My journey in Wildlife as a Veterinarian

In the year 2017, I joined veterinary science and animal husbandry faculty at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science Paklihawa, Tribhuvan University. It's 2023 now, and I have successfully defended my undergraduate research on “Milk composition and factors associated with its composition in Asian Elephants at Chitwan National Park, Nepal”. All the students were assigned at different places of Nepal for their internship research activities. We were supposed to draw a lottery to select the sites to avoid biasness. That lottery event made me feel that I should try lottery more. That day, when I tried lottery, and Chitwan National Park chose me. I sensed my dream of working in wildlife sector is getting a way. Learning little by little in the sector of wildlife; I feel blessed to conduct the first ever research in the Asian Elephant milk in Nepal. The internship period taught me with practical knowledge on Wildlife sectors along with small and large animal practices. As much the word "Wildlife" seems fascinating, it equally is challenging. Fortunately, I love animals, adventures and challenges. I got an opportunity to get engaged in wildlife health camp, and learnt a lot from foreign professional on elephant foot afflictions. I was fortunate enough to assist in laboratory activities like estimation of leucocyte count, red blood cells count, protein, platelets count and differential leucocyte count in elephant blood. I did blood collection and faecal collection along with prepared blood smear for examiantion of blood parasites followed by faecal examination for faecal parasites. 

Along with elephant, I was able to serve one and half months rhinoceros who was wounded by Tiger attack. Till my internship period, the wound got completely healed. It was a joyous moment for me along with other wildlife veterinarians and conservationist.

Writing these words, some great faces will always be at front.

My advisor, Dr. Bijaya Kumar Shrestha sir, you are the coolest advisor for student like me who have several queries. I would say, I was the only student who had two advisors, Dr. Amir Sadaula sir, how much I thank, it would always be less. That day when we were riding back in jeep from the camp, your motivation to go for something different that you will worth remember for the lifetime is the best work. I now realize the gravity of your words. Thank you for pushing me to go for different, and introducing how different a wildlife sector is. Mr. Kiran Rijal sir, the calmness you embrace is always at its best. Dr. Sagar Paudel sir and Dr. Pratik Hamal sir, a heartful gratitude for accessing and supporting research activities in your laboratory. Dr. Dipesh Chhetri sir, never met and talked to you before, however you supported without any hesitation. Your humbleness will always be appreciated.

Thank you so much, Dr. Shambhu Shah sir, Dr. Rakesh Yadav sir and Dr. Sirjan Bastola sir for your continuous motivation. My cordial thanks to Professor Dr. Krishna Kaphle sir for helping me to sort out every queries I had. Thank you very much, Professor Dr. Dinesh Singh sir and Dr. Bikalp Karki sir for supporting during data analysis procedure. Miss Susmita Gaire, you are my guardian angel for being there day and night with sleepless nights teaching me statistical techniques when I was in hustle. My sincere gratitude to all the elephant handlers (mahouts) for giving your best during sample collection. Despite difficulty during milking procedures, you all were so welcoming and supportive. I would like to thank my dearest Dr. Moona Silwal dd, Dr. Pratik Kiju dai, Miss Priyanka Bhatta, Mr. Sudarshan Bhattarai and Mr. Jenish Shrestha for helping me. I would like to thank everyone who directly and indirectly supported me throughout the research.

Thank you everyone ♥️

#wildlife #Internship #Veterinary #Elephant #Milk #IAAS #Nepal #Student #Defense #paklihawa #OathCeremony #22ndBatch #veterinarian #TU #ChitwanNationalPark #NTNC #sauraha