Our Rwandan-based vet Dr. David Murenzi shares his experience at Wildlife Safari. Supported by Conservation Nation’s People & Pachyderms Collective, this trip focused on broadening his experience and expanding their knowledge of wildlife health.
During Winter of 2024, I participated in an intensive training program at the Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon, where I was involved in a range of veterinary procedures and gained invaluable hands-on experience. Unlike traditional zoos, Wildlife Safari allows many animals to move across expansive landscapes, and even those in enclosures such as big cats and bears occupy spacious habitats that encourage natural behaviors. This environment closely resembles the field conditions in Akagera National Park, providing me with insights into the challenges of administering veterinary care that I might encounter there (such as the fight or flight response of different wildlife species).
During this training, I managed a wide range of diverse wildlife cases that significantly enhanced my veterinary skills. I assisted in treating injuries and diagnosing illnesses, such as helping a rhino recover from introduction-related injuries, diagnosing pneumonia in a Roosevelt elk, and conducting thorough physical exams on elephants. I also addressed dental and horn issues in other species, providing valuable hands-on experience in various areas of wildlife health. In addition to these diagnostic tasks, I participated in advanced procedures including anesthesia monitoring, necropsies, and emergency surgical interventions, which helped refine my expertise in immobilization, diagnostics, and critical care. This comprehensive training experience has thoroughly prepared me to confidently manage both routine and complex cases in wildlife veterinary medicine.
These diverse cases have greatly enriched my clinical skills in diagnostics, immobilization, anesthesia, sample collection, and disease management, while also providing valuable experience in trauma management, emergency care, surgical procedures, pathology, and necropsy. Collaborating with fellow veterinarians and mentoring students enhanced my ability to work effectively under high-stakes conditions, and I developed essential skills in intervention planning, risk assessment, team preparation with clear role distribution, and comprehensive organizational planning.
The training I received through this experience has been invaluable, allowing me to deepen my practical skills, expand my knowledge base, and contribute meaningfully to wildlife health and conservation efforts. From learning advanced diagnostic techniques to understanding disease dynamics at the wildlife-livestock-human interface, I now feel equipped to tackle the challenges that wildlife faces, whether it’s diagnosing diseases or guiding conservation initiatives. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to apply these experiences in Rwanda and in advancing wildlife medicine. This confidence has already shaped my future— I’m actively pursuing wildlife veterinary roles, knowing I can bring real expertise to the table.
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