UPEI students volunteer for wildlife medicine and conservation in Costa Rica

UPEI biology students Leah Campbell, of Cornwall, PEI, and Alexa Marshall, of Bay Roberts, Newfoundland and Labrador, spent two weeks in Costa Rica this summer, gaining practical veterinary shadowing experience in wildlife medicine and conservation. 

As participants of Loop Abroad’s Costa Rica Pre-Vet Wildlife Medicine program, Campbell and Marshall were selected to join a team at the Jaguar Rescue Center in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a facility dedicated to rehabilitating and reintroducing animals affected by wildlife trafficking and human-animal conflict.

During their time at the Jaguar Rescue Center, Campbell and Marshall were immersed in a comprehensive program of learning practical skills in assisting veterinary professionals through clinic shadowing. Additionally, they attended lectures on diverse topics such as wildlife restraint, handling, and physical exams, which provided essential knowledge for their veterinary education. Practical labs covered vital skills, including suturing, injections, hematology, and wildlife immobilization.

“The Jaguar Rescue Centre here in Costa Rica has provided me with the incredible opportunity to expand both my veterinary and cultural knowledge,” said Campbell. “Observing their [the veterinary team] work is so inspiring, and so motivating. Further, it was amazing to be able to work hands-on with the animals and to learn firsthand what approaches you must use, depending on the situation… Ultimately, this experience has been completely eye-opening, and I hope to work with animals someday, whether it be domestic or exotic.”

Campbell and Marshall also participated in conservation efforts and enrichment activities for various species. They engaged in a Conservation in Action workshop that focused on real-world applications of wildlife care and rehabilitation. The program emphasized the importance of practical learning through specialized workshops and labs. The two learned about bandaging techniques while also gaining experience in venipuncture and catheter placement. They also practiced drug dose calculations and sterile procedures essential for veterinary practice.

By the end of the program, the students gained approximately 62 veterinary hours and 6.5 research hours, valuable experience for their future veterinary school applications. They worked alongside both Loop Abroad veterinarians and the head veterinarian at the Jaguar Rescue Center, providing a comprehensive view of wildlife medicine in practice.

“This experience was two weeks full of trying to absorb any of the information provided by the veterinarians, volunteers, and workers at the Jaguar Rescue Centre. It has been an amazing opportunity to get hands-on experience with animals that I may never encounter again and to learn the basics of veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation/rehabilitation from experts in the field,” said Marshall.

About Loop Abroad
Loop Abroad is the largest pre-veterinary study abroad program in the United States, hosting students in nine countries on five continents throughout the year. Loop Abroad also offers veterinary internships around the globe and facilitates faculty-led travel for high schools, colleges and universities, and vet schools. Since 2009, Loop Abroad has specialized in pre-veterinary programs and helped students all over the world to pursue their dreams of a veterinary career.