WildeCaptureVet, SOUTH AFRICA

Embark on an unforgettable journey where adventure, learning, and conservation converge in a life-changing experience. 

Led by a highly experienced wildlife and domestic veterinarian with over 25 years in the field and game capture team, this immersive program offers you the rare opportunity to step into the world of professional wildlife management.

Learn expert darting techniques, handle specialized dart guns, and contribute directly to frontline conservation efforts, including rhino dehorning, DNA sampling, notching, and both individual and mass game captures. 

Each day brings new excitement—from thrilling game drives and guided bush walks to expert-led lectures on veterinary medicine, ethical game capture, helicopter safety, and the adrenaline-filled challenge of aerial darting.

 Beyond the hands-on work, unwind in comfortable safari-style tented accommodations with full-board meals, all set against a breathtaking landscape where wildlife roams freely. 

More than just observation, this is a chance to live the experience, gain invaluable skills, and make a real impact on the future of Africa’s wildlife.​

1. Staffing and Supervision

• Lead Veterinarian: A senior wildlife and domestic animal veterinarian with over 25 years of field experience, responsible for clinical oversight, instruction, and student mentorship.
• Game Capture Manager: An experienced professional responsible for planning and overseeing wildlife capture operations. Works closely with the veterinarian to ensure procedures are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with ethical standards.
• Conservation Personnel: Game capture teams, helicopter pilots, and telemetry specialists who contribute to specific procedures and safety.
• Administrative and Logistical Support: On-site coordinators manage accommodation, transportation, catering, and day-to-day operations.

2. Clinical and Field Equipment

• A range of darting equipment, including:
  • CO₂- and gas-powered dart rifles and pistols
  • Helicopter-compatible darting systems
• Immobilization and tranquilization agents, handled and administered under strict veterinary supervision
• Telemetry devices and collars for animal tracking
• Field diagnostic kits for basic health assessments
• Capture and restraint equipment: nets, crates, stretchers, and transport trailers
• Veterinary surgical instruments for field procedures and necropsies
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety gear for all field participants

3. Facilities and Infrastructure

• Mobile veterinary units equipped for field response and treatment
• Designated wildlife holding areas for recovery and post-procedure monitoring
• Lecture and debriefing areas within the camp, equipped with audiovisual resources
• Student accommodation in secure, safari-style tented camps with full-board services and access to hygiene facilities
• Field transport vehicles, including vehicles for game drives and procedure logistics

4. Educational Materials and Learning Environment

• Daily lectures and briefings led by veterinary and conservation professionals
• Structured curriculum covering wildlife health, field anesthesia, species-specific care, and ethical conservation practices
• Reading materials and reference guides, including case studies and wildlife management protocols
• Hands-on participation in all aspects of clinical work, with opportunities for supervised skill development
• Post-activity debriefs to reinforce learning objectives and reflect on ethical considerations

WildeCaptureVet is a 7 day course that includes working with the wildlife vet and game capture team each day. Learn techniques of individual capture, mass capture, and net gunning, as well as the species specific needs of anaesthetics, darting, transport and housing.