Calvin Price - South Africa

Planning a trip to South Africa in the middle of the pandemic was a challenge. COVID-19 did impose restrictions on international travel, but with the help of the office of Global Programs and my mentors, we adapted aptly. My trip was a clinical-based research project to validate an automated hematology machine for white rhino that could ultimately enhance wildlife veterinarians' ability to diagnose and treat these animals in the field.

Once in South Africa, I immediately got stuck into my research, manually counting dozens of white rhino blood smears while in between gaining clinical experience in wildlife veterinary medicine. My first call-out was to a black rhino check-up in the Eastern Cape bush. On this call, the Ikhala veterinarians first showed how they were collecting blood samples from rhino, a standard practice in any rhino procedure. In the following rhino procedure, I was expected to collect blood samples on my own and later prep and analyze this data.

In-between sample analysis at the lab, I was able to assist on multiple wildlife procedures, to name a few, a giraffe capture (terrifyingly awesome), multiple small ungulates (impala, golden wildebeest, bushbuck, rooi hartebeest), an elephant collaring, and a buffalo relocation. These procedures each had their own learning experience, and I am incredibly grateful to the Ikhala veterinary team for this opportunity.

The research I conducted has posed more questions upon analysis and allowed for future research projects to continue in South Africa. This outcome was unexpected, but following this experience, I am excited to continue my research beyond just the bounds of veterinary school.

The research and clinical experiences I gained from this project will undoubtedly aid me in my career in wildlife veterinary medicine, and I thank Global Programs immensely for this opportunity.


Calvin Price - South Africa
Calvin Price - South Africa
Calvin Price - South Africa