Page 6 - UNAM Forum Ed1-2021

group of fourth-year disease as a result of reintroduction explaining these to owners of
students from the and translocation programmes.” the game, as well as quantifying
School of Veterinary the risks and planning how best
Medicine spent a “The students get exposed to to mitigate them. The education
A week at the Otjikoto direct experience when it comes additionally includes knowledge
Nature Reserve Educational to relevant aspects of capture and on the game capturing regulations
Centre, as part of their practical translocation of wildlife. Not many in Namibia, in particular those
training. Deep in the wild, the vet programmes worldwide cover relevant to the movement of
training emphasised the skills the wildlife component in their game and their products as it
required to capture, transport and training.” relates to conservation and the
care for free-ranging Namibian game industry, and the control of
wild animals. With intervals of class sessions under disease within wildlife.
camelthorn trees, students receive
Accompanying the future vets training in the fundamentals of Since the establishment of the
were two senior lecturers, Dr Mark physiology, pharmacology and School, all these activities in the
Jago and Dr Ortwin Aschernborn, applied pharmacology in wildlife wild are made possible through
as well as a paraprofessional, Mr anaesthesia. In addition, both long-term industry partnerships and
Linus Majiwa. The School, in the theoretical and practical teaching generous sponsorships.
Faculty of Agriculture and Natural in drugs used in the tranquilisation,
Resources, graduated its first anaesthesia and immobilisation “The week, for the most part, was
cohort of 17 qualified veterinarians of wild animals for their capture, facilitated by the tremendous
in July 2020. transport and care.
sponsorship of B2Gold Namibia,
together with Du Preez Wild, and
From a conservation perspective The intricate passive and active
capture systems used to capture the University’s constant support,”
The Wildlife Clinical Studies aspect wild animals were the highlights of said Dr Jago.
of the programme makes the the expedition.
6-year course at the University of “On this expedition, the intention
Namibia standout internationally. Dr Aschenborn said: “A lot of time was for the group of students to
was spent on the design and be able to experience the capture
Dr Jago said: “The Wildlife Clinical specifications of both active and of wildebeest, zebra, impala and
Studies three modular training passive capture bomas, as well waterbuck.”
covers interventions required in wild as the handling and welfare of
animal health veterinary science. animals within the boma. The capture, that took place during
This includes human-wildlife conflict, the week of 07 – 11 September,
meta-population management He adds that students are was carried out with permission
through translocation, and actions encouraged to identify the risks from the Ministry of Environment,
required to reduce the risk of of capture and translocation and Forestry and Tourism.

6 Official Newsletter