South Africa Study Abroad Course: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

Rachel Ellerd, Texas A&M

It was a crisp, chilly June morning when 16 eager veterinary students excitedly unloaded off the bus at Amakhala Game Reserve. We were ready to start our South Africa study abroad course and gain knowledge and skills involved in the immobilization and conservation of wildlife. Guided by Dr. Peter Brothers, the veterinarian leading our course, and Dr. Alice Blue-McClendon, our professor from the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, we quickly gathered into two game-viewers and headed off on our first safari ride. Within minutes, we were immersed in herds of cape buffalo, wildebeest, zebra and white rhino. While the sun set along the horizon, a full-grown African elephant walked within inches of our game-viewer, and I knew this would be a trip to remember.

The view of the sunrise from our tents at Mattanu Game Reserve

After getting a taste of the adventure that awaited us, we spent our first full day in the classroom learning the basics of African wildlife management. 

A herd of giraffe at Amakhala Game Reserve

Next came physiology and pharmacology. Safety being our instructor’s top priority, we learned the ins and outs of the different tranquilizers, sedatives and antidotes we would be working with in the field as well as how and why specific ones work for different species. 

Texas A&M CVM South Africa study abroad class

Brimming with excitement, we started out the next morning by darting wildebeest. It didn’t take long until all 20 veterinary students were working like a well-oiled machine, each with their own duties to make the process as efficient as possible. Each student was able to practice different skills such as administering vaccines, anti-parasitic medicine, drawing blood and monitoring vital signs. 

One of the rescued leopards at Shamwari Big Cat Rescue

Between classroom and safari work, we were able do some sightseeing. Addo Elephant National Park, the third-largest national park in Africa, is a must-see for any elephant lover. One of my favorite days of our trip was an excursion off the coast of Port Elizabeth. We journeyed to St. Croix island, home to the largest breeding colony of African penguins. On our boat ride there, we encountered a pod of more than 100 bottle-nosed dolphins and a rare southern right whale with her calf.

Southern Right Whale, off the coast of Port Elizabeth

Finally, our last stop in the southern cape consisted of giving back to the African community. We brought donations to Isopho, a facility that assists victims of the AIDS pandemic, most of whom are children. The smiles on the kids’ faces were priceless as they scored against us in games of soccer and when they each got their very own bag filled with hygiene care products and treats.

Rhinos during sunset, Amakhala Game Reserve

The next leg of our journey took place at the Mattanu game reserve in the northern cape of South Africa. It was here that we took on our largest and most dangerous immobilizations—giraffe. Because of their enormous size, it took careful planning, incredible skill, teamwork and a little bit of luck to safely dart, treat and guide them onto a specialized trailer using a system of ropes. Once loaded, the feeling of accomplishment that swept over our team was unforgettable.

Walking the giraffe to the transportation vehicle

After more immobilizations, we continued our lectures on the diseases of African wildlife and their conservation. One lecture that really changed my way of thinking was Dr. Brothers’ lecture about hunting and its positive effect on conservation. 

Dr. Brothers teaching me how to shoot a dart gun

Going into the study abroad, it seemed counter-intuitive to me that hunting could help save species from extinction. However, we learned that without carefully maintained and humane hunting to sustain the value of African wildlife, many populations would be killed off to be eaten and make room for farmland instead of being carefully managed and conserved. In addition, the revenue made from hunting is put back into protecting wildlife. 

Sunset at Mattanu Game Reserve

Although all the animal darting was done by veterinarians, we had a unique opportunity to practice shooting from a helicopter on our own. Each student had a short ride in a helicopter that chased a pretend antelope (a volunteer on a four-wheeler with protective gear and a cut-out target on his back) and had five shots with a paintball gun with which to test their skill. 

Immobilization of a red hartebeest