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Wildlife Ecology in South Africa is one of the longest-running field courses at the Faculty of Agriculture in which students take part in a Collaborative Online International Learning opportunity, before the trip and are tasked with completing a miniature research project and presentation while in South Africa.

During their stay, speakers specialized in the biodiversity of South Africa, and the field techniques needed to observe it, instruct students through lectures and labs.

Cassandra Andersen, a fourth-year student in Bio-Veterinary Science, minoring in Aquaculture, participated in the field course this past summer.  Not unfamiliar with travelling, Cassandra has previous work experience leading her to Madagascar, assisting wildlife veterinarians and researchers looking at lemurs.

“I feel like this trip really expanded not only my knowledge around wildlife ecology and wildlife in southern Africa, but also helped me improve my skills and techniques as a student,” she explained. “Getting to learn such a wide variety of skills like camera trapping, small mammal trapping and managing a game reserve from industry professionals was fascinating and not an experience I am going to forget.”

Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, and Toronto, Cassandra would like to eventually attend school to become a veterinarian.

“I would want anyone considering taking an opportunity like this to know it will challenge you in the best way possible,” she said.  “This opportunity allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and take advantage of opportunities I never had access to before. The biodiversity in the Eastern cape was remarkable and getting to explore a variety of landscapes and biomes along the coast was such a privilege.”