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Day
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Activities
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Special Features
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GO
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1
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Arrive: Students arrive and are received at Johannesburg International Airport by Game Capture School staff. They will be transported to The Game Capture Wildlife Centre where a welcoming dinner at the bush camp awaits them.
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2
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Welcome to Africa! Warning: It is dangerously addictive. Your first day will be spent in the bush. You will be taken on game drives and game walks to experience this wonderful world.
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Practical: Game drives, walks and animal tracking.
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3
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Capture physiology and Applied Pharmacology | Calculations of drug dosages: Pharmacology is the study of the interaction between the living body, the chemicals we introduce into it and the changes in the body function that may result. Knowledge of the way in which drugs affect body function, which we deal with in a relatively superficial way, is essential to enable a proper understanding of the process of game capture.
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Practical: Actual darting / capturing of wild animals in field.
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4
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Managing the capture event (principals of darting): The pre-capture, capture and post-capture of wild animals will be discussed and demonstrated.
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Practical: Planning of capture, actual capture, handling, care and monitoring of captured animals.
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5
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Firearms training: Capture equipment: Several different dart systems and other equipment will be demonstrated. Drug handling and human first aid: Prevention and management of capture drug accidents will be discussed and demonstrated.
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Practical: Training in the handling and shooting of dart guns and the loading of darts.
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6
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Carnivores: The approach adopted in the immobilization of carnivores differs in several aspects from that used to immobilize herbivores. Capture methods, veterinary care, diseases and handling will be discussed and demonstrated.
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Practical: Hands-on sessions at the Wildlife Centre Hospital and a carnivore facility.
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7
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Reptiles: Snakes, crocodilians, chelonians, amphibians – all have a body temperature depending on the external environment. Their body temperature influences their metabolic rate and thus the pharmacokinetics of the drug used when capturing them.
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Practical: Tour of commercial crocodile farm, where you will get a chance to see these magnificent animals. You will also learn and see more about the artificial incubation, breeding and veterinary care.
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8
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Hand rearing and infant care of wild animals: Animal First Aid.
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Practical: Hands-on session at the WildlifeCentreHospital.
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9
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Care and management of African Elephant: (managing, handling, care and capture).
Evening: students receive their certificates at a bush graduation ceremony around the camp fire followed by a farewell dinner.
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Practical: Hands-on session at elephant sanctuary.
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10
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Visit the OnderstepoortVeterinaryHospital and University.
Depart.
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