A Journey of Discovery and Learning
From July 1st to 14th, 2024, I had an incredible opportunity to intern at Sunway Lagoon Wildlife Park. As a veterinary student, this was truly an eye-opening experience that combined clinical practice, animal behaviour study, and visitor interaction. Here’s a glimpse into my unforgettable two weeks.
The Clinical Adventures
My internship kicked off with hands-on clinical work. I assisted in postmortem examinations of meerkats and a Sulcata tortoise, gaining invaluable insights into their anatomy and common health issues. A standout moment was observing a C-section on a dystocia-stricken pygmy goat. Witnessing the precision and urgency of the surgical team was both thrilling and educational. The experience underscored the vital role of veterinarians in ensuring the well-being of animals during critical situations. The whole surgery took about 5 hours. I learned about the Utrecht suture pattern and other important things to take note of throughout the surgery as well as precautions after surgery. This led to one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences, which was participating in the postmortem of the baby goat that unfortunately succumbed to dystocia. This provided a deep understanding of the complications that can arise during animal births and the critical interventions required.
Observation of post mortem on baby meerkat, hands-on post mortem on baby pygmy goat
Caring for various animals was a daily routine. I helped to clean and treat wounds on peacocks, ducks, tortoises, and goats. This hands-on care highlighted the importance of routine health checks and the intricacies of wound management in different species. Part of my duties involved treating mange in rabbits and guinea pigs. This task emphasised the importance of identifying and addressing parasitic infections promptly. Additionally, I conducted faecal checks using a microscope, a fundamental skill for diagnosing gastrointestinal parasites and other issues. This refreshes my memory of different parasites that I’ve learned during Parasitology class.
Cleaning and treating wounds of river terrapins and duck
Beyond the Clinic
The internship wasn’t confined to clinical tasks. I learned about the behaviours and feeding habits of a wide range of animals, from avians to reptiles to mammals. This knowledge is crucial for any aspiring veterinarian, as it informs how we approach animal care and interaction. Understanding the environmental factors affecting animal health was another key learning point. I performed water parameter checks to ensure the aquatic environments for various species were at optimal level. This experience highlighted the interconnectedness of environmental and animal health.
Interacting with park visitors was an unexpected but rewarding part of the internship. Explaining animal behaviours and the importance of conservation helped bridge the gap between the public and the wildlife park’s mission. An exciting and slightly nerve-wracking experience was participating in an animal escape mock drill. This exercise demonstrated the importance of preparedness and teamwork in managing potential emergencies.
Another exciting aspect of the internship was participating in animal training sessions. I helped train macaws to talk, enhancing their cognitive abilities and providing mental stimulation. Working with raccoons was equally fascinating, teaching them to listen to trainers and even put rubbish in bins. These training sessions underlined the importance of enrichment in captive animal care and the innovative methods used to engage their natural behaviours.
Horse grooming
A Collaborative Learning Environment
I was fortunate to intern alongside four other students from IPB, creating a collaborative and supportive learning environment. The veterinarians, vet assistants, and station managers were incredibly kind and generous with their knowledge. Their guidance was instrumental in making this internship a rich learning experience. Over these two weeks, I gained a wealth of knowledge that will undoubtedly shape my future career as a veterinarian. From clinical skills to understanding animal behaviour and handling emergencies, this internship was an immersive educational journey.
Photo with Vet Team
Sunway Lagoon Wildlife Park’s Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals
Sunway Lagoon Wildlife Park is dedicated to promoting sustainability and environmental education through various initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The park features an SDG Walk that educates visitors about the importance of these goals. To maintain the ecological health of the park’s lake, an extensive study was conducted, leading to the implementation of the ‘Clean-Flo’ system to reverse degradation and retain the lake’s mesotrophic state, directly supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Additionally, the lake water is repurposed for landscape irrigation, further emphasising resource efficiency.
Sunway Lagoon also encourages families and young children to participate in educational hunts to raise awareness about World Animal Day, fostering a love for animals and an understanding of their role in global sustainability, which supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Since September 2018, the park has utilised groundwater from an old tiger exhibit for cleaning walkways and watering landscapes, expanding this sustainable practice to eight points within the park, associating with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Through these efforts, Sunway Lagoon Wildlife Park demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Conclusion
My time at Sunway Lagoon Wildlife Park was an unforgettable blend of clinical practice, animal behaviour study, and public engagement. It has fueled my passion for veterinary medicine in wildlife and solidified my commitment to animal care and conservation. This experience is a testament to the invaluable learning that comes from hands-on and real-world practice. Looking back, these two weeks were not just an internship but a profound adventure in veterinary medicine.
Lee Po Yen
161221051
source
https://unair.ac.id/
