UKZN Veterinarian Mentors Conservation Officer in SeycheIles

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Dr Sanil Singh, UKZN Veterinarian and former Head of the Biomedical Resources Unit recently visited Seychelles where he spent a few days on the conservation island of Aride. This island is a unique bird sanctuary that is home to over 500 000 breeding pairs of seabirds.

The resident population of birds included greater and lesser noddies, sea terns, magpie robins and many more.

Singh dedicated one morning to train the conservation officer in Necropsy techniques for birds.

‘This training would enable the conservation officer to determine how and what samples they collect for further lab analysis,’ he said

‘In addition, we had discussion on biosecurity and role of conservation in One Health,’ Singh said.

The Seychelles Conservation Institute had invited Singh through his former student, Ms Nazreen Khan.

Khan completed her MSc from the School of Life Sciences but was resident at the Biomedical Resources Unit wherein Singh and Dr Linda Bester supervised all her research in conjunction with the KZN Sharks Board.

The total human population of Aride island is seven of which two are conservation officers and other boatmen and volunteers. The island is accessed by flying into the international airport in Victoria, Mahe and either by ferry or a quick flight to Praslin. It is from Praslin that he was picked for a 45-minute rubber duck journey on rough seas to Aride.

Words: Lihle Sosibo

Photograph supplied by Sanil Singh