Combine two of our programs to explore South Africa and works with its wildlife. The first two weeks of the trip will be the South Africa Zoo Medicine program based at Lory Park Animal and Owl Sanctuary in South Africa. Lory Park is one of only six zoos in Africa accredited by the Pan African Association of Zoos and Aquaria, with a focus on education and conservation. Your program will focus on understanding the anatomy, handling, and medical needs in captivity, behavior, and conservation of five main groups of animals at the park: birds of prey, reptiles, big cats, small cats, and primates. Your work with and coursework about these animals will be supplemented by veterinary labs such as necropsies and lectures from veterinarians and expert guests. In addition, we will spend a weekend on safari in the Kruger Game Reserve, one of the largest in South Africa and home to elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, lions, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of other species.

The third week of the program will be the Rhino Conservation and Management program based at the famous Care for Wild rhino sanctuary in South Africa. Care for Wild is the world’s largest orphaned rhino sanctuary: a rescue, rehab, and release project for rhinos orphaned by poaching.

You will spend the week at Care for Wild learning from your Loop Abroad teaching veterinarian and from the Care for Wild staff about the rescue, care for, and protection of rhinos. Your program includes educational lectures, daily feeding and upkeep of young rhinos, learning about wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching in the field, game drives, and the chance to observe essential procedures or new intakes that may happen while you are on-site.


Who It’s For

This program is designed for university-aged students who are interested in becoming veterinarians or working professionally with animals. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Most are 18 to 25, but we also accept full-time undergraduates over 25.

There are no pre-requisites for this program. You do not need to be in school currently to apply. Individuals of any nationality may apply.

Each group of up to 8-12 students will have its own veterinarian and the groups will share site staff.

Highlights

• Two-day safari in Kruger reserve to spot elephants, giraffes, and more!
• Study big cats such as white and tawny lions, Siberian tigers, pumas, and leopards
• Assist the zoo vet team in providing care such as vaccinations and deworming
• Visit community schools as part of zoo education and outreach program (when available)
• Support enrichment and training for primates, including gibbons and lemurs
• Learn about research on black-footed cats
• Feed young and juvenile rhinos, including bottle feeding
• Monitor released rhinos and the development of new calves born in the protective area
• Collect data on other African mammal species in the wild
• Assist with K9 patrol
• Day visit to Jane Goodall’s Chimp Eden
• Learn about rhino emergency transport, medical issues, and more!