The trip to South Africa was a field study with Biology, Dr. Kamal Islam as instructor.  Melissa's trip can be separated into three main portions though it lasted May 7-24.  Ecolife Expeditions, endorsed by the Center for Wildlife Management of the University of Pretoria, was the group's contact in South Africa.  Loskop Dam Nature Reserve

            The group camped at a remote camp accessible by boat for four days.  While there, they learned bush skills, tracking, survival skills, and navigation. At this location, they saw their first wildlife: zebra, impala, hippos, giraffes, warthogs, bushbuck and nyala. Back at the camp, the group saw Boomslang (snake) hunting in the tree above camp.   

            At night, they heard many amazing sounds including leopard, bats using echolocation, hippos, and impala.

Kruger National Park

            The second portion of the field study included listening to lectures about game capture techniques, wildlife to livestock diseases, and controlling elephant overpopulation in the park.  Since Kruger is completely fenced in, as opposed to American national parks, the animals are unable to migrate beyond park boundaries.  While you are in the park you cannot get out of the car except in protected camping areas.

            Game drives are an activity in which ecotourists try to see the "big five":   Elephant, Rhino, water buffalo, leopard, and lion.  This was the first group from Ball State to be able to see all five. Some of the other wildlife the group saw included: elephant, giraffe, zebra, warthogs, impala, kudu, wildebeest, white rhino, water buffalo, leopard, lion, cibet (raccoon-like animal), scops owl, fruit bats, various eagles, hornbills, white-tailed mongoose, lilac-breasted roller,

            The highlight of the park for Melissa was seeing the small pride of lions after a day hike with armed guards.

Blyde Canyon Reserve:

            Blyde Canyon Reserve is a beautiful resort where the group stayed for the third portion of their trip.  While there, the group went to a reptile park where they saw many different kinds of snakes, including venomous snakes like the puff adder. They were introduced to scorpion species, golden brown baboon spider (tarantula-like spider).  The group also visited the wildlife rehab center where they were given the opportunity to feed vultures.

            A very memorable moment for Melissa was the chance to learn target practice from both the ground and a helicopter using a dart gun and artificial targets.  After this very memorable trip, the group returned to Indiana after a sixteen hour flight.