A Rare Experience

Posted on Thu September 25, 2025.

Our Wild Animal Volunteers and interns recently had the unique opportunity to be part of an important wildlife management procedure - the darting and relocation of Cape Buffalo. While they did not witness the actual darting itself, they were welcomed into the process shortly afterwards, gaining hands-on insight into a vital aspect of animal care and conservation.

The buffalo had been sold and required safe transport to their new home. To ensure their welfare during this process, they were carefully immobilised by professionals and thoroughly monitored. This created an invaluable learning moment for our volunteers, who were invited to assist by observing and noting symptoms during recovery.

For many, the highlight was being able to touch these incredible animals up close, an experience few ever get to have. This rare opportunity allowed them to better understand the complexity of working with large, powerful wildlife and the critical role of veterinary and management practices in ensuring their safety.

Experiences like this remind us that conservation is not only about protecting species in the wild but also about responsible animal management. For our volunteers and interns, it was a chance to deepen their knowledge, gain practical skills, and walk away with memories they will carry for a lifetime.

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