Veterinary Medicine and Wildlife Production in Brazil
June 1 - June 19, 2003

An increasing number of veterinary students have career goals involving wildlife and exotic (zoo) animal medicine. Many of these students are also interested in environmental issues, including the impact of livestock on the environment and indigenous cultures. Because little formal training in these areas is available at ISU, the College of Veterinary Medicine is offering Veterinary Medicine and Wildlife Production in Brazil as a study abroad opportunity.

Students will learn about wildlife diseases and management, including capture and restraint at several production facilities. They will also learn about current issues related to production of capybaras, caimans, turtles, peccaries, and other species. A visit to an indigenous people’s reserve will expose students to wildlife in their natural environment as well as how these people use wildlife and aspire to conserve their land and culture. Students will gain an appreciation of human communities and how these communities affect the environments and the sustainability of the wildlife and livestock. Ways in which wildlife can pay their way in a developing country will be explored in depth. Students will also learn about many facets of wildlife production methods and in the process come to appreciate the ever more important interplay between wildlife, the environment and human communities and the impact of this interplay in responding to veterinary and public health issues.

At the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Identify and explain the important biologic and behavior characteristics of major mammalian wildlife species and how these affect production of these animals in Brazil.
• Implement and make decisions about various types of restraint and treatment of several types of wild animals.
• Explain the important wildlife diseases of production animals and use this information to make decisions about production and conservation management.
• Understand the relationships and impacts among wildlife species, domestic livestock, and human economic endeavors.
• Explain how some types of game ranching are done and help or hinder conservation efforts.
• Explain the ecosystems of one of the world’s largest wetlands (Pantanal) and its special features and influence on wildlife/livestock policy and decisions.
• Identify a large number of Brazilian bird species

Trip Itinerary: