Conservation is no longer just a buzzword. Game capture, veterinary, or conservation safaris are a unique, ‘hands-on’ opportunity to meaningfully benefit wildlife.
Not only will you experience the thrill of the capture, but you’ll gain an understanding of the finely-tuned planning and tremendous scientific expertise that goes on behind the scenes of a veterinary game capture operation.
First Do No Harm
On a veterinary safari, animals are only ever intervened with for conservation, wildlife management or scientific reasons.
Wild animals are often darted from the safety of a helicopter or car. There are a number of reasons for this; including preserving nature’s balance, game relocation, testing for diseases, pregnancy patterns and treating of wounds. They can also be fitted with a radio collar or a microchip to track their movements.
Invaluable Learning
Wildlife vet Dr Peter Rogers, who works in the Klaserie Game Reserve close to Hoedspruit in Mpumalanga, is involved in a rhino identification program.
Rogers says it is important to know the size of a particular animal’s territory, their movements and breeding habits. ‘There are scientific reasons to do these captures, and the knowledge we gain is beyond value,’ he explains. ‘I’ve been in the business for the past 20 years and never lost a single animal.’
Be Part of the Action
He added that microchips help control the threat of poaching as the animals, in this case, rhinos, could be identified. Or if a horn of a rhino is recovered, they can scan the chip and locate its origin.
For the sake of the animal and guests, Rogers emphasises there is a strict policy that only qualified veterinarians carry out these operations. While the vet and other professionals concentrate on immobilising and ear notching (the process whereby microchips are placed behind each ear and on the horn), guests can do the smaller tasks like help with taking measurements of the feet/horns/tusks or cover the rhino’s eyes with a blanket to reduce the stress of external stimuli.
Animal Tag
Dart safaris are becoming increasingly popular with companies for team building and training exercises, thus strengthening the synergy between the corporate and conservation worlds. Offered around the country by game reserves, they are also ideal for families and tour groups looking for an unusual bush experience.
‘It’s quite a large operation to track, dart and tag an animal,’ says Melina Economou from Bateleur Safaris situated in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga. ‘There are a number of benefits in involving the public. Greater awareness is created about what we do; and by opening this to the public, private funding is generated for the greater good of the environment.’
Walk to Freedom
Once the entire operation is over and the professionals have collected the data they need, an antidote is administered. Most times, guests can see the animal get up and walk away. The feeling of reward and achievement at having participated is immensely satisfying.
However, says Economou ‘In cases where the vets need to dart a sick animal – the procedure may be longer as it may be necessary to operate and allow the animal to recuperate before releasing it. For relocations, animals are released as soon as they get to their destination.’
Winter Healing
Most of these operations are undertaken in the cooler months between April and October, so as not to interfere with calving and lambing during the warmer months. Also, if the weather is too hot then the animal’s life can be endangered.
“It was the highlight of my trip!”
Besides enjoying the privilege of touching and helping to care for a wild creature, guests also take with them a greater understanding and respect for the environment.
All round, it’s a job well done.
© Images courtesy and copyright of Bateleur Safaris.
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