April 28, 2019

We’re excited to share that in April this year we held our first event at the University of Cape Town (UCT). This event served both as an introduction of the Southern Africa Wildlife Disease Association Student Chapter (SAWDASC) to UCT and also as a lecture evening.

Although UCT does not have a vet school, there was a strong turnout of interested students from a range of different fields including the Department
of Biological Sciences, the Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences and also from the University’s Zoology and Botany Club.

The evening started with a brief introduction of the WDA and the SAWDASC, and then we jumped straight into the lecture presentations. We were lucky enough to have three wildlife researchers present their work. First we had Friederike Pohlin, who is currently enrolled in a PhD in Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria, present on physiological responses of black and white rhinoceroses to capture and transport. Then, Margaret Nolan, who just completed her PhD in Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria presented on elephant population management in South Africa using immunocontraception. Finally, Marion Leiberich, who also just completed her PhD in Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria presented her research on assessing the value of enrofloxacin (an anti-microbial drug) and carprofen (an anti-inflammatory drug) combination treatment in Southern white rhinoceros through the use of pharmacokinetic modelling. After each presentation there was time for questions. We were very pleased with the enthusiasm and interest shown by the students through the questions they came up with and through their active engagement with the content of the presentations.

It was a very successful evening and we’d like to thank our presenters for making it possible. We’re hoping to organize another lecture evening at UCT in the second half of the year.

June 26, 2018

Guest researcher Nikolaus Huber from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna is holding a talik on Leucocyte Coping Capacity as a functional proxy of stress in mammals and birds.

Please diarise the 27th of June at 13:00-14:00.

This lecture will be part of the Wildlife Discussion Forum meeting at the Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Onderstepoort of the University of Pretoria.

May 22, 2018

The San Diego Zoo and the faculty of Veterinary science, University of Pretoria, will host a meeting to explore research into the conservation and reproduction of Rhinoceros.

The goal of this meeting is to share information, establish working partnerships and outline scientific objectives, methods and timelines for joint projects, which will advance scientific knowledge and enhance rhinoceros conservation efforts.

Please fill in the RSVP and email to secure your spot. Deadline for submission will be the 30th of April as additional arrangements need to be made to accommodate everyone.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGLXyaebiGPsmYVa-2IEoZAHvQ0HD6MNbWU-VXlhJBU5BPzg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Please note this event is limited to the undergraduate and post graduate students of the Faculty of Veterinary science, University of Pretoria.

May 02, 2018

The Wildlife Group of the SAVA YM is organizing a Pangolin talk by:
*Prof Ray Jansen
*Dr Karin Lourens
*Dr Christine Steyn
*Nicci Wright

Please fill in the google form to secure your spot
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnk_m2IubMaes5rsYSRTPPjTtARF7kulCu0GnNX2n6XbIx-w/viewform?usp=sf_link

All are welcome. There will be snacks :)

November 21, 2017

A collaborative event bringing together stakeholders in One Health in South Africa in celebration of International One Health Day. The event will be marked by scientific presentations highlighting One Health issues in the country and how collaboration between academic scientists, human and animal health and industry can solve these problems. The symposium intends to address the impact on humans including health and social issues, animal welfare and food security, and environmental issues and trade for the country, and investigate possible control options.

Four zoonotic disease problems of current relevance in South Africa that can be addressed through closer collaboration have been selected:
1. Avian Influenza
2. Brucellosis and Bovine TB
3. Rabies
4. Vector-borne diseases: mosquito borne diseases (Rift Valley Fever; West Nile virus); tick-borne diseases (CCHF; Rickettsia)

Speakers from Academia, government and industry have been invited to give presentations on their research, policies and control options.

Organizing Committee (for the National One Health Forum): Paidamwoyo Mutowembwa (ARC-OVR), Wanda Markotter (UP), Marietjie Venter (UP), Jacqueline Weyer (NICD), Misheck Mulumba (ARC-OVR), Delille Wessels (ARC-OVR) and Claude Sabeta (ARC-OVR).

Date: Tuesday, 21 November 2017

Venue: Agricultural Research Council - Onderstepoort Veterinary Research.

Format: Invited speakers from Universities, Government (DAFF/DOH/DEA and Provinces) and showcase section for governmental departments, industry and student-led one health projects.

Attendance: Free

April 25, 2017

Dear colleagues,

This month's Twitter conference is scheduled for April 25th 2017 as from 1400-1600hrs EAT) and the discussion is entitled, "Antibiotic resistance in animals and human beings - from awareness to action." 

The guest speaker will be Prof Samuel Kariuki, Chief Research Scientist and Director, Centre for Microbiology Research at the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

Remember to join and engage in the discussion on Twitter using the hashtags #AnimalsMatter and #ChangeForChicken and follow @MoveTheWorldAF for updates. 

Please refer to the attached Poster for details.  

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