Maun, Botswana

Destination	Maun, Botswana
Suitability	Gap year applicants Adventurers Veterinary students and new graduates
Dates	30th July - 14th August 2008
Number of places	8
Cost (per person)	£2,000 (excluding flights)

What This Trip Offers

This trip offers participants a unique and unforgettable experience travelling to the Okavango Delta. Not only will the opportunity present for volunteers to gain invaluable surgical experience but also to help Maun Animal Welfare Society (MAWS) whilst visiting the largest freshwater wetland in Africa.

In Botswana's arid and unforgiving bush, the Delta is an oasis where you will find one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Few places on Earth elicit such awe. A pure river bursts out of wild highlands and meanders through African wilderness until it is channelled by shuddering tectonic plates. Finally, it spills out onto the sands of the Kalahari, where it forms an intricate web of thriving life. Volunteers will not only enjoy a unique safari experience but, for vet students, this week can also be used as EMS small animal experience.

VetAdventure teams will consist of 4 students, 2 new graduates and 2 non-vets. Experienced WVS vets and WVS qualified Vet Nurses will accompany the team. Comfortable accommodation and food will be provided throughout the trip, a safari into the Delta and all transportation will also be organised for you.

The veterinary students chosen to participate on this trip will have the opportunity to perform blood sampling, basic stitch ups and will have a minimum of 2 hours one-to-one surgical experience per day performing neutering procedures, more if deemed appropriate by the veterinary team leader. This will allow you to become more confident with basic surgical procedures and develop clinical skills which will last a lifetime.

Volunteers should be aware that facilities will be basic compared to UK small animal hospitals and adaptation or improvisation may be necessary.

General Information

MAWS are a small group of compassionate volunteers who came together to help the local animal population in Maun, Botswana.

The main objectives of the society are to:

Promote kindness and prevent or suppress cruelty to animals.
Do all such lawful acts as the Society may consider necessary or conducive to the attainment of these objectives.
Develop the welfare of animals in Botswana and, in particular, those of the poor.
Provide sanctuary for lost or stray animals.
Raise funds to attain these goals.
Educate the public in the general welfare of animals.
Do all such acts as may be expedient or necessary to further the interests of the Society and the objectives for which it is formed.
Sterilise female cats and dogs.
Euthanize badly injured animals.

The project will focus on sterilisation of dogs and some cats, volunteers may be asked to treat other conditions depending on what arises. Dogs will be collected from various areas by MAWS volunteers. No animals are operated on without permission, most are notionally owned but free-roaming.

MAWS have built a dedicated operating room in the grounds of Chairwoman Mervyn Palmer’s home. Outside of Maun surgery may be carried out in the field under very basic conditions. You will be required to work as aseptically as possible given the conditions. This may be challenging.

Surgery will be carried out under injectable anaesthesia, this will probably be Domitor + Ketamine + Diazepam +/- Thiopentone but may vary depending on what is available. All animals receive antibiotics and pain relief and are treated for internal and external parasites. Please see the Veterinary Protocols section of the WVS website for guidelines.

MAWS are currently concentrating their attention predominantly on sterilising bitches, many of which are pregnant. It is possible that in some situations when there is absolutely no option, WVS vets may be asked to euthanize puppies. The current methods of destroying unwanted puppies in Maun are generally inhumane, for example, puppies are often placed in the road to be run over by passing vehicles. VetAdventure volunteers must be prepared to understand and support these decisions.

The majority of dogs are affected by Ehrlichia and as a result will bleed more than usual. Many also have fly wounds, particularly on the ears, which may be infected. Cases of TVT are also seen, these are treated with Vincristine if possible, and one case of suspected distemper was observed on a previous WVS visit.

Volunteers will be expected to work hard, days will usually be around 8 hours in length (including breaks) but may be longer or shorter. There will be days off, although some of these may be spent travelling, and there will be plenty of opportunities to see the area. The MAWS team are very keen for our teams to continue visiting and go to great lengths to ensure that volunteers have some leisure time and the chance to visit the amazing Okavango Delta with its abundant wildlife. This will be an unforgettable experience and comes highly recommended. You can read reports from previous trips on the WVS website.

Cost

The cost of this week is £2000 per applicant. This excludes the costs of flights or insurance but includes all accommodation and most food. Volunteers will be met on arrival by a WVS representative. You will be responsible for transport to and from the airport in the UK.

Applicants will be required to pay a £500 non-refundable deposit at the time of booking.

Flights

Flights will be from London Gatwick to Maun via Johannesburg airport. You can either make your own arrangements or the VetAdventure Team will handle organisation and booking along with those of the WVS team. The costs of the flight will vary depending on the time of year and how far in advance of the trip, please provide a colour copy of your passport along with your completed application form. This information will be used to book flights only and will not be retained or passed to third parties.

Insurance

We recommend that you book travel insurance prior to your trip with VetAdventure. Please specify that you will be working with animals as this may be a limiting factor with certain insurance companies. VetAdventure frequently use Go Walkabout Insurance (www.go-walkabout.co.uk). Volunteers will need to contact the company directly to clarify that veterinary work will be involved in the trip.

Health

Please check with your local doctor or travel clinic for details of which vaccinations are required for travel in this area . More information can be found at www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel, just click on the "Country Guide". You may need to allow several weeks before travel in order for immunisations to be effective so don't leave this to the last minute.

How to Apply

Booking Form. Please e-mail the office directly with a brief description of the project you are interested in and we will send you an appropriate booking form. bookings@vetadventure.com