Southeast student darts rhinos for internship

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Southeast Missouri State University student Hollie Lybarger traveled to South Africa this summer as an intern for Madikwe Game Reserve.

The internship consists of things such as learning methods of protecting vulnerable species, helping with predator work, tracking jackals and clearing invasive bush species.

Lybarger says she also worked as part of a rhino tagging team.

"We actually tracked down both black and white rhino and darted them and we took blood samples, hair samples, tissue samples, we also drilled a tracking device in side the horn and then notched their ears for identification and awareness purposes," Lybarger said.

The tracking devices are used to prevent poaching.

Lybarger says this internship has taught her about land preservation and wildlife management as well as educating the public about such issues.

She is considering graduate school and plans to use her degree in land management.

Lauren Campbell, KRCU

Posted in: biology,Lauren Campbell,Southeast Missouri State University