By Ava Cabble, DVM '27

It’s 3 a.m. in the Namibian bush. A team of us circles around a sedated lion to take DNA samples while two other male lions lurk nearby. We haven’t gotten an ounce of sleep, and I haven’t had a hot meal in a week, but I've never felt more alive than at this moment. In my first year of veterinary school, I spent countless hours glued to my books, immersed in the world of anatomy, physiology, and pathology. While I learned an immense amount from my studies, nothing compares to the invaluable lessons gained from working in the field. Being in the heart of the wilderness, directly interacting with the animals we strive to protect, offered a perspective that no textbook ever could.

From Classroom to Conservation

Within weeks of beginning as a veterinary student at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, I scheduled a meeting with Dr. Robin Radcliffe, an associate professor of practice in wildlife and conservation medicine. I had heard about the incredible international conservation projects he was involved with and was eager to contribute in any way possible. During our conversation, Dr. Radcliffe discussed his colleagues’ work in Namibia. The University of Namibia had recently detected high levels of lead in vultures, a concerning finding likely linked to widespread mining activities and the use of lead bullets in hunting. Renowned Namibian wildlife veterinarians, Dr. Pete Morkel and Dr. Mark Jago, hypothesized that lead exposure could also be affecting animals higher up the food chain.

Based on this work, Dr. Radcliffe and I devised a project focused on surveying lead consumption in carnivores, with a particular emphasis on the vulnerable brown hyena. My summer experience, funded through Cornell’s Expanding Horizons International Education Program, presented an opportunity to investigate this hypothesis and contribute valuable data to ongoing conservation efforts.

Tracking Lead in Namibia’s Carnivores

I spent my first two weeks in Namibia working alongside Dr. Pete Morkel and an incoming Cornell veterinary student, Katie Johnson. Together, we traveled to local farms to engage with the community and collect samples from their properties. Many farmers in Namibia are deeply invested in the environment and the wildlife they share the land with. However, they also need to protect their cattle, which sometimes results in the killing of predators. From these carnivore carcasses, we collected bones to sample for lead. We collected 30 samples, including those of jackals, brown hyenas, leopards, spotted hyenas, and numerous fox species.

It was an amazing experience getting to know the farmers and discussing our project goals with them, as well as exploring ways they could contribute to our research efforts. The farmers were incredibly welcoming and supportive of our research. Notably, they hold veterinarians in high regard because their livelihoods depend on the health of their animals. I was very aware of our responsibility to balance conservation efforts with the needs of local communities, ensuring that both the environment and human livelihoods can coexist harmoniously.

Collecting Bones at the Skeleton Coast

The following two weeks were spent on the Skeleton Coast in a restricted area known as the Sperrgebiet, where wildlife thrives due to the lack of human activity. We collaborated with Dr. Marie Lemerle, the leader of the Brown Hyena Project. The group’s aim is to conduct research and build an effective conservation plan for this often neglected species. The Brown Hyena Project had previously collected the bones of about 30 hyenas, which we tested for lead, to include in our research on Namibian carnivores. Since this population of hyenas primarily feeds on Cape fur seals, we aimed to determine if they are similarly affected by lead exposure.

In addition, we accompanied Dr. Lemerle into the field to observe and collect data for her brown hyena behavior project. I was ecstatic to learn more about these elusive animals. Each day, we worked with her to check camera traps and monitor the brown hyenas at the seal colony at Bakers Bay. We observed at least five hyenas each day, which I found impressive, as most people never have the opportunity to see this species in the wild. Between our hyena sightings, we were often greeted by curious jackals that sat on the rocks not far from us, keeping us company and often making us chuckle. This experience emphasized the importance of considering animal behavior when conducting research in conservation. Understanding the habits and interactions of these creatures will allow us to better assess the impacts of environmental factors, such as lead exposure.

An Enlightening Exhibition in Etosha National Park

I then ventured off to Etosha National Park to work with Dr. Janine Sharpe, the lead veterinarian at the Etosha Ecological Institute. As I arrived at the park, I was greeted by a herd of elephants at the waterhole. I was in awe, unable to believe my eyes as I watched multiple juvenile elephants joyfully splashing in the water. Being away from home is hard, but moments like these reminded me that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Each day at Etosha felt like a dream!

Our work was varied and rewarding. We supported the anti-poaching dogs that protect the rhinos and pangolins in the park, ensuring their emergency kits were well-stocked and administering their required vaccines. We relocated a group of lions that were preying on cattle across several farms. We camped above a waterhole to observe elephant behavior with researchers who know each elephant individually. We collected blood to look for evidence of exposure to several viral diseases by immobilizing zebras, lions, springboks, and wildebeests. We even tracked a pangolin that had recently been released into the park after recovering from an injury. I loved how each day in Etosha National Park was incredibly unpredictable, with plans changing by the hour. Working with these animals brought me an incredible amount of joy and fulfillment. Each moment in this remarkable place taught me that no other job is meant for me besides working with these amazing creatures.

Taking Rhino Conservation to New Heights

My final two weeks in Namibia were dedicated to working with the black rhino. I joined the game capture team at Etosha for a two-week dehorning expedition. Over this period, we successfully dehorned over 40 black rhinos on nearby farms to deter poachers and protect these magnificent animals. This anti-poaching approach sparks differing opinions, but given the urgency, the team cannot wait for unanimous agreement on a single method to deter poachers and save the rhinos. As a result, dehorning is conducted frequently in Namibia, even amid some disagreement. It was simply an honor to assist with monitoring the anesthetized animals—an incredible privilege to be so close to these creatures—witnessing their strength and beauty up close.

During the last week of the rhino expedition, I joined the research team from Cornell, including Dr. Robin Radcliffe, Dr. Julie Felippe, and Dr. Robin Gleed, to assist with their project evaluating the effects of hanging rhinos upside down for transport. Participating in this research was an amazing experience. I have always had a passion for clinical research, and witnessing its applications in conservation medicine encouraged me to believe that my dream career was possible.

Reflections

This experience deepened my understanding of the complexities involved in wildlife conservation and reinforced my passion for working with wildlife and the people that surround them. My experiences in Namibia were nothing short of transformative, offering me insights and lessons that no classroom could provide. From the early morning encounters with lions to the collaborative efforts with local farmers, each moment was a powerful reminder of the delicate balance between the needs of people and those of wildlife, and how my role as a veterinarian will require navigating this landscape.

Ava Cabble, Class of 2027, is a third-year veterinary student at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she is focusing on wildlife medicine and clinical research. She aims to leverage her bachelor's degree in microbiology to advance veterinary research and practice, contributing to the conservation of diverse species and their habitats.

All photos provided by Ava Cabble.