This exciting two week program offers volunteers/students a unique hands-on opportunity to gain experience in wildlife conservation, whilst having a once in a lifetime experience! As a volunteer on our Wildlife Management and Veterinary Experience you’ll join the team behind the scenes with veterinarians, researchers, wildlife/game managers and conservationists, as you get hands on with some of Africa’s amazing wildlife.

The course is aimed at those in the veterinary profession or currently studying a veterinary related field. It is ideal for vets, vet nurses, vet techs, student vet nurses and vet students.

During the course delegates will gain technical knowledge and skills involved in chemical restraint, immobilisation and conservation fo South African Wildlife. It includes multiple theory and practical sessions to ensure maximum learning opportunities outside of your usual classroom setting.

The knowledge and experience gained during the experience highlights the many problems faced by wildlife vets and conservationists in Southern Africa. The skills learnt during your two weeks on the course are naturally transferable skills for future wildlife work anywhere in the world including captive facilities.

No experience is required.

The programme is facilitated in English.

You will participate in game captures working alongside experienced capture teams to safetly treat and/or relocate a variety of species as you gte hands on in the middle of the African Bush.

Topics you can expect to cover include:

• Species Identification

• Grazing and Reserve Management

• Methods of Capture and Immobilisation

• Nutrition and Deficiencies

• Conservation Methods - including hunting as a conservation tool. (Conservation Vs Trophy Hunting)

• Applied Pharmacology and commonly used drugs

• Dart Gun Theory and Practical

• Law and Ethics in wildlife management and wildlife work

• Transferable Skills

• Rehabilitation

• Plus many other wildlife related topics.

Where and When?

As part of your two week long programme you will be staying on a private game reserve in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape.

Final landing destination is Port Elizabeth Airport

Dates vary throughout the year but mostly run through April/May and June/July/August each year due to weather.

Accommodation

Your home for the duration of your stay is in a luxury tented bush camp for a true African experience!

Tents accommodate 2 people sharing. You’ll enjoy meals at the main lodge.

The project caters for small groups to ensure a well managed, personalised and safe environment, for both man and beast.

Within the realm of what is safe, ethical and

possible from the wildlife perspective.
A maximum of 8 individuals can participate on the programme at one time.

2025 Start Dates

April 14th - April 25th

May 12th - May 27th

June 16th - June 27th

August 11th - August 22nd

(limited spaces available)

For a full brochure email

gaia.volunteering@outlook.com