Introduction to Wildlife Medicine Course

The " Introduction to Wildlife Medicine" Course is presented to all veterinary students and any student of clinical wildlife science. It touches on all aspects of Conservation Medicine, and comprises of about  20 hours of lectures and 60 hours of practical hands on experience on our research farm, Terra Luna. Since 1999, we have had over 1500 students from 22 different countries attending our courses.

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. Irrespective of the procedure, and guided only by safety aspects, students will participate in procedures like animal restraint, 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 controlled within the parameters of the program, most students get ample opportunity.

To expand the experience we may visit several projects that are complimentary to Conservation Medicine, such as disease free buffalo breeding projects, crocodile breeding farms, a  cheetah breeding centre and a  wildlife rehabilitation centre. We also visit the Kruger National Park - South Africa's most well known National Park.

To maximize the benefit of clinical procedures, they are accompanied by a preparation lecture and a good discussion afterwards. Students are invited to participate. Time is also dedicated to specific topics of relevance, disease management and controversial aspects such as culling and contraception, and this often leads to interesting debates. Global issues are addressed and students are stimulated to think, express and defend their opinions.

Course Content

*   Applied Physiology, pharmacology and drugs used in wildlife

*   Various techniques and capture methods for different species

*   Principles of Conservation Medicine and Practical implementation methods

*   Diseases of wildlife and implications at the  interface, and adaptive management strategies

*   The structure of conservation and veterinary services in Southern Africa

*   The principles of sustainable utilization, culling, hunting and wildlife production

*   Wildlife products, black markets and CITES

*   Animal Rehabilitation Centres and the role of zoos

*   Animal rights organizations, their role and perceived threats

*   The management of system health vs. individual animal medicine, incorporating veterinary medicine & public health

*   Global assets and authorities

*   The role of a veterinarian in the team against planetary threats

*   Research protocol preparation, data collection and cleaning of data

Course Fees

$3200.00 US - 2012 (Non-refundable deposit to secure seat $1200.00 US)

All course fees must be paid in full before the specific course commences .

Reservations are based on first come, first serve basis.
Any dietary requirements will require a $200.00 surcharge. This includes vegetarians.
This fee will be charged to your bar bill and payable at the Lodge before departure.
Vegans need not apply.

Fees include

*   Pick up and drop off at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA)
*   Two weeks accommodation and meals at Terra Luna Lodge
*   All equipment and drugs used during the course
*   Transportation to and from captures
*   Gate and entrance fees at Parks and Institutions
*   All accommodation costs should it be necessary to sleep away from Terra Luna Lodge
*   A comprehensive set of digital notes
*   Course completion certificate

Not included

*   Airfares: Participants will need to fly to Johannesburg International Airport, and then either take a connecting flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), or a shuttle bus to Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Participants will be transported to Terra Luna Lodge either from KMIA or the bus stop in Nelspruit, on the specified arrival and departure days of courses. Should a participant arrive on an unscheduled day, he/she will be liable for an additional cash transfer fee of R250.00 p/person p/trip.

*   Bar tab: Although juices and water are supplied, other soft drinks, bottled water and alcoholic beverages from the bar will be for your own account.

*   Telephone calls will be charged

*   Internet access: Facilities are provided but will charged for.

Terms and conditions

No previous wildlife experience is necessary.

*   Courses are open but not limited to 12 participants.

*   Applicants must have a high level of mental and physical fitness;

*   Medical and evacuation insurance;

*   Must be prepared to stay in basic accommodation in the field if needs be;

*   Understand that Terra Luna is remotely situated;

*   Wildlifevets.com and Terra Luna Lodge reserves the right to refuse access to the lodge and practice based on inadequate payment or inappropriate behaviour.