information pack
Welgevonden Game Reserve, (Dutch for "well found"), is a 34,8500ha game reserve in the Waterberg District, of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A pleasant 2.5-hour drive or an easy 45-minute flight from Johannesburg into one of the airstrips, makes Welgevonden one of the most accessible premier malaria free wilderness reserves in the country. It forms part of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve which was officially declared by UNESCO in 2001 and currently covers an area in excess of 4000 km². The reserve comprises of mountainous terrain that is dissected by deep valleys and kloofs while flat plateaus characterise most hilltops. Altitude varies from 1080 m in the north to ±1800 m in the southern section of the reserve. The diversity of habitat leads to a wide range of wildlife with grassy plains abounding with antelope from the largest eland to the diminutive duiker; and cheetah, lion and leopard are regularly seen close by. There are also numerous rare and unusual species such as brown hyena, aardwolf, pangolin and aardvark all best seen at night. Over 300 bird species can be seen on the reserve, including rare blue cranes which breed in the southern section early in the year. g.com
About Welgevondon Welgevonden is home to over 50 different mammals, including the Big Five. There are rare and unusual species too, such as brown hyena, pangolin, aardwolf and aardvark all best seen at night. The grassy plains abound with antelope from the largest eland to the diminutive duiker, and cheetah, lion and leopard are always close by. It is the diversity of habitat on the reserve that encourages such a wide range of wildlife as well as over 300 bird species, including rare blue cranes. At 34,850ha in size, Welgevonden Game Reserve lies in the Waterberg plateau, about 250km north of Johannesburg. Here guests enjoy unlimited traversing through the reserve and experience an environment where biodiversity conservation and game viewing are managed in harmony. Welgevonden protects a unique and special environment and the reserve s management is deeply committed to ongoing conservation research and development. g.com
Course Fundamentals The goal of Waterberg Wildlife & Veterinary Course is: For veterinary students, aspirant Vet students and Para Veterinary students to gain practical experience and insight in as many aspects of veterinary wildlife and conservation work as possible. To gain invaluable experience through exposure to practical and hands on skills in the wildlife veterinary field Expose participants to behind the scenes veterinary Wildlife Practices and Conservation Working with Endangered species and Wildlife Veterinarians role in Anti Poaching Immobilisation and capture techniques used for various wildlife species Wildlife ranching and conservation challenges. Develop their animal handling skills across a range of African Wildlife Species Develop their understanding and gain further experience of medical treatment of wildlife Appreciate the importance of herd health in intensive wildlife breeding Gain experience of a variety of veterinary wildlife and conservation working environments Vegetation types suitable for wildlife sustainability Tracks and tracking of Big Five on 35 000 hectare reserve Understanding Exotic disease in African Wildlife Elephant Identification and Behavioural Monitoring Rhino Identification and Behavioural Monitoring Monitoring and understanding Predator populations g.com
Veterinary Possible Veterinary Activities Preparing and loading darts: correct methods to minimize risks Darting simulation and practice shooting exercise for students. Wildlife immobilization on a Game Reserve: Darting Buffalo or Sable or smaller antelope. Immobilisation of Whiet Rhino for Date Tagging, Ear Notching and Samples Helicopter darting of large Wildlife species: White Rhino Immobilisation of Large Predator Species: Managing the Lion population, replacing collars Giraffe capture; specialized procedure when available. g.com Net gun capture from helicopter: Demonstration for smaller antelope : impala Mass capture of wildlife: Boma capture. Setting up, wind direction, terrain considerations, other planning. Logistics of wildlife transportation: Customised vehicles, crates and equipment. Parasite( internal and external ) monitoring and control in wildlife. State Veterinary disease control in practice. Notifiable disease sampling and control hands-on : Tuberculosis, Foot and Mouth, Brucellosis, Corridor Disease. Documentation required : Red cross permits. Wildlife breeding management (sable antelope, buffalo, rhino big cats). Visit and exposure to, Buffalo breeding projects.
Veterinary Calculating doses for darting wildlife Administering medications Darting practice Buffalo routine visit: measurements, health checks, parasite treatment, foot trimming, Pregnancy diagnosis. Attend emergencies (stitch up s, wound treatments, escaped animals, dystocia) Translocation of wildlife Mass capture of antelope Post Mortem of a wildlife species. Visit to Game Abbattoir Laboratory work; identifying parasites from samples, microscope worm, blood smears, egg floats. Toxic plant identification Visit to Taxadermist g.com Emergency cases : distokia, injuries, lethargy, loosing weight : diagnostics, immobilizing, treatment.
Veterinary Theory and Lectures for Chemical and Physical Restraint of Wild Animals Veterinary aspects of wildlife conservation (General overview of conservation and why we have to manage animals) Immobilisation and capture of wildlife (Mass capture/sail system/net gunning/ individual darting) Game Farming (value, logistics, trends) Pharmacology used in Wildlife (Drug classes and names and doses used and applications) Transportation and Tranquilisation Equipment needed in wildlife veterinary (equipment needed plus safety in the field) Capture related problems (Stress, hyperthermia, bloat, aspiration, capture myopathy, shock, 11 commandments) Talk from representative from Nature Conservation Species specific anatomy and problems (Giraffe, Elephant, ruminants, rhino, carnivores) Diseases and parasites of wildlife Toxicosis in wildlife Boma management Ostrich farming Extra Curricular Weekend Activities ( Additional cost for own account) Horse Back Riding Visit to Local National Park Local Hot Springs Waterfall and Open Lake Swimming Vulture Restaurant and Educational Talk Rhino Orphanage Visit To Sun City Water Sports Night Life Restaurants Golf Water Park Botanical Gardens Raptor rehabilitation and awareness Centre g.com
Veterinary Project Past Groups g.com
Conservation Monitoring the Welgevonden Rhino Welgevonden works to minimize the potential of poaching, with just 1 incident in 9 years on the property. Students and volunteers will contribute to this by actively searching for rhino and getting to know them individually, to assist with updating individual identification guides. Behavioural observations, photos and GPS locations are recorded to document where the animals are occurring, keeping tabs on the localities and activities of White Rhino on Welgevonden. This activity is ongoing and will take place all year round; an incredible experience and an ideal opportunity to make a difference in conserving the White Rhino. Understand Anti-Poaching Welgevonden takes pride in it s large investment in security of the reserve. Anti-poaching protocols are of vital importance and volunteers are invited to attend a talk for an insight to what antipoaching, coordinating ambushes, gaining intelligence, and for all the latest statistics on the poaching tragedy g.com
Conservation Elephant Identification and Behavioural Monitoring As a megaherbivore elephants have the ability to alter habitats and have other effects on the Ecosystems on the reserve. Research is conducted into the effect that elephants have not only on the vegetative component of the reserve but also on the other animals that are affected by these changes. With elephants living in close proximity to humans on Welgevonden and regularly coming into contact with humans as a result of tourism based activities, there is the potential for conflict. Research will determine the best way to reduce and avoid this potential conflict. Individual elephants and herds will be identified to gain a better understanding of herd structure and behaviour to ensure the correct implementation of management intervention. Monitoring the Welgevonden Cheetah g.com Welgevonden is home to the largest, most successful wild Cheetah population in the Waterberg cluster; a huge hope for this Vulnerable species. Students and volunteers will be actively involved in the conservation of this species by updating their identikits. This activity takes place when Cheetah are sighted but will occur year round and will invite many pleasant surprises!
Conservation Herbivore Herd Structure Herbivore herd structures needs to be monitored to give detailed information on the individuals within the populations and their interactions with their environment. This information is input into a model to predict future herbivore population densities. Students and volunteers will conduct road transect game counts by travelling designated routes to document information on any herbivores spotted. Species include Greater Kudu, White Rhino, Elephant, Blue Wildebeest and many more. This is a monthly activity that takes 3 days to complete imagine a 3 day game drive with the ideal opportunity to gain species knowledge! Monitoring Herbivore Condition Students and volunteers will be involved in assessing body condition of herbivores on the reserve and collecting their dung samples, which will be analysed to determine the levels of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the animals diet with Welgevonden s nutrient poor vegetation, one wonders how they survive, but they do! This project will take place all year round; a great opportunity for game viewing and being able to contribute to multiple research projects during your time at Welgevonden. g.com
The Art of Tracking The traditional skills of tracking are indigenous art forms that evolved for reasons of human survival. Tracking has often been misrepresented as an unexplainable and mystical skill possessed only by a privileged few and hence these traditions have been rapidly eroding over the years. This misconception has resulted in a long delay in the formal adoption of the skill as a practical application that can be taught and evaluated objectively : an experience volunteers on Welgevonden will be invited to explore g.com Experience the Bushmen Paintings Welgevonden has 2 known sites where there is evidence of the San people existing in the Waterberg more than 2500 years ago! These ancient subjects are very delicate yet fascinating. An hour and a half guided walk and talk can be arranged for students and volunteers to interpret the meanings of these paintings and guide you through the spiritual life of these people
Talks from Management The management panel at Welgevonden Game Reserve have a wealth of passion, experience and knowledge, with over 100 years of experience between them in the guiding, conservation and management fields. Students and volunteers are privileged to tap into this and join talks, discussions and debates hosted by members of the management team. Topics include (but are definitely not limited to!): Surviving in a nutrient-poor Savanna Converting the Welgevonden Sourveld from a fire driven system to a herbivore driven system The behavioural ecology of Pangolins What is The Predator Pit and how to survive it? Animals and behaviour Lions, Elephant, Buffalo, Antelope, Birds Any many, many others g.com
& lifestyle Whilst conducting your Veterinary & Game Farming Project you will be accommodated at the purpose built student centre which is situated on the Main Reserve. The center boasts ten purpose built tents that sleep two people per tent in single beds, each tent also has lighting and electricity supply. Shared ablutions of Toilets and Showers are available with running hot and cold water. There is also a number of communal facilities including a lecture room, canteen, storage fridge, lounge and entertainment area. The center also has access to Wi-Fi. Three meals are provided on a daily on a semi-participation basis which are prepared communally. Meals will either be served at the facility itself or taken as a pre-packed serving, depending on planned or as result of unscheduled activities. Weekends & Evenings: Most evenings are spent at leisure at the camp enjoying the sights and sounds of Wild Africa. Weekends you are free to explore the local attractions which include horse riding, wildlife sanctuaries and Sun City which is a popular tourist destination. You are also welcome to stay on reserve and work with the research team who work 6 days a week. g.com