PRE-VET PROGRAMME

GAEA’s Pre-Vet Programme has been designed for those with an interest in veterinary medicine, or just a love of animals!

The programme is based in Chintsa (pronounced Sin-sa) on the Wild Coast, EC, South Africa. This beautiful spot boasts an idyllic untouched coastline, with a few private game reserves in the area ready and waiting to accommodate students for weekend activities.

The pre-vet programme consists of three main components:

small animal
large animal/livestock
wildlife
Participants gain valuable hands on experience with a variety of different species under the direct supervision and supported by a group of trained veterinary professionals including veterinarians, veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians and animal health technicians.
*No previous experience is required*

WHAT TO EXPECT?

Small Animal and Community Outreach

The majority of our work with small animals involves community outreach programmes, whereby students provide preventative healthcare and medical treatment to the canine population in townships and villages within the Kei Mouth area. Our work in here truly makes a difference to the lives of the animals living in these communities who otherwise would have no access to veterinary care. During these days students are involved in:

Preventative healthcare via ‘dipping’ and injectables
administering subcutaneous (under the skin) and intramuscular (into the muscle) injections
basic wound care and first aid
medical based discussions regarding diagnosis and treatment plans in more severe cases
post operative care for any cases referred for surgery at local clinics
lectures on common canine diseases seen in South Africa
restraint methods

Students also get to interact with the local Xhosa people, learning more about their culture and the language.

We are currently working alongside animal charity Buckaroo to assist in the neutering of township dogs to prevent overpopulation.

Large animal

This aspect of the programme involves working with a range of livestock species on local commercial farms and in the townships/locations. This includes pigs, sheep, goats and cattle.

Students perform physical exams, treat wounds and administer medications alongside our veterinary team. Activities include:

Preventative healthcare/parasite control via injections and dipping.
Artificial insemination in cattle and pigs
Lectures on common diseases found in South African livestock
Hoof trimming (sheep and goats)
Pregnancy testing in cattle and sheep
Safe handling and husbandry
Lectured tours of dairy and pig farms

African Wildlife

This part of the programme includes assisting a wildlife vet in game captures or acting as the ground team during mass captures, an experience unique to South Africa!

Reasons for game capture include:

Genetic variation: Every piece of land in South Africa is owned and therefore fenced. The wildlife on these reserves/farms live within a contained system. Therefore, it is necessary for translocations to occur in order to prevent inbreeding and overpopulation. These animals are located, immobilised, transported, relocated and released, receiving veterinary treatment if required.

Veterinary Care - assist the wildlife vet as animals requiring veterinary intervention are located, darted and treated accordingly. Students are directly involved in monitoring anaesthesia and recovery, administering medications and practicing safe handling. You will also learn about capture related pharmacology.

The majority of wildlife work involves antelopes including impala, nyala, blesbok and bushbuck. On occasions, students may also get to work with wildebeest, zebra and giraffe. Some of our lucky students have been involved in buffalo, lion and rhino captures in recent years.

PLEASE NOTE GAME CAPTURES ARE NOT GUARANTEED DURING YOUR STAY

Accommodation

Students are based at Buccaneers Backpackers, Cintsa West. Cintsa is found just outside of East London (Eastern Cape), approximately a 45minute drive from East London airport.

Buccaneers provide comfortable and clean accommodation, with a bar, volleyball court and pool onsite. Students can expect to stay in shared accommodation (approx 2-8 students per room) with a Safari4u staff member living on site.

The beautiful beach and lagoon can also be found just a few minutes walk from the backpackers, students can therefore enjoy the Wild Coast on their doorstep. On the opposite side of the lagoon (Cintsa East) students will find a few local restaurants and newly opened micro pub (Pickled). Cintsa is a safe area so students are free to do as they please and enjoy local life.

https://www.buccaneerschintsa.com/

Food

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included in as part of the programme. Please provide us with any dietary requirements prior to your arrival.

Students enjoy breakfast and dinner at Buccaneers, prepared by the kitchen staff, in the dining hall which overlooks the lagoon and coastline. Students can enjoy the incredible sunrise from this spot. Groceries are provided on a weekly basis and stored in a kitchenette that students have access to at all times. Students are expected to prepare their own packed lunch ready for their daily activities. Any snacks (i.e. chocolate, crisps) are to be paid for at the students own expense and can be purchased on their weekly visit to the local supermarket.

Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements can be catered for.

Other Activities:

Aquarium - Students visit East London Aquarium where they learn about marine rehabilitation and toxins. Some of our students have been involved in blood draws on penguins for DNA testing and tube feeding of sea-birds entering phase 1 of their rehabilitation.

Dart Gun Practice - Students are guided through safely using a dart gun before testing out their aim with some targets. This is especially useful when preparing students to deworm wildlife using special medicated paintballs.

Lectures - Lectures inhouse are usually saved for a rainy day and tend to cover basic pharmacology, endo and ecto parasites, bandaging practice, common diseases, case studies, poaching, suture practice, etc. If students have a particular interest in certain topics, lectures in those areas can be arranged.

Giraffe Research - Students are involved in the relocation of the motion sensor camera and feeder at our local game reserve as part of ongoing research with SaveGiraffesNow.

Weekend Activities

Weekends are free time so we encourage our students to go off and explore. Staff are more than happy to help you organise trips and activities. Prices available on request.