is conducted into the effect that elephants have not only on the vegetative component of the reserve but also on the other animals that are affected by these changes.
With elephants living in close proximity to humans on Welgevonden and regularly coming into contact with humans as a result of tourism based activities, there is the potential for conflict. Research will determine the best way to reduce and avoid this potential conflict.
Individual elephants and herds will be identified to gain a better understanding of herd structure and behaviour to ensure the correct implementation of management intervention.
Conservation Project Details
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Herbivore Herd Structure
Herbivore herd structures needs to be monitored to give detailed information on the individuals within the populations and their interactions with their environment. This information is input into a model to predict future herbivore population densities.
Students and volunteers will conduct road transect game counts by travelling designated routes to document information on any herbivores spotted. Species include Greater Kudu, White Rhino, Elephant, Blue Wildebeest and many more. This is a monthly activity thattakes 3 days to complete – imagine a 3 day game drive with the ideal opportunity to gain species knowledge!
Conservation Project Details
Monitoring Herbivore Condition
Students and volunteers will be involved in assessing body condition of herbivores on the reserve and collecting their dung samples, which will be analysed to determine the levels of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the animals diet – with Welgevonden’snutrient poor vegetation, one wonders how they survive, but they do!This project will take place all year round; a great opportunity for game viewing and being able to contribute to multiple research projects during your time at Welgevonden.
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Project Details
Experience the Bushmen Paintings
Welgevonden has 2 known sites where there is evidence of the San people existing in the Waterberg more than 2500 years ago!
These ancient subjects are very delicate yet fascinating. An hour and a half guided walk and talk can be arranged for students and volunteers to interpret the meanings of these paintings and guide you through the spiritual life of these people…
The Art of Tracking
“The traditional skills of tracking are indigenous art forms that evolved for reasons of human survival. Tracking has often been misrepresented as an unexplainable and mystical skill possessed only by a privileged few” and hence these traditions have been rapidly eroding over the years. “This misconception has resulted in a long delay in the formal adoption of the skill as a practical application that can be taught and evaluated objectively”: an experience volunteers on Welgevonden will be invited to explore…
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Presentations relating to Conservation
and veterinary science:
• Introduction to Wildlife Conservation in SA
• Anatomy• Ethical decisions of Wildlife
Vets (Euthinasia, Diseases and Game management)
• Basic Veterinary Skills• A day in the life of a Wildlife Vet• Physiology• Animal Husbandry• Basic Veterinary Nursing• Rehabilitation of wildlife• Elephant management• Anti-poaching methods• Intensive vs Free roaming wildlife• Wildlife Monitoring
Lectures relating to applying for
Vet school
• Process and applying for Vet School• Interviews at University• Preparing work experience for interviews• Making the most of EMS• Practical preparation for EMS• Ethical issues: awareness in your application
practical preparation for EMS
Bandaging- types/uses/layers/practical application.Drug calculation and injection practiceUsing a stethoscope! Heart rates/breathingPhysical examination of an animalInterview practice!
Lectures & Group Discussions
• Understanding the principles of Eco Systems• Animal Population Dynamics• Capture Techniques and relocation of wildlife• Use of Boma’s• Stress Factors in handling and containment• Biomes of the Eastern Cape• Wildlife tracks and signs• Basic wildlife conservation, ecology and management principles• Animal welfare in relation to capture and containment
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Accommodation & lifestyle
Whilst conducting your Veterinary & Game Farming Project you will
be accommodated at the purpose built student centre which is
situated on the Main Reserve. The center boasts ten purpose built
tents that sleep two people per tent in single beds, each tent also
has lighting and electricity supply. Shared ablutions of Toilets and
Showers are available with running hot and cold water. There is
also a number of communal facilities including a lecture room,
canteen, storage fridge, lounge and entertainment area. The center
also has access to Wi-Fi.
Three meals are provided on a daily on a semi-participation basis
which are prepared communally. Meals will either be served at the
facility itself or taken as a pre-packed serving, depending on
planned or as result of unscheduled activities.
Weekends & Evenings:Most evenings are spent at leisure at the camp enjoying the sights
and sounds of Wild Africa.
Weekends you are free to explore the local attractions which
include horse riding, wildlife sanctuaries and Sun City which is a
popular tourist destination. You are also welcome to stay on
reserve and work with the research team who work 6 days a week.
