VN November 2022

Vetnuus | November 2022 18 SAVA sponsored 2 x veterinary students to join a dipping and darting weekend 27-29 May 2022, Zwartkloof Game Reserve Bela-Bela Herewith some feedback from students that attended the weekend By Mariné Nieuwoudt On the 27th of May 2022 we embarked on an amazing adventure, organized by the Wildlife committee of Onderstepoort. We arrived at Zwartkloof Private Game Reserve (located in Bela-Bela) at about 18:00. This really shaped up to be the weekend of a lifetime. Some of the highlights included sitting beside the fire under a star-filled sky, dipping animals like giraffes, buffalos, zebras, etc. from a helicopter, target practice with a dart gun and getting hands-on experience in working with wildlife. I really enjoyed the fact that we were allowed to work with the animals and learn practically in the field things like how to do pregnancy diagnosis on a buffalo, how to administer drugs, etc. We also received a course on darts and darting as well as received some vital tips from an excellent wildlife veterinarian. Even though I am only a second-year veterinary student, the information and practical experience were explained to me in such a way that I could understand and remember it and I really appreciated this. I did not feel like I wasmissing out due to the fact that I was only a second-year student. v Lelanie Terblanche, Marine Nieuwoudt, Gina Joao, Megan, Wime Rautenbach, Corlia Venter