I have had so many wonderful experiences on this trip. The most amazing experience so far would be the care that Antelope Park staff have for their animals and and conservation efforts. I am not sure I have seen a group of individuals come together for so much care and love for something they are so passionate to teach and protect. I have had an amazing time here in Zimbabwe and am grateful for the opportunity and enlightenment this trip has taught me.
– Candace , SPC Zimbabwe Vet Tech Program, June 2022

Upon arriving to Zimbabwe, I was not sure what to expect. I had prepared for a dangerous area, food I may not like, and to be petting animals in the areas we were going to visit. My view changed drastically midway through the trip.
I was greeted by the most friendly people at every turn. At one location, we were greeted by people playing drums and dancing as a welcome. Not only that, but every meal was four courses and dessert was served at lunch and dinner. The food was not only edible, it was delicious! From chicken to steak, every meal went beyond my expectations.
Finally, watching the male lions run at full gallop and compete over their prey built a sense of fear and respect that is difficult to describe. As they roared and wrestled and leapt at the gate, it became clear to me that these animals are meant to be be respected, not pet!
Though the trip is far from over and there are many more experiences to come, I have already had my view of Zimbabwe shaped into something new as I learn more about the country, animals, and culture.
– Valerie , SPC Zimbabwe Vet Tech Program, June 2022

“Wildlife Conservation has had a grip on my heart since I was a child. I have always deeply enjoyed learning as much as I possibly could. So, this trip was the epitome of everything I have ever dreamed of. I did so much research and was eager to be able to experience what I have learned about veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation first-hand. I became quite biased in my opinion on how I felt wildlife should be preserved.

Based on my experiences here, I found I was wrong.

I always thought that poachers were the scum of the earth. I always believed that culling or trophy hunting “healthy” animals was blatantly wrong. To an extent, I still hold belief in both of these concepts. However, I have been able to have in depth conversations with locals, conservationists, and veterinarians about conservation and I have found it to be so grey.

For instance, poachers who use snares to catch animals are often trying to catch animals in order to feed their family. While it is an incredibly cruel way for an animal (intended target or not) to die, I understand that the individual is trying to feed their family by any means necessary. This is why most people only get a stern warning for setting snares despite their devastating consequences.

We were lucky enough to find one snare during our sweep at Antelope Park. We then were able to do a practice snare sweep to get a better feel for how they look at Iganyana, They were practically invisible, but I was able to find two once I learned to scan the tree bases for anything that looked similar to vines.

Afterwards, we stopped by the Painted Dog Sanctuary where we attended a lecture about the story of “Eyespot”, a Painted Dog that they were monitoring, who eventually succumbed to poaching via a snare. The speaker mentioned that they find 80+ snares a day on their sweeps and, instead of throwing them away, they model them into the animals that may have lost their lives to the snare. I bought one of a beautiful Painted Dog pictured below. I loved the idea of something so ugly being repurposed into something so beautiful.”
– Bailey , SPC Zimbabwe Vet Tech Program, June 2022