Time flies!

Time flies when you're having fun! The fact that it's been quiet on this blog, does not mean that life as a wildlife vet has been boring. Although a human being even seems to get used to darting rhinos from a helicopter (quite insane, but true), in this job you must always be on your toes. Working with dangerous, free-roaming wild animals is never a routine and things always go different than expected. Therefore I don't even expect anything anymore. We prepare as good as we can, concentrate, start the job and see from there. The best way to practise in staying open minded, thinking positive and finding solutions!

It's been hectic since I started a new job at a private wildlife practise six months ago, because I am also continuing all wildlife vet work for my old boss. The winter months are the most busy for a wildlife vet in South Africa, because all actions with wildlife must take place in this colder period from March until October. In the heat of the summer it can be dangerous to immobilise wildlife, as they easily get over-heated. This means that we've darted, moved, collared, treated, de-horned and/or translocated hundreds of animals in the past 6 months...including giraffes, rhinos, buffalos, sable and roan antelopes, zebras, lions, elephants and many antelope species (sable, roan, kudu, impala, nyalas, waterbuck, eland etc). We've been called out for many exciting jobs, so again some interesting experiences to share. Hopefully some time in the coming summer (here it's getting hot now) to write them up for you. I first wanna share some more pics with you. The better you get to know wild animals, the more amazing they get. So much we can learn from all of them, each individual in their own unique way, if we're willing to be silent and 'listen'.