This global engagement opportunity provided the student with structured, hands-on exposure to wildlife veterinary medicine within a real-world conservation and conflict-management context in India. Under the supervision of qualified wildlife veterinarians and rehabilitation professionals, the student participated in clinical assessments, treatment planning, triage support, post-operative care, and rehabilitation protocols across multiple wildlife species. The experience extended well beyond a conventional clinical externship by integrating veterinary decision-making with field realities such as human–wildlife conflict response, inter-agency coordination with the Forest Department, and ethical considerations in wildlife rescue and release.
In addition to the veterinary component, the programme offered deep cultural immersion. The student engaged directly with local communities, field teams, and government authorities, gaining insight into how ecological, social, and cultural factors influence wildlife management in a densely populated, biodiversity-rich region. Exposure to local languages, traditions, rural and urban interfaces, and community-based conservation challenges formed a core part of the learning experience. This integrated approach allowed the student to develop a global perspective on veterinary practice, conservation ethics, and cross-cultural collaboration that cannot be achieved through a standard clinical placement.
The host institution is a recognised wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organisation operating specialised Wildlife Transit Treatment Centres in collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department. The programme is supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising licensed wildlife veterinarians, trained wildlife rehabilitators, field rescue specialists, and administrative and data-management personnel. Visiting students are supervised directly by qualified veterinarians and senior rehabilitation staff to ensure structured learning, safety, and ethical standards of care.
The facilities are equipped with a fully functional wildlife veterinary hospital, including examination and treatment areas, diagnostic capabilities, minor procedure and surgery spaces, pharmacy and drug-management systems, quarantine and isolation units, and species-appropriate rehabilitation enclosures. The institution also maintains dedicated wildlife rescue vehicles equipped for emergency response, transport, and field interventions.
Educational resources include standard operating protocols, case documentation systems, species-specific treatment and rehabilitation guidelines, and exposure to state-level wildlife management frameworks. Students gain access to live case-based learning, interdisciplinary decision-making, and real-time field scenarios, ensuring an educational experience that extends beyond classroom-based or routine clinical training.
Students are expected to commit to a structured engagement schedule of approximately 6 to 8 hours per day, across five to six days per week, depending on clinical caseloads and field requirements. The programme includes a combination of supervised clinical observation and active participation, aligned with the student’s level of training and competency.
Under direct supervision of licensed wildlife veterinarians and senior rehabilitation staff, students may assist with clinical assessments, patient monitoring, treatment support, post-operative care, medical record keeping, and rehabilitation activities. Shadowing is emphasised during specialised procedures, field rescues, chemical immobilisation, and critical decision-making processes to ensure safety, compliance, and ethical standards.
Students are expected to adhere strictly to institutional protocols, professional conduct standards, biosafety guidelines, and confidentiality requirements. Active participation in daily rounds, case discussions, and multidisciplinary coordination meetings is required. Flexibility is expected, as wildlife emergencies and field operations may occasionally extend beyond routine working hours, providing additional learning opportunities.
S.No. 21, NDA Road
Pune 411007
Maharashtra
India