Registration and additional information may be found at: http://wildlifecaptureafrica.com/

The Course in the Chemical and Physical Restraint of Wild Animals held in Malilangwe, is a practical, interactive training course conducted jointly by the ZWVT , Zimbabwe Veterinary Association Wildlife Group in conjunction with the Government Veterinary Services (GVS) Wildlife Unit and other partners (South Africa and International)., on an annual basis. Veterinarians and other individuals involved in the wildlife industry come from all over the globe to participate in this highly rated course and life time experience.

The course is hosted by the Malilangwe Wildlife Estate, located in Zimbabwe’s south-east lowveld. The Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve is a 105 000 acre multi-use game ranch hosting a wide range of wildlife. Malilangwe is operated under the Malilangwe Trust, a wholly Zimbabwean non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife and environmental conservation, and rural development.
The Estate has a large number of wildlife, including 145 elephant, 1000 buffalo, 200 eland, 170 giraffe, and many other species. Due to Malilangwe’s location in the south-east lowveld, the Estate is also host to several unique and varying ecological habitats providing a breathtaking backdrop to this unique experience.
The Estate has a strong community program in the surrounding communal lands including a feeding program for school children. Participants are graciously accommodated at the Hakamela Camp, which is a custom designed education/conference facility located within the boundaries of the Malilangwe Wildlife Estate. Comfortable twin lodgings are supplied. Lectures are held in a modern, thatched lecture room, whereas practical demonstrations are held in both the field, at the Captive Breeding Center and in the Hakamela gardens.

When

The Course is held every year during the month of February. The course lasts 10 days, including the final examination day. Individuals can fly into Harare, where transport to the lowveld will be arranged, others will travel by vehicle from surrounding countries and from various locations in Zimbabwe.

Who

The Course is a comprehensive training course for veterinarians, researchers, and managers involved in wildlife and conservation work. Only veterinarians are allowed to attend the course from South Africa, an agreement with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC), designed to tighten up the use of Schedule 6 drugs used in game capture.

Non-veterinarians can be selected based on merit and peer review from other African countries and Internationally. Zimbabweans (vets and non-vets) are also key participants in the Course, both as first timers and with a number of refresher attendees, a legal requirement for Zimbabwe Dangerous Drug license holders.The course has been designed to provide a maximum amount of theoretical and practical information over the course of a week. The successful completion of the course and passing the examination indicates that an individual will be armed with a better understanding and knowledge – but not necessarily experience – to do as professional a job as possible and demonstrate concern for animal welfare when capturing and handling wildlife. The course is designed to get people started with some experience, which will need to be built on over months and years. It does not make one an expert overnight! Networking at the course allows the establishment of contacts with experienced wildlife veterinarians, game capture operators and researchers – always a phone call away after the course is completed

Key Zimbabwe based organizations and institutions include: The ZWVT, Zimbabwe Veterinary Association Wildlife Group and the GVS Wildlife Unit. The ZVA represents the veterinarians of Zimbabwe and is a respected member of the international veterinary community. The Association holds a biannual conference and publishes the Zimbabwe Veterinary Journal. The ZVA has a close relationship with the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) and its Wildlife Group and the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC). Other close associations internationally, include International Wildlife Veterinary Services (IWVS) based in California, USA and Wildlife Pharmaceuticals, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

Lecture Topics

The course is comprehensive and addresses many important aspects of the safe and effective chemical and physical restraint of wildlife. Some current lecture topics include:

Basic and applied physiology
Legal considerations
Basic pharmacology
Immobilizing drugs
Principles of physical & chemical capture & restraint
Handling of immobilizing drugs, safety & first aid
Species requirements with regards drugs
Stress & capture related mortality
Basic weapon handling
Ballistics and darting systems
Overview of physical capture methods
Post mortem investigation