Early in 2008 the Veterinary Committee of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP) requested the Faculty of Veterinary Science to design and present a course that could be used to train field veterinarians and conservation staff that work in the GLTP to approach wildlife disease investigation in a structured and scientific manner. The Department of Paraclinical Sciences, in consultation with the National Zoological Gardens and the South African National Parks, designed and curriculated the course leading to its first presentation in March/April 2009.

The course was attended by eighteen veterinary delegates from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Apart from PCS staff who presented the bulk of the theoretical and practical work, another six guest speakers, including colleagues in the fields of human infectious diseases and sociology, presented talks.

Emphasis was placed on the integration of theory as applicable to the human-domestic animal-wildlife interface in the conservation areas. Topics as diverse as zoonotic diseases, viral- and bacterial animal diseases, wildlife intoxications, environmental pollution affecting fish and crocodiles, forensic pathology and capture related medical conditions were presented.

Practical training included necropsy techniques for wild ungulates, fish, crocodiles and birds as well as a teaching microscope session demonstrating blood borne infectious diseases.

Course administration was managed by CE at UP and included a course pack with notes, a compact disc on infectious wildlife diseases, a compact disc with all the PowerPoint presentation given during the course and a certificate of attendance.

Although this first course was aimed at wildlife veterinarians working in the GLTP it is envisaged that the course will be registered with the SAVC for continuing professional development purposes and presented to private practitioners in future.

Judging from the positive feedback from delegates the course can be seen considered a big success.