Dear fellow WDA members and wildlife enthusiasts,

I am Janine, originally from Germany and qualified as a vet from Ghent University (Belgium) in 2014 with a great passion for conservation medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, management and reproduction… and for Africa! It became evident that I belonged to this side of the world and after participating in a range of wildlife related internships, courses and projects (and the SAVC board exam), I now work as veterinarian for Hemmersbach Rhino Force, while also completing my PhD about genetic rescue through semen collection and cryopreservation in rhinos and elephants.

After being actively involved with the SA WDA SC as vice president in 2019/2020, I am very excited and motivated to continue promoting the mission of the WDA by organizing workshops, field trips, lecture events and the (free) online journal club together with the Zoo and Wildlife Medicine study group!

Let’s grow and make a difference together!

Hi all,

I am a Zoology PhD student from the University of Pretoria. I am very enthusiastic when it comes to opportunities for learning. The WDA is one such opportunity and I am very eager to be a part of this amazing team and work with others! I am very passionate about getting people, especially postgraduate students (since many are international and away from family and support systems) connected and working towards a cause that leaves them with a warm, fuzzy feeling of accomplishment.

I am working on my PhD research on small mammals this year and I can safely say that they are much more than just adorable; they are also valuable members of our ecosystem and should get way more attention! Beyond my doctoral degree, I hope to become an educator and share my knowledge and passion for wildlife with my students.

Hi, my name is Sandra, I am originally from Germany and graduated as veterinarian in Austria in 2019, where I worked as a veterinarian in a small animal referral clinic. I am currently a PGDip candidate enrolled at the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

I have an immense interest in anaesthesia, critical care, wildlife medicine and conservation. Throughout my studies, I visited Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda) for various externships, such as domestic animals neuter programs, vaccinating campaigns, and one health projects. Furthermore, I got some experience with wildlife medicine and have an ever-growing interest in conservation. Through one of my externships I decided to move to South Africa, to be able to combine my interests on the long run.

I am super excited to be a part of the WDA student chapter. My intent is to assist the other members wherever I can with the organization of meetings, workshops and field trips. Furthermore, I hope I can help students with my experience in intern/externship and connections.

Hi, my name is Camilla and I’ve been an animal and nature enthusiast ever since I can remember. I moved to Canada with my family when I was young so I spent most of my school years there but I came back to South Africa to study after finishing high school. I have completed my undergrad degree in applied biology and genetics at the University of Cape Town and an honours degree in exercise science. I have just started a masters in environmental law at the University of Cape Town and am also very interested in the effects of climate change on habitat suitability for different species. I am very excited to be a part of the Southern African WDA Student Chapter and promote what it advocates for.

Hello, my name is Caton and I am a masters student at the University of Cape Town focusing on an aspect of wildlife management.  This is an area of conservation that I have been very passionate about since my second year of my BSc and hope to progress to a PhD in the field within the next year or so. 

I became aware of this wonderful organization when the UCT Biological Society, in conjunction with SAWDA, hosted a session of illuminating talks focused on wildlife disease.  After these presentations I began to do further reading into the subject and became progressively more interested in the topic despite not being a veterinary student.

I look forward to my time as part of this incredible team and to become more involved in this aspect of wildlife management in Southern Africa which is all new territory for me to explore!

Student Chapter Vice President 2017/2018 & President 2019/2020 will stay on the board as student board advisor.