Veterinary Management of
African Wildlife
Conference
Presented by the Faculty of Veterinary Science and the
South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) Wildlife Group
Faculty of
Veterinary Science
22 - 25 February 2017,
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Pretoria
Main Sponsor
TUESDAY 21 FEBRUARY
PRE CONGRESS WORKSHOPS
Critical monitoring during chemical
immobilisation
Carnivore immobilisation
The Forensic necropsy
Ear notching and DNA
Earn
24+
CPD
points!
Luther
16:00 Assisted reproduction technologies, biobanking and the oneplan-approach to species conservation: rhinos and elephant as
examples Dr Imke Lüders
16:20 Factors influencing horn growth and consequences of dehorning
game-ranched white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) Dr
Cyriel Ververs
17:00Drinks
18:00 Wine pairing and Quiz (Included for registered delegates)
WEDNESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY
THURSDAY 23RD FEBRUARY
07:30Registration
08:30 Welcome by dean FVS Prof Darrell Abernethy
08:45 Welcome by SAVA president Dr Johan Marais
09:00 Welcome and introduction by SAVA WG chairman
Dr Greg Simpson
RHINO AND ELEPHANT CONSERVATION MEDICINE THEME
09:15 “Medicine” required to save Africa’s rhinos
Keynote Speaker: Dr Michael Knight
10:00Tea
10:40 Overview of Diseases of African Rhinoceros
Prof Michele Miller
11:20 Mycobacterium bovis infection in a free-ranging black rhinoceros – application of tools to facilitate rapid diagnosis Prof Michele
Miller
11:40 Exploring the susceptibility of white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium
simum) to bovine tuberculosis Prof Anita Michel
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Immune responses to mycobacterium bovis in white rhinoceros
and their use in diagnosis of infection Dr Sven Parsons
13:20 A new pulse oximetry sensor design for the use in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) Ms Julia Reiners
13:40 Plasma biochemsitry reference intervals on two analysers for the
white rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum Dr Emma Hooijberg
14:00 Comparing haematological and biochemical parameters of
non-injured and criticallly injured immobilised white rhinoceroses
(Ceratotherium simum simum) Dr JP du Preez
14:20 Pneumocystis pneumonia in a white rhino orphan
Dr Nicolize O’Dell
14:40 Tea
15:20 Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous and oral
enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in white rhinoceros – a possible
treatment option for injured poaching victims? Dr Marion Leiberich
15:40 The characterisation of semen collected, by means of electro-ejaculation, from free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta
africana) and Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum
simum) using computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA). Mrs Ilse
8:00 Registration
8:30 What is special about black rhinos? Dr Dave Cooper
9:20 The rogue wild elephant Immobilization and release in Bandipur
National Park, Karnataka, India.
Dr Prayag H.S
9:40Tea
10:20 Rhino orphans- lessons learnt
Dr Albertus Coetzee & Dr Ferreira du Plessis
10:40 Health evaluation of a hand Raised orphaned elephant calf in captivity in Rajaji Tiger Reserve, India
Dr Aditi Sharma
PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE THEME
11:20 Protected areas and people: where have all the elephant and
rhino gone, and more important why?
Keynote Speaker: Dr Michael Kock
12:00Lunch
13:00 Rhino dehorning as an effective anti poaching tool Dr Jacques
O’Dell
13:30 Impacts of climate change, anthropogenic pressure on Loxodonta
africana and adaptation strategies for empowering conservation
strategies in Kefta Sheraro national park, Tigray, Ethiopia
Dr Mengistu Tilahun
14:00 The prevalence of tuberculosis in domesticated African Elephant
(Loxodonta africana) and their handlers in the Victoria Falls and
Livingstone area Dr Tapiwanashe George Hanyire
14:20 Detection of zoonotic arboviruses in wildlife in South Africa Prof
Marietjie Venter
14:50 Assessment of public knowledge, attitude and practice towards
rabies in Debark Woreda, North Gondar, Ethiopia
Dr Tilahun Bekele
15:10 Tea
15:50 Experiences at field laboratory for wildlife disease in Zimbabwe
Dr Chris Foggin
16:30 How to move 500 elephants Dr Andre Uys
Open debate
17:10Drinks
Premium Sponsor
FRIDAY 24TH FEBRUARY
SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARY
08:00Registration
WILDLIFE DISEASES THEME
08:00 Registration/Coffee and Tea @ Exhibitors
APPLIED CLINICAL PRACTICE
08:30 The rhino in the room
Keynote Speaker: Dr Johan Marais
09:10 Physiological and immunological effects of capture and confinement in lions Dr Danny Govender
09:30 Suspected copper deficiency associated myocardial degeneration
Falling Disease in an adult roan antelope bull. Dr Rick Last
09:50 Widllife fermentation vats Prof Tony Shakespeare
10:30Tea
11:10 Using heart rate variability in wildlife research to assess stress
Dr Friederike Pohlin
11:30 Capture induced hyperthermia in cheetahs Dr Adrian Tordiffe
11:50 Endocrine monitoring of reproduction and stress in wildlife
Prof Andre Ganswindt
12:20 Cardiopulmonary effects of anaesthesia maintained by propofol
infusion versus isoflurane inhalation in cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Dr Roxanne Buck
12:40 Lunch CLOSED SESSION - VETS AND PARAVETS ONLY
13:40 Evaluation of two different doses of butorphanol- medetomidine -midazolam for anaethesia in free-ranging versus captive
black-footed cats (felis nigripes) Dr Birgit Eggers
14:00 Thiafentanil-medetomidine is no faster at imobilising impala
(Aepyceros melampus) compared to etorphine-medetomidine: a
look into impala immobilisation Dr Gareth Zeiler
14:20 Evaluation of a partially reversible immobilization protocol using
Medetomidine, Butorphanol, Zolazepam-Tiletamine, and Ketamine in free-ranging warthogs (Phacochoeus africanus) in Kruger
National Park. Dr Jenny Hewlett
14:40 Current antelope drug combinations as used by practising wildlife
veterinarians in South Africa Dr Douw Grobler
15:10Tea
15:50 The cardiovascular effects of azaperone and butorphanol in etorphine immobilised white rhinos (Ceraotherium simum) Dr Peter
Buss
16:10 Butorphanol in etorphine immobilised white rhinos improves
arterial blood gases through reducing oxygen consumption?
Dr Peter Buss
16:30 Hypoxia during immobilization, not a simple cause
Dr Leith Meyer
08:30 Can we call them Wildlife Diseases anymore?
Keynote Speaker: Dr William Karesh
09:10 A goat pox virus outbreak in non-domestic hoofstock at Al Wabra
wildlife preservation (AWWP), QATAR
Dr Francois le Grange
09:30 Pox virus investigation at the National Zoological Gardens of SA
Mr Almero Oosthuizen
09:50 Moelcular diagnostics and epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in
wildlife Dr Essa Suleman
10:10 African wild dog canine distemper outbreak in a national park and
subsequent vaccination campaign and health survey Dr Louis van
Schalkwyk
10:30Tea
11:10 The diagnostic sensitivity of selected tests for M. bovis infection in
African buffaloes Dr Sven Parsons
11:40 The measurement of IP-10 release in the Bovigam PC-EC and
PC-HP assays for the optimal diagnosis of Bovine tuberculosis in
African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer).
Dr Wynand Goosen
12:00 Use of novel tools for the detection of BTB in warthogs
Dr Eduard Roos
12:20 Veterinary biosafety management of wildlife utilisation during
anthrax outbreaks in free-ranging wild animals in nature reserves
in the west of the Greater Kruger National Park area Dr Bjorn
Reininghaus
12:40 The high incidence of wild cheetah mortality during immobilisation Mr Vincent van der Merwe
13:00Lunch
14:00 Prevalence of ocular pathology in two groups of adult captive
cheetahs Dr Christie Boucher
14:20 The quick and the dead: pathogenesis of kidney disease in captive
cheethas (Acinonyx jubatus) Dr Emily Mitchell
14:50 Nutritional deficiencies in captive Caracal caracal (Caracal) and
Leptailurus serval (Serval) kittens Dr Dorian Elliot
15:10 (Dis)temper tantrums: Investgating host susceptibility to canine
distemper virus Dr Angelika Loots
15:30 Suspected hypokalemic polymyopathy in two white lion cubs
(Panthera leo kruger) Dr Ellie Milnes
15:50Tea
16:30 Monitoring adrenal cortical function as a measure of stress in blue
wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) Dr Adél de Haast
16:50 Suspected copper deficiency associated myocardial degeneration
Falling Disease in an adult roan antelope bull. Dr Rick Last
17:10 Haemorrhagic septicaemia-like syndrome in a Cape buffalo
(Syncerus caffer) and a black impala (Aepyceros melampus), both
culture negative for Pasteurella multocida but positive for
Moraxella sp with Salmonella spp co-infections Dr June Williams
17:30 SAVA WG AGM
19:30 Drinks (Free evening)
17:10Drinks
18:00 Gala dinner and talk
Climate change and the fate of long lived mammals
Prof Duncan Mitchell
PRE AND POST CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
21 February and 26 February. Please see website for information
www.vets4wildlife.co.za or www.vetlink.co.za
Premium Sponsor
REGISTRATION FEES
CONGRESS FEES South African Scientist and vets
SAVA Wildlife Group
Day Fee
International
Students (Veterinary)
All prices exclude VAT at 14%
Gala dinner: Cheese and wine: (included for congress delegates)
R5 100
R4100
R1800
$480
R400
WORKSHOP FEES
PRE CONGRESS
Critical monitoring during chemical immobilisation
R2 500
Carnivore immobilisationR2 000
The Forensic necropsy
R1 500
Ear notching and DNA R3 500
R250 pp
R180pp
POST CONGRESS: Cheetah Tracking R3 000
REGISTER NOW:www.vetlink.co.za/www.vets4wildlife.co.za.
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Tuesday 21 February 2017
Critical monitoring during
chemical immobilisation
Prof Leith Meyer
R2 500 pp
Length: full day
Meals: Lunch provided
Group size: 15 – 20 persons
This workshop will cover key aspects related to
critical monitoring of chemically immobilised
wildlife and will include a morning of presentations and discussions, followed by a wet lab in
the field in the afternoon.
The workshop will cover basic monitoring that
is required for short immobilisations to more in
depth monitoring that is required for prolonged
procedures and compromised animals. The
workshop will look at various skills and devices
used to monitor animals. Practical aspects related to how monitoring devices can be used, and
how the information they measure can be applied to improve welfare during immobilisation,
will be discussed. Various monitoring modalities like pulse oximetery, capnography, blood
pressure, blood gases and acid bases will be
covered in the presentations and discussions.
The pros and cons of the various devices used
will also be discussed. Wild antelope will then
be immobilised in the field and the delegates
will get the opportunity to apply the knowledge
gained, and the devices discussed, to assess the
animal’s welfare.
• Capture techniques for wild carnivores –
including leopard, cheetahs, lions, wild dogs
and hyenas
• Immobilisation of captive and free-ranging
wild carnivores – use of various darting systems and drug combinations
• Options for the maintenance of anaesthesia
• Monitoring of anaesthesia
• Common immobilisation and anaesthetic
complications
• Analgesic options
• Hand rearing formulas
• Nutritional diseases of young carnivores
• The use of nutritional supplements
• Dietary recommendations for long-term
health
The forensic necropsy
Dr Johan Steyl
R1 500 pp
Venue: Onderstepoort
Lenght: 08:30 – 13:00 (Halfday)
The basic forensic principles applied to a
necropsy on a wild animal is discussed during a
physical demonstration. Aspects to be covered
are:
•
•
•
•
Necropsy technique
Sampling technique and submission
procedure
Diagnostic principles
Data capturing and record keeping
Limited space: BOOK NOW
About the course leader: Leith Meyer is a
research veterinarian with a special interest in
pharmacological and physiological aspects
related to chemical immobilisation and capture
of wildlife. He is an Associate Professor in Pharmacology at the Faculty of Veterinary Science,
University of Pretoria. He has over 50 peer-reviewed scientific publications, many of these
related to chemical immobilisation and capture.
His primary research interest is in understanding the pathophysiological effects of capture
and immobilisation in order to develop novel
treatments and approaches to improve animal
welfare during capture procedures.
Carnivore immobilisation,
anaesthesia and nutrition
Dr Adrian Tordiffe
R2 000pp
Venue: Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary (30
min drive from Pretoria) – tbc
Practical demonstration: Immobilisation and
anaesthesia of two carnivores (lion and hyena)
Lectures covering the following topics:
Ear notching and DNA
collection of white rhino
Dr Jacques O’Dell
R3 500pp
Venue: Dinokeng
Length: full day
Meals: Lunch provided
Group size: 10 – 20 persons
Join us for a field trip to ear notch and collect
DNA samples from white rhinos on a Big-5
game reserve. This will take place as part of the
game reserve’s rhino management plan. Rhinos
are ear notched in order for game rangers to
identify individual rhino. DNA samples collected
from the rhino are submitted to the Veterinary
Genetics Laboratory where the unique DNA
profile of each rhino forms part of RhODIS®.
This DNA indexing system allows trace back
of poached rhino and their horns to a specific
reserve. This assists with forensic investigations
and prosecution of poachers and syndicates.
As part of the field trip delegates will get an
opportunity to; see how rhino are darted and
immobilized using a helicopter; learn about
the common drug protocols for immobilizing
free-ranging rhino and the supportive drugs
we use to combat the side-effects of these
immobilizing drugs; get hands on experience in
collecting DNA samples and ear notching rhino; discuss issues surrounding rhino poaching
and the conservation of rhino.
About the course leader: Jacques O’Dell is a
specialist wildlife veterinarian working at the Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty
of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.
He has a keen interest in wildlife conservation,
wildlife diseases and sustainable wildlife utilization. Rhino conservation is topic close to his
heart. He has spent much of his time looking
at dehorning as a viable option to protect rhino
against poaching.
Limited space: BOOK NOW
POST-CONFERENCE
WORKSHOPS
Sunday 26 February 2017
Cheetah tracking on foot
Course leader: DGR game ranger
R3 000 pp
Venue: Dinokeng
Length: ½ day
Meals: Lunch provided
Group size: max 3 persons
Limited space: BOOK NOW
Join an experienced game ranger to track a
wild free-ranging cheetah on foot within a Big-5
game reserve. Several of the cheetahs within
this reserve are collared with GPS/VHF collars.
Collars are used for research and management
purposes. See if you can find a cheetah’s recent
location via the satellite/GPS. Then head out
to the field to locate the cheetah with VHF/
telemetry.
Contact Enquiries
Scientific programme:
Dr G Simpson (gjgsimpson@gmail.
com) or
Dr J O’Dell ([email protected])
REGISTER NOW: www.vetlink.co.za
Conference Coordinator