Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Botswana, Africa August — December 2019
Volunteer Research
Keywords: Volunteer, vaccine-preventable diseases, rehabilitation, Bumblefoot infection, fundraiser
Choosing Botswana— Community Health Practicum
In my second year at Iowa State University, I traveled to Botswana, Africa, for a five-month study abroad program focused on the government-provided healthcare system. As a part of the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) I took courses on epidemiology, parasitology, and global migration patterns at the University of Botswana in Gaborone. Under the Community Health Practicum program, I visited local and rural clinics, hospitals, and the Ministry of Health on two-week rotations. 
Through the duration of my studies, I investigated Botswana’s current battles with illegal and, thus, unsafe abortions, the links between suicide and mental health in the developing country, and the prevalence of smoking tobacco among minors. I also compared Botswana’s required childhood immunization regime to other countries’ free-choice vaccination adherence. I found a dramatic reduction and maintenance of preventable childhood diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox, which I presented to a panel of community health representatives.
Volunteering at Mokolodi Nature Reserve
In a matter of weeks after arriving in Botswana, I sought out volunteer opportunities and reached out to the Mokolodi Nature Reserve rehabilitation center to discuss potential projects. Throughout coordinating with the conservation staff, I began by looking after a set of abandoned animals needing rehabilitation, providing supplemental feed for white rhinos in drought season, and creating enrichment for a grieving cheetah whose sister passed from a neuronal disease. By working behind the scenes, I was afforded the opportunity to experience how a well-established game reserve functions and what is involved in maintaining a large reserve of its kind.
After a couple of weeks of exploring and assisting in parts of the reserve, I offered to investigate an infection among their white-backed vulture population. I utilized my pastime of photography to track 
the development and plated samples to try and understand this case’s specifics using numerous biochemical tests. Ultimately, I determined it was likely a bumble foot infection. With this discovery, I was able to research ways in which the birds may have gotten infected and begin considering diagnostics and possible treatment. After numerous conversations with the lead rehabilitation staff, I learned that the vulture had received 2 vaccination attempts that did not seem to help. With further investigation, I found out that the vaccines Mokolodi had access to with their limited financial flexibility were unfortunately expired. From this, I proposed a recommended treatment course and change in diet to better aid the vulture’s recovery.
Faced with a deficit in resources and using out-of-date antibiotics, I initiated a research plan with testing recommendations, clinical management, and wound treatment that could subside the infection until fresh antibiotics could be purchased. While examining the prevalence of bumble foot, I continued to work with staff to brainstorm methods of physical and mental enrichment for several species. Fortunately, the documentation of my time abroad allowed me to design a 2020 calendar using my wildlife photos to raise additional money for rehabilitation activities and soon enough, fresh antibiotics.
