An Interview with Dr. Jacky: Zimbabwe’s Wildlife Superhero

Hey Future Vets!
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If you are anything like me, you may have wondered what it would be like to work in the field of wildlife veterinary medicine. This article shines the spotlight on Dr. Jacky La Grange-Monsert, a real-life superhero for wildlife! As a wildlife veterinarian located in Zimbabwe, she works with a wide array of African animals, including giraffes, elephants, antelope, water buffalo, rhinoceroses, pythons, and more. She attended veterinary school at Sokoine University in Tanzania, where she studied pathology, anatomy, biochemistry, among other essential courses needed to be a successful vet. As a member of the African Wildlife Management and Conservation (AWMC) team, Dr. Jacky plays a crucial role in the conservation and health of wildlife across Zimbabwe. As a vet, wife, mother, and teacher, Dr. Jacky is an exceptional multitasker. She likes to share her passions with her family, and often takes them along with her while she is working. Despite living halfway across the globe, Dr. Jacky was kind enough to answer my questions about her role, and gave some amazing advice! Read on to learn more about her and her work.

Q. What drew you into the field of wildlife veterinary medicine?
A. “⁠I grew up around animals and have a strong affinity for them. When I was young I had a tadpole with an injured tail, and no one could help it. I decided then that I would become a vet to help such cases.”

Q. What advice would you give to your past self regarding the difficult pathway to vet school?
A.“⁠I would tell my past self to not sweat the small stuff, and to take more chances.”

Q. What does a day in your work life typically look like?
A.“If we are at home, I teach my children school from 5 until 8, then leave for the farm and/or house calls. I treat anything from companion and large animals to birds and exotics until mid-afternoon. Then I come home to clean and sterilize surgical kits and prepare the rest of the kit for the next day. Next, I mark my children’s school work, cook etc., then go to bed. When we are out in the field capturing animals, we typically leave for the boma early, to catch and process the wild animals some or all of the day. My children’s schooling is done at the boma.” (A boma is used by wildlife veterinarians/conservationists to herd wild animals into a loading truck for transportation. It is formed by ~5m tall plastic tarps set up as walls in a funnel formation leading to a truck. As the animals move further into the boma, curtains close behind them, forcing them closer to the truck. The vets set up their camp close to this boma.)

Q. What is your favourite species to work with, and why?
A.“I love working with any of the tragelaphus species, which includes nyala, kudu and bushbuck. They epitomize African antelope. They are quirky but also challenging to work with.”

Q. What impact does your work have on the conservation of African species?
A.“We are heavily involved in conservation: everything from removing snares, to collaring animals for research/protection purposes, at other times catching game from overpopulated areas to start new populations, mass vaccinating wildlife during disease outbreaks (such as anthrax or rabies), dehorning, administering treatments, and much more.”

Q. Why do you think it is important to save wild species if there is a high chance that they will be killed for trophy hunting or by another animal?
A.“Every life counts in terms of genetic diversity… so if an animal has a chance to pass on their genetics then it is totally worth it.”

Q. How do you prevent capture myopathy while working with wildlife?
A.“⁠Pre-planning is essential, as are having back-up plans at the ready to ensure (as much as possible) that the animal is exposed to the least stress possible to prevent myopathy.” (Capture myopathy is a disease that causes muscle damage in wild animals. It is a result of stress from capture or transport, and is the leading cause of death in wild animals that are handled by humans).

Q. How important is it to get the local people involved in caring about and protecting wildlife?
A.“Getting the locals involved and on the animal’s sides, as well as understanding and benefitting from the wildlife, is critical to the project's ultimate and long-term success.”
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Q. What is one of the most memorable experiences you have had over your years of working with wildlife in many different countries?
A. “My most memorable experience was dealing with a family herd of elephants that we were relocating across the country. Upon immobilisation, the matriarch went down on a fallen palm tree and her legs went to sleep. When we woke her herd up (and her calf) she couldn't get up. We battled for over 2 hours and were running out of options to help her; she was about to give up. She was so patient with us. We tried one last plan: we placed straps under her forelegs and lifted her through a man-hole with a crane, and it worked! The relief and celebration that followed will stay with me forever.” (The term “matriarch” refers to the oldest and most dominant female in an elephant herd. She leads the herd and determines their ranging patterns, as well as teaches younger elephants how to survive.)

Thank you so much to Dr. Jacky for taking the time out of her very busy schedule to answer my questions. The FVC greatly appreciates you, and everything that you do to help wildlife! You are truly an inspiration to Future Vets everywhere! If you would like to learn more about Dr. Jacky and her work, or see more amazing photos like the ones above, check out her instagram account, @mzunguvet. I hope you enjoyed reading this article!
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Sincerely,
​Sophia Di Adamo​,  Junior Editor