A Vet’s Life | Markus Hofmeyr

Posted in Interactive | Lifestyle | Local Personalities | Nature & Outdoors

When he is not leaning out of helicopters darting rhino or testing new drug combinations on hippos, Dr Markus Hofmeyr’s job sees him planning the logistics for some of Southern Africa’s biggest conservation projects. As head vet for South Africa’s National Parks (SANParks), it is safe to say Markus has one of the top veterinary jobs in the country.

Working for SANParks is the fulfilment of Markus’ childhood dream to work in conservation and modestly, Markus puts it down to being in the right place at the right time. However, with a background in exotic animals at Onderstepoort, volunteer work with Canadian Wildlife and being part of the team that established Madikwe Game Reserve, it is fair to say hard work and determination also played their part!

From the outside living and working in one of the world’s biggest National Parks seems like a dream job, but what is it really like to be SANPark’s head vet and is it what we would imagine?

What does being SANPark’s Head Vet involve?

A Vet’s Life | Markus Hofmeyr

People think being the head vet for SANParks is a glamourous job, it isn’t. While I do get to do some amazing veterinary work, a lot of what I do is deal with operational issues.

That being said, we do get to be part of some amazing regional and international conservation operations. As SANParks has a good reputation for having a strong foundation of expertise in both veterinary and conservation fields, we are often asked to assist or run some of Africa’s most interesting and challenging conservation operations, particularly related to translocations.

Currently, rhino conservation is high on everyone’s priorities and we have been involved in some amazing translocations where black rhinos have been reintroduced into their former ranges across Southern Africa. To be able to say you have helped reintroduce a critically endangered animal, especially if that animal goes on to re-establish itself in an area where it was once extinct, is a huge privilege and achievement.

We have also played a big role in the establishment of animal populations in the Kruger-Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA). It is really exciting to know that the work you are doing is fundamental in setting up a new and important conservation area.

Then there is all the internal work we do within SANParks, to assist with planning and functioning of all 22 National Parks. Over the last 20 years some of the newer, smaller, national parks have been rapidly expanding and we have played a big role being part of the park re-establishment. In particular, with the reintroduction’s of species that have been needed in places like Addo, Mountain Zebra, the Karoo and West Coast National Parks.

How does being a SANParks vet differ from other kinds of veterinary work?

This is a good question as it differs a lot, which most people, especially tourists, don’t understand.

For most vets their primary function is to treat sick animals. That is not the case for us. Our role is to support SANParks objectives, and not to interfere in the natural processes. If a baby elephant gets separated from the herd, it is not our job to reunite them. We have to let nature take its course. The only time we will get involved is if there is a human induced injury, like snare wounds or traffic injuries. Or under special circumstances, for instance a critically endangered species.

Our major focus is to ensure the population dynamics of the national parks are healthy and to constantly look for ways to improve and refine capture techniques. So while a regular vet will focus on keeping up to date with the latest treatment procedures, as a SANPark’s vet we are also looking to advance our understanding of animal behaviours, population dynamics and capture techniques.

What are the best aspects of your job?

Definitely being involved in the veterinary activities, like game capture, where the outcome of what you are doing will have a significant impact on the success of conservation projects. So it becomes more than simply capturing an animal and relocating it, you also need the animal to then establish itself in the new location. When this happens, especially if the species re-establishes itself in an area where it had become extinct, that is very satisfying and is probably the best part of the job.

…and the worst aspects?

The bureaucracy! It is all about learning to prioritize and working out what is important and urgent, important but not urgent and urgent but not important!

What does it take to be a wildlife vet?

Team work!

You need to be able to work beyond your own discipline, with people from a range of other backgrounds. Everybody on the team has a critical role and you are only one link in the chain. You also need to realise that a lot of the training you get at University is simply the foundation of what you need to know, experience in the field outweighs passing exams every time!

Has there been any stand out moments?

It’s hard to pick one. That is the beauty of the job you are constantly doing new and intriguing things that leave you with amazing memories.

I guess one image I will never forget came from a recent black rhino trans-location, where we moved 19 black rhinos between two conservation areas. We did the capture in over a week and only two capture days, which is unheard of and was a result of a capture technique developed recently which included slinging the black rhinos under helicopters and flying them out of the capture site. The images of the black rhinos being airlifted will stay with me forever!

Another moment I will never forget was right at the beginning of my SANParks career, where we were still darting buffalo from the ground. The rest of the herd would surround us and watch inquisitively as we worked on the darted buffalo, which was a pretty surreal and somewhat intimidating situation!

A Vet’s Life | Markus Hofmeyr

What are your favourite animals to work with?

I can’t say I have a particular favourite, all species bring their own unique challenges that make working with them great! I guess I do have a particular affinity for Wild Dogs as I started my career following them for five years so I have a long history with them.

…and are there any species you would rather not work with?

I definitely find primates challenging! They tend to be overly aggressive and their intelligence often makes them tricky to work with. Roan are also a challenge as they like to kill each other in the crates, which makes the logistics of moving them particularly difficult!

Have you had any close calls working in the Park?

There have been a few and this is the danger when working with large and dangerous wildlife. You always need to know when to be cautious and while you should be confident in what you do, you must never lose your respect for the wildlife.

The closest call came when testing a new drug combination for capturing hippos. After darting the hippo, the team tried to manoeuvre it into the water so we could work on it. Some water got up the hippos nose and woke it. The natural reaction was for it to flee and it ran over me in the process. It was one of those ‘I am lucky to be alive moments’.

If you didn’t work as a vet for SANParks, what would you do?

I would still want to work in conservation as that is my passion. Probably in the development of conservation areas and National Parks.

Do you have a favourite getaway in the Park?

For me the Northern section of Kruger, the Pafuri region, is a very special place. The vegetation is so different and it reminds me of Zimbabwe where I spent time in my youth. It is a magical place with a lot fewer tourists!

In the Southern section of the park, the Nwaswishaka River system is a really wonderful place to explore. It is one of the few rivers that exists solely in the park, so no outsider influences affect it, making it one of the nicest natural riverine ecosystems in Kruger.

Finally, what makes the Lowveld so special?

I think it is the wide variety you find in the Lowveld that makes it so special. Whether it is the vast array of ecosystems, from dry areas, to mountain ranges and lush riverine habitats, the range of different attractions, cultures and things to do!

Then there is the amazing climate we have here. OK the summer months can be testing, but I would rather have eight glorious months and four that can be at times too hot, than four good months and eight terrible ones like the rest of the country!