Kimberley
Veterinary Wildlife Services: Kimberley (VWS: KMB) formally known as the “Game Capture Unit” first operated from Rondevlei in 1993 and then established a permanent office in Kimberley during 1994. This unit was located centrally in South Africa to facilitate supporting those National Parks in the central and southern areas of South Africa rather than those situated in the north of the country that is Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe National Park and Marakele National Park. Dr Anthony Hall Martin, Director for Conservation Services at the time, head hunted Dr Pete Morkel and moved Brian Beauchamp from Kruger National Park as wildlife veterinarian and operations manager to start a game capture unit in Kimberley. At the same time, Scientific Services also opened its Kimberley office and shared office space with VWS: KMB.
Over the years the capacity of the unit gradually increased to meet a growing requirement to translocate animals between national parks and capture wildlife for sale to the private sector. By 1996, two drivers for the transport trucks and two capture assistants had been added to the team. In 1997, VWS: KMB moved to the old licence testing ground on the southern outskirts of Kimberley which provide additional space for offices and the construction of animal holding facilities, staff accommodation, a workshop and covered parking for trucks and other equipment.
The current VWS: KMB unit consist of 19 permanent staff and is well equipment to work with a large variety of wildlife species found in national parks around the country. This capacity allows for the mass capture and translocation of large groups of antelope species, and the chemical capture of individual animals such as rhino, elephants and large predators. The unit’s premises also have a fully equipped laboratory and biobank of biological samples to support veterinary focused research. There is also overnight accommodation for staff and guests wishing to spend time at the unit’s facility.