Presented by Tsavran Consulting, in collaboration with the Estonian University of Life Sciences, WildlifeVets.com, and Wildlife Pharmaceuticals

Tsavran Consulting, in collaboration with a number of local and international institutions and organisations, undertook the task of providing world-class training to veterinarians in the field of anaesthesia and chemical immobilisation. These training courses started in 2016 with courses presented in countries including South Africa, Poland, Latvia, Russia, Greece, UAE and India. In 2026, we are excited to host our ZEWA advanced course once again at WildlifeVets, Ngongoni Game Lodge, Nelspruit, South Africa. This will be a two-week intensive, theoretical, and hands-on experience for veterinarians addressing aspects of capture, immobilization, anaesthesia, pain management and post procedural care of zoo and wild animals. In response to popular demand, we will be holding two ZEWA courses in 2026.

TO APPLY:

Please email admin@tsavran.com specifying whether you prefer course 1 (12-26 July 2026) or course 2 (2-15 August 2026)

COURSE PRESENTERS:

Dr Aleksander Semjonov is a veterinary anaesthesiologist, senior lecturer and chief clinical officer at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, head veterinarian of Tallin Zoo and clinical advisor for Tsavran Consulting. Dr Semjonov is based in Estonia and works as a practicing anaesthesiologist for zoo and wild animals around the world, doing his primary research in investigating novel anaesthetics in various wildlife species. He defended his PhD thesis on the use of a butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine combination in different African wildlife species. He has broad clinical and scientific experience in long-term anaesthesia of zoo, exotics and wildlife animals for surgical procedures. Dr Semjonov specialises in the anaesthesia of carnivores, larger ruminants, giraffes, elephants and marine mammals.

Dr Cobus Raath spent the first 11 years of his working life as the veterinarian for the Kruger National Park, South Africa. After he left Kruger National Park in 1996, he set up a company specialising in wildlife capture and relocation, applied research, clinical support, emergency wildlife medicine, and combined the practice with courses in Conservation Medicine. Dr Raath is the International Business Development Manager of Wildlife Pharmaceuticals, a company that owns, develops and distributes pharmaceutical preparations for wildlife worldwide. Wildlife Pharmaceuticals is also actively researching and developing new medicines for wildlife, sharing information, and supporting masters and PhD students. He is based in South Africa. Dr Raath is the author of a number of scientific publications and book chapters.

LECTURES WILL INCLUDE:

• Overview of capture methods

• Clinically relevant physiology

• Applied pharmacology

• Principles of immobilization

• Monitoring of animals

• Human safety and first aid

• Anaesthesia and immobilisation of specific groups of animals, including carnivores, primates, ruminants, equids, suids, reptiles, and megaherbivores.

Pending time and specific interest of participants, other species that can be covered include marine mammals, birds, camelids, squamates, and fish.

PRACTICAL SESSIONS:

• Helicopter safety

• Practical dart filling and darting, including darting a moving target from a helicopter

• Human first aid and CPR (in case of emergency during wildlife immobilisation)

• Demonstration, handling and monitoring of different immobilised wild animals.

With the courses held at the wildlife practice, Wildlifevets.com, we will accompany the practice veterinarians on all possible call-outs and field work.

PLANNED EXCURSIONS:

• A full day game drive in Kruger National Park

• Visit to a rhino rehabilitation facility

• A day of leisure activities and sightseeing.

TARGET GROUP:

• Wildlife veterinarians

• Zoo veterinarians

• University veterinary personnel involved in teaching and wildlife management.

Candidate numbers are limited to a maximum of 12 participants per course to ensure quality attention to each candidate.

ACCOMMODATION:

Participants will stay in shared accommodation at Ngongoni Game Lodge outside Nelspruit, South Africa.

COURSE FEES:

• Full course fees: $5750 USD.

• A non-refundable deposit of $2000 USD is to be paid immediately to reserve a spot on the trip, and the balance of $3750 USD can be paid in instalments, but fees are to be fully paid 60 days before arrival.

• Fees include:

  • Airport shuttle to and from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP)

  • Shared en suite accommodation and three meals per day

  • Coffee or tea during breaks

  • All equipment and drugs used during the course

  • Transport during the course

  • All entrance fees, e.g. Kruger National Park

  • Course completion certificate. This program has been submitted for RACE® approval (but has not yet been approved) for 49 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE® approval

• Fees exclude:

  • Bar tab

  • Flights to and from MQP

  • Visas and insurance.

TO APPLY:

Please email admin@tsavran.com specifying whether you prefer course 1 (12-26 July 2026) or course 2 (2-15 August 2026)

If you have specific questions about the course or its content, please email vet3@wildlifevets.com

This program has been submitted for RACE® approval for 49 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE® approval