Ensuring better health and proper care for cheetahs in captivity

Posted on July 11, 2017

Dr Adrian Tordiffe, from the Department of Paraclinical Sciences at UP, has been intrigued by diseases in captive cheetahs since his days working as a clinical veterinarian at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa.

With the wild ones – a reflection of science and passion

Posted on June 19, 2017

It might sound strange at first to hear of a professor in human oral pathology who researches animals, but Prof Erich Raubenheimer has spent over a quarter of a century studying the great African Elephant.

Minimally invasive methods make surgery safer for Africa's big cats

Posted on June 02, 2017

Prof Marthinus Hartman's breakthrough in the field of veterinary surgery was inspired by procedures carried out on humans when he became the first veterinary surgeon in South Africa to perform laparoscopic sterilisation on lions.

Understanding the intricacies of rhino immobilisation

Posted on May 30, 2017

Rhinos' response to anaesthesia has proved to have complications, but Prof Leith Meyer from the Faculty of Veterinary Science at UP is constantly working to better understand how these iconic animals respond to immobilisation.

Electric fences and small animals - a deadly combination

Posted on May 15, 2017

Electric fencing, although economical and effective, often result in the electrocution of non-target species. Among them are tortoises, and they are rapidly moving up on the Cites list of endangered animals.

Lethal dehydration - a ticking clock for desert birds

Posted on May 08, 2017

Prof Andrew McKechnie is part of an international study looking at the effects of climate change on birds, particularly those living in deserts. Their findings reveal that these birds are going to be under great strain in the future.

Death is temporary - the resurrection of the naked mole rat

Posted on April 24, 2017

Prof Nigel Bennett and Dr Heike Lutermann, of the University of Pretoria's Department of Zoology and Entomology, are involved in an exciting study on the naked mole rat that has been featured in Science.

Conference provides impetus for faculty's wildlife drive

Posted on April 05, 2017

The recent wildlife conference, jointly presented by the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria (UP) and the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) Wildlife Group was an early highlight on the Faculty's calendar for 2017 and brought together a wide range of expertise in...