Another successful year is in the books for Dr. Diana, Veterinary Conservation Coalition, and the lucky attendees in 2024.
Two groups of travelers made the trip from various locations around the U.S., meeting up on the East Coast, before leaving on a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.  Embarking on an international journey took time and planning for everyone involved, but the payback of finding yourself enjoying a sunset dinner with the silhouette of giraffes, zebras, and ibex drinking peacefully from a lake make the preparation and travel time all seem insignificant.

Perhaps you’d like to join Diana on the next trip and experience the feeling of wonder on a morning walk as you pass a baboon and her baby, or the excitement of tracking down a rhino on remote trails to radio into the vet in the helicopter overhead, or the reverence and respect you have for a full-grown rhino as it lies down after sedation so you can remove its horn to keep it safe from poachers.                                                         (To find out more, click on that article—–>)

While each adventure at Mankwe is a memorable one, this year added a little extra surprise.  Two baby giraffes were born at the reserve in the spring, and each one of the VCC groups was given the honor of naming one of them.  Group One named their little spindly legged boy giraffe Moose, and Group Two named their bundle of sassiness Jenga.   Those names will live on in the heart of the Mankwe caretakers, while our conservation adventurers left a piece of themselves in the heart of South Africa.