Disease Ecology & Wildlife Management Field Practicum in South Africa
- South Africa
About Program
In partnership with South African National Parks, this field-based practicum focuses on disease ecology, wildlife management, and applied veterinary epidemiology in and around the Kruger National Park. Run with local veterinary scientists, it is designed to provide participants with direct insights into current challenges faced by wildlife conservation in South Africa and veterinary health care in resource-poor, rural agricultural areas. Interactions with field veterinarians and extensive experience in practical and theoretical disease research are key focuses. Land use changes and global climate change could have significant effects on disease epidemiology across a broad range of taxa. This program is designed to provide students with training in techniques for monitoring disease in different vertebrate taxa across land use systems. It will also provide field research experience relevant to conservation and make a contribution to long-term epidemiological monitoring.
Video and Photos
Program Highlights
- Conduct research in Kruger National Park, South Africa's largest and most famous national park
- Monitor disease in different vertebrate taxa across various land use systems
- Contribute to long-term epidemiological monitoring
- Understand the challenges wildlife veterinarians face in Kruger National Park
- Rub elbows with wildlife managers, field veterinarians and conservationists
Popular Programs
Six weeks not enough? Join OTS for a full semester of savanna ecology, conservation, and South African history and culture as you dive into this popular field program.
Questions & Answers
Location
South Africa is often thought of as resoundingly unstable and poor; however, this is far from the case. The duality in South Africa encompasses big cities with a well-developed infrastructure, as well as rural areas that are underdeveloped and impoverished. South Africa is well known for having 11 recognized languages, beautiful landscapes, world-class universities, and an abundance of animals.
