Pre-Vet Hands-On Experience in South Africa

VA32 have teamed up with local wildlife and conservation expert Dennis Taylor*, to offer international pre-vet students looking for vital hands-on experience, the opportunity to assist in managing a large conservation area with wildlife interactions, general management of the "ranch" and the opportunity to assist local vetenary surgeons.

The African Pre-Vet Wildlife Experience

Vetenary surgeons working with a rhino

This experience is located on a real-life, working reserve where participants sign up for an internship-style program and assist in all aspects of running and managing the conservation area. Tasks include anything from assisting experts with animal capture, rehabilitation and re-introduction to fence patrols and trap eradication. 

Relocating buffalo

Participants have the opportunity to work over several parts of the main reserve in the Kei Kubusi Conservation Area and in other local reserves where needed. Days range from the exhilarating with animal tracking, game captures and assisting vets (animals we have worked with in the past include rhino, buffalo, giraffe and lion), to the more day-to-day with fence patrols, routine maintenance work and general management of the vast reserve. Although the latter tasks might not be as exciting as working with a lion they are are totally necessary in the running of the reserve. We will not attempt to romanticize the real-life experience of running such a conservation area - we are offering the real deal - not a safari!

Fully Inclusive Experience

Open air showers in
the permanent tented
camp!

The experience is fully inclusive from arrival at the airport in East London to departure. Participants are accommodated either in permanent tented camps, (self made!) temporary camps where required and chalets where possible. Chalets and permenent camps have hot and cold running water and electricity on a generator. Due to the nature of the work some nights are spent out in the African bush where these luxuries are not available. This program is not for the faint hearted!

This opportunity is perfect for wildlife and animal lovers or anyone considering a career in animal research, vetenary medicine or wildlife management. This an opportunity to get to appreciate and understand the overall picture of animal health and conservation.

Find out more about The African Pre-Vet Experience here or inquire by emailing info@volnteerafrica.co.za.

*Qualifications and accolades of Dennis Taylor:

• BSc Botany and Zoology, Dip Agricultural Management
• FGASA Field Guiding Level 3 with Special Knowledge and Skills -Dangerous Animals.
• 15 years in conservation management
• Accredited trainer for the Field Guide Association South Africa (FGASA)