Course Content & Structure
The Malilangwe Course in Chemical and Physical Restraint of African Wildlife is organized by the Wild Capture Africa Trust and hosted on the Malilangwe Wildlife Estate, Zimbabwe in February each year.
The intensive ten-day program includes a combination of theory lectures and hands-on field-based practical instruction by some of the most experienced wildlife veterinarians in Africa.
Lecture Topics
The comprehensive theory component - delivered in lecture format, supported by a comprehensive course manual -covers important aspects for safe and effective chemical and physical restraint of wildlife.
Lecture topics include:
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Legal and ethical considerations
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Revision of basic applied physiology
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Revision of basic pharmacology
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Specific pharmacology of immobilizing drugs
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Principles of physical & chemical & physical restraint
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Physiological monitoring and emergency procedures
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Handling of immobilizing drugs - safety & first aid
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Species requirements with regards drugs, handling, and monitoring
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Stress & capture related injury & mortality
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Basic weapon handling
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Ballistics and darting systems
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Overview of physical capture methods
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Controlled animal diseases
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Post mortem investigation
Field practicals
Hosted on Malilangwe Wildlife Estate, the Course provides unique opportunity for hands-on field-based practical experience in capturing and handling of free-ranging wildlife.
To maximize the learning experience students are divided into teams of between 8 and 10 for a personalized learning experience under the guidance of 2 expert lecturers and an experienced team captain in each team.
Under the practical component, student teams are tasked with guided, hands-on immobilization of a number of "plains-game" animals (usually buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, sable, etc.). In addition, each team is responsible for demonstrating the immobilization of one "key species" - including Giraffe, Black and White Rhino, Elephant, and Lion.
Equipment & dart gun handling
Students are given extensive one-on-one instruction in the safe and competent handling and use of dart-guns and capture equipment.
Teams also engage in a competition to dart a moving target from the helicopter.
Online Course (coming soon)
An online version of the Course is currently under development and is intended primarily for purposes of updating and refreshing previous course attendees with the latest information, techniques and innovations to emerge from the conservation industry.
Subject to approval by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), it is intended that the online version will satisfy the statutory requirement for 5-yearly refresher for the purposes of Dangerous Drugs Licensing in Zimbabwe
Examinations & Accreditation
The Final Examination is structured as follows:
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Written Paper 1: General written paper – 120 marks; 120 minutes
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Written Paper 2: Safety and Regulatory - 60 marks; 30 minutes
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3 x 15-minute orals –
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Panel A = Physiology, Pharmacology and Theory (20 marks);
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Panel B = equipment and practical questions (20 marks)
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Panel C = dart loading practical (10 marks).
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For candidates to pass and to be accredited as being competent in the safe and legal possession and administration of Dangerous Drugs the candidate must:
- achieve a sub-minimum of 65% in Written Paper 2 (Safety & Regulatory)
- achieve an overall pass-mark determined by the Norm-Referenced Standard Method (pass mark = class average minus one standard deviation).
Dangerous Drugs Licensing (Zimbabwe ONLY)
The Course is accredited by the Zimbabwe Veterinary Association Wildlife Group (ZVA-WG) on behalf of the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) for the training of persons for the purposes of Dangerous Drugs Licensing (DDL) as required by the Dangerous Drugs Act in Zimbabwe. Nevertheless, applicants remain fully responsible for their application to the ZVA-WG to acquire and / or renew a DDL in Zimbabwe.
Continuous Professional Development
The Course is approved for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points by the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC - 40 structured points) and the Council of Veterinary Surgeons of Zimbabwe (CVSZ – 10 CPD points).
The Course is NOT accredited for the purposes of CPD by any other National Veterinary Authority beyond whatever reciprocal arrangements may be in place between SAVC and / or CVSZ and any 3rd party country.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Notwithstanding the fact that the Course is accredited by the Zimbabwe Veterinary Association Wildlife Group (ZVA WG) and Medicine Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) for the purposes of training of Dangerous Drugs License (DDL) applicants in Zimbabwe, and Notwithstanding the fact that the Course is accredited for the purpose of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of Veterinarians by the Council of Veterinary Surgeons of Zimbabwe (CVSZ) and the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
Attendance of the Course does NOT, in and of itself, entitle or permit any person to acquire, possess or administer any scheduled medicine in Zimbabwe or any other country.
Recognized by
