Program Overview
The Animal Science Course 5797.05 allows students to complete a short term study abroad in South Africa to study the welfare and behavior of different South African species. This trip involves traveling to different private ranches and reserves and national parks to observe African animals in a natural habitat and rehabilitation centers to learn about saving the individuals within a species. (https://ansci.osu.edu/courses/animsci-579705)
Pre-Departure Reflection
Perceptions of Africa are often connected to ideas of unsophisticated people living in rural villages in wide open vast areas of savanna. I personally have grown up with these perceptions that are illustrated in documentaries, movies, books, and media. As I grew up I learned that Africa is not always as illustrated. I remember someone showing me a picture of a large city in Africa and I was stunned at the sophistication and how the buildings looked like they belonged in New York City. I quickly realized what I thought I knew about Africa was very little and potentially all wrong. My perceptions of Africa were twisted and this trip was the cornerstone in educating myself on the actual issues, cultures, and dynamics in Africa in relation to exotic animals.
Taking the prerequisite class for this trip was the first time I was exposed to a lot of the behavioral characteristics that Southern African animals display. I learned about how the behavioral characteristics are linked to that specific species niche in the diverse ecosystem. I wanted to observe these behaviors displayed by the animals on this trip because a captive setting does not allow the natural behaviors that wild animals partake in to be observed.
Exotic animal management can be very controversial and I expected to have conversations where people disagree. I wanted to be able to explain the reasoning behind all opinions and understand why people hold an opinion even if I do not agree.
I wanted this trip to change my generalized perceptions and make me question my own opinions. As a future veterinarian, I want to be able to have an educated opinion on exotic animal welfare and a knowledge on the behavior of wild exotic animals to inform those who want to learn and make informed opinions and decisions. I want to be part of the solution to the issues involving exotic animals and not part of the problem.
While Abroad Reflection
When people from America envision exotic animals, images of animals from Africa typically are envisioned, however, exotic animals to some are not so exotic to others. From talking with people in Africa, they were excited to learn that parts of Ohio have bears and wanted to know what kinds of wildlife Ohio has. It brings to question if biodiversity in Ohio could potentially be used as bio-tourism like it is being done in Africa. Bio-tourism in Africa has supported their economy and has helped to change parts of their landscape back to how it was before agricultural operations. There will always be a need for some parts of the United States or Africa to be agricultural land, but there is great promise that more and more land can be returned to the natural environment for wildlife. The management of wildlife in Africa and America really is not as different as it seems and the biggest difference was the amount of politics surrounding African wildlife management compared to American wildlife.
Southern Ground Hornbill
In Africa the guides discussed how Southern Ground Hornbills became endangered species. Because African Elephants were becoming over populated, they were destroying all of the tree trunks that Southern Ground Hornbills use to nest in and reproduce. This example is what spurred an understanding of how biodiversity is reliant on the balance of species. If one species has a population that is spiraling out of control in either direction, it upsets the ecosystem and can cause chaos for other species. I found this example to be a great teaching moment. The goal of trophy hunting is not to ruthlessly kill animals for no reason, but to help promote biodiversity by managing populations that are out of control. Lowering the population of the over populated species generates funding to practice conservation methods for under populated species. The balance is important to the environment. Conservation is more than saving one species, but it is important to maintaining a world that is capable of supporting the human race. This trip supported the understanding of not just trying to save individual species, but an entire ecosystem. I came to this realization during the trip.
Many of the exotic species have social structures that are complex and highly developed. Elephants, hyena, and buffalo are just a few examples of species that live in groups that have a complex way of communicating and living together. Vocalization, body language, and herd hierarchy are just a few examples of what the animals can recognize using their cognitive abilities. Species in the United States also have social structures and ways of communicating with their own species, however their level of intelligence does not seem to reach that of African species. Elephants have the ability to think about what you are thinking. This kind of reasoning- trying to figure out the other one’s thoughts- is implying of higher cognitive abilities. I saw an elephant pretend to eat feed because they were aware that we were watching and that we will think they are still eating and not paying attention. Humans tend to downplay the intelligence of other species compared to Homo sapiens, however that does not mean they are incapable of complex problem solving.
After Return Reflection
Traveling to Africa and seeing the exotic animal behavior, welfare, and health in a close encounter creates more of a connection to the animals than reading and learning about them from a classroom. Experiencing how the animals react to humans and being a part of the habitat that they naturally live brings a new sense of understanding for the animals that cannot be obtained from a book. Not only does visiting the natural habitat evoke an appreciation for the wildlife, but for the people and cultures that share the space with the animals. Studying abroad in South Africa created a learning environment that supported expanding knowledge about animal welfare and behavior and how resources and people impact the lives of exotic animal species.
One of the most important aspects of the study abroad that I brought back with me is how there are many different ideas on how to help the wildlife, but after talking to the people that live in Africa, there are ideas that are better than others. People in rural villages need educated on what to do when a wild animal comes into their village, however it is not well accepted when this information is coming from people that are looked upon as outsiders. The education needs to come from within the village. This is important and an aspect I learned from Moholoholo. Americans often want to go to Africa to help the cause, but sometimes it is better to empower people that are already established within the community to teach and educate people. The people in Africa are very capable individuals and sometimes just need the funding or the resources to do the work themselves. If Moholoholo had a support system like the Endangered Wildlife Center, the amount of villages and animals that they could reach out to would be increased by a lot. As much as I want to help in Africa, I realize the best way for someone like me to help is by supporting from the United States. Much of the battles being fought are political and financially problematic, not necessarily a lack of ability. The information is in Africa, it just needs to reach the right people, starting with support for the rural villages just like one of the staff members of Eco-Training was explaining. Coming from a rural area in Ohio, I see some similarities between Africa and the United States that maybe people with other backgrounds do not see. Rural areas receive pity and are looked at as inferior with people that are uneducated and barbaric. This is true in parts of America just like it is true in parts of Africa. I did not think I would feel similarities between the United States and Africa on this topic and on such a basic level. I think the same basic principles of empowering rural areas could help Africa and the United States in different ways.
Being in Africa and being a part of the community helped me to really put myself in the shoes of the people living in Africa. I really grew in my appreciation for the wildlife and conservation. I did not believe conservation of species was that important until I went to Africa and experienced the wildlife first hand. This study abroad changed my perspectives on conservation and helped me to grow as a person in the animal industry. I believe that as a veterinarian I will be able to use the information I learned in different ways to support African wildlife and to use the knowledge indirectly by applying the same concepts for problems here in the United States. This was truly a life changing experience and has given me a newfound passion to return to Africa again.
