“Teamwork makes dream work,” a phrase that truly resonated during last week’s remarkable mass horn-trimming operation. In a collaborative effort, African Wildlife Vets, supported by Cycle of Life joined forces with the Aspinall Foundation supported by DCM Surfaces assisted Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) in trimming the horns of 40 white rhinos. The operation- continue reading –
The Wildlife Management team from the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) responded to a complaint of six lions roaming the residential area of Marloth Park on the evening of 20 June 2023. All six lions were darted and placed in a holding facility outside Nelspruit. The pride of six lions has subsequently been relocated- continue reading –
Dr Chris Smith assisted the MTPA with collaring a black footed cat recently. The black footed cat is the smallest wild cat in Africa. Their status is “Vulnerable” on the IUCN red list of threatened species and the population is decreasing due to intraguild predation, disease and unsuitable farming practices, amongst other threats. This collaring- continue reading –
A female white rhino was recently found with a large wound on her rump. The cause of the injury was unknown and veterinary intervention was required to ensure that it was not a result of human-wildlife conflict (e.g. a gunshot wound). Dr Chris Smith and Jana Meyer of Hope for Helicopter Wildlife Services were first- continue reading –
After the first Wildlife Conservation Act in India was drafted in 1972 a three-day International Conference was held by the Madhya Pradesh government to address issues around wildlife population management and human wildlife conflict. With increasing anthropogenic pressures, it was felt that there was an urgent need to think of new policies, approaches and laws to protect biodiversitythroughout- continue reading –
A large group of elephants escaped from a provincial reserve in Mpumalanga recently. As the elephants were getting close to communities, action was required to chase them back into the reserve. Aspinall Foundation provided helicopter time and African Wildlife Vets, Dr Chris Smith was called to dart 2 elephants to ensure their collars were still- continue reading –
While we deal with snaring incidents all year, we see an influx in the months leading up to the festive season. This elephant calf was found with a cable snare cutting into its neck. Dr Joel Alves successfully darted him, removed the snare and treated the wounds.
At the end of August, African Wildlife Vets founder, Dr Dave Cooper retired from his position as Chief Veterinarian at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Dave dedicated 27 years of his life to this role and the contribution he has made to the conservation of wildlife species and biodiversity is invaluable. Dave’s career as a wildlife veterinarian- continue reading –
