Background

The Introduction Course is exactly that, giving first timers to Africa an opportunity to see the full spectrum of Wildlife Veterinary Medicine, and to meet various specialists in the field. It touches on all aspects of Conservation Medicine and comprises of about 40 hours of lectures and 40 hours of practical hands on experience.

Over the last eight years we have expanded and changed the courses to remain relevant, expanded the better parts and evolved to address matters of current and future concern. We have seen the emphasis of the course diverting from “tools in conservation medicine” to concentrate more on aspects such as trans boundary conservation initiatives, thresholds of potential concerns, action plans and standard operating procedures, obviously within the veterinary field. The role of the veterinarian as part of a management team is emphasised, incorporating aspects such as human health issues, zoonosis, land use and global factors influencing conservation.
 

Hands-on experience

 

Hands on experiences always remain important to students, and we go out of our way to ensure that the students get enough. Call outs obviously receive priority. In these cases, students are transported in a 14-seater bus, with all equipment loaded in the back. Irrespective of the procedure, and guided only by safety aspects, students will participate in procedures like animal restrain, catheter placement, monitoring, administration of drugs, small surgery etc. The tasks will be rotated between students to allow for maximum exposure, and with group sizes limited to fourteen, most students get ample opportunity.

Some of the activities in the last three years where:

    - Capture and micro chipping of white rhino 
    - Relocation of wildlife
    - Lion capture
    - Post mortems
    - Evaluation of new immobilising agents
    - Buffalo TB testing
    - Raising orphan animals
    - Surgery on various wildlife species
    - Ultrasound on Wildlife
    - Mass capture of Wildlife
    - Visiting local communities

Because hands-on experiences take priority, we often use time after dinner till late at night for lectures, discussions and debates, and even better so if we can do this around the fire. 

 

Field visits

To expand your experience we visit several projects that are complimentary to Conservation Medicine, such as disease free buffalo breeding projects, crocodile breeding farms, cheetah breeding centre and a wildlife rehabilitation centre. We also visit with the veterinarians in the Kruger National Park. Some of our clinical work or captures are far away and may necessitate sleeping over, but obviously all this is included.

Lecturers

To maximise the benefit of clinical procedures, they are always accompanied by a preparation lecture and a good discussion afterwards. Students are invited to participate. Time is also dedicated to specific topics of relevance, diseases, management and controversial aspects such as culling, contraception often lead to interesting debates. More global issues are addressed and students are stimulated to think and express and defend their opinions. We also use guest lecturers such as Prof Leon Prozesky, head of the department of Pathology, Mr Chris Hopkirk, our resident “snake-man”.

Safety

Wildlife work is inherently dangerous, and your safety is an important concern of ours. However, we will strive to give you the maximum hands on experience without jeopardising your safety. It does however require a fair amount of physical fitness from your side, but you have to assess your own capabilities and accept when a situation requires more than what you can handle. Because you make this decision, you will be required to sign an indemnity form. 

Accommodation and food 

Students will stay at  Ngongoni Game Ranch , 2-4 sharing per chalet with en suite bathroom. Breakfast and lunch will be self-help, while the kitchen staff will supply full dinners. We cater for omnivores and vegetarians only. PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE SIZE OF OUR KITCHEN WE NO LONGER CATER FOR VEGANS OR HALAAL MEALS. 

Ngongoni Game Ranch is a member of SATSA (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association) 
Visit the Ngongoni Game Ranch Website for more photos and information.

Reference work and self-study

We have a wide range of related videos and CD’s that students can work through in their own time. We also have a library and a reference article collection available for the enthusiastic student. 

Duration of the course: 2 weeks 

Maximum number of students per course: 14 (fourteen)

 

Course Dates for 2008 COURSE NUMBER BEGIN DATE END DATE ALLOCATION STATUS Course 1 April 20 May 03 Ross University only Fully Booked Course 2 May 11 May 24 Purdue University only Available Course 3 May 25 June 07 Open to All Available Course 5 June 29 July 12 Open to All Fully Booked Course 6 Aug 17 Aug 30 Ross University only Fully Booked Tuition for 2008 Tuition for the 2008 sessions is $2 750 (US Dollars) - with $750 due as a non-refundable deposit to reserve a space, and the balance can be paid in any of the following three options: Option A The balance of $2 000 will be paid as a single lump sum on or before 1st of March 2008.   Option B The balance of $2 000 will be paid in four payments of $500 each from Jan to April 2008.   Option C The balance of $2 000 can be paid in six installments of $335 each from January till June 2008.   Course dates for 2009 COURSE NUMBER BEGIN DATE END DATE ALLOCATION STATUS Course 1 April 19 May 02 Ross University only Available Course 2 May 10 May 23 Purdue University only Available Course 3 May 24 June 06 Open to All Available Course 4 June 14 June 27 Australia students Available Please note that the dates for Course 5 has changed as indicated below: Course 5 July 05 July 18 Open to All Available Course 6 Aug 16 Aug 29 Ross University only Available Tuition for 2009 Tuition for the 2009 sessions is $2 900 (US Dollars) - with $900 due as a non-refundable deposit to reserve a space, and the balance can be paid in any of the following three options: Option A The balance of $2 000 will be paid as a single lump sum on or before 1st of March 2009.   Option B The balance of $2 000 will be paid in four payments of $500 each from Jan to April 2009.   Option C The balance of $2 000 can be paid in six installments of $335 each from January till June 2009.   Tuition includes: Collection and drop off at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport Two weeks full room and board at Ngongoni Game Ranch Personal attention as one of 14 on a course per session All equipment and drugs to be used Transportation to and from captures Gate and entrance fees at Parks and institutions All accommodation costs should we sleep away from base A sweater with our logo Full access to your own e-mail A comprehensive set of digital notes Not included: Airfare - Please make your own travel plans Bar tab: Although juices and water are supplied, other soft drinks and alcoholic beverages from the bar will be on your account Telephone calls will be charged Once we have received your application form, you will receive a reply regarding the success of your application. Once we have confirmed that your application has been successful, go to the section on “Information for Successful Candidates” and follow the steps closely. APPLY NOW