Team Congo

My journey to the Republic of the Congo began with excitement and anticipation as I left home for six weeks of immersive work in primate medicine and conservation. Long travel days and international layovers gave me time to reflect on how meaningful this opportunity was to me and why I had chosen a path that led me here. By the time I arrived, I was eager to learn, ready to adapt, and deeply grateful to be in a place where wildlife conservation is lived every day.

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The first days were spent settling into daily life and learning how to function in a new environment. Navigating grocery shopping without refrigeration, carrying water, and communicating primarily in French pushed me to think ahead and problem-solve constantly. Translating throughout the day was mentally demanding but rewarding, and I quickly became more confident expressing myself. These early experiences taught me independence and flexibility, skills that proved essential throughout the rest of my time in the Congo.

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Once work at the sanctuary began, my days filled quickly with morning rounds, clinical evaluations, and hands-on veterinary work. I observed and assisted with wound care, anesthesia, surgeries, parasite diagnostics, fecal analyses, ultrasounds, and post-operative monitoring. Many procedures took place in enclosures or outdoor settings, which taught me how much good medicine relies on adaptability, teamwork, and clear communication rather than ideal conditions. Interpreting lab work and contributing to treatment plans helped me build confidence and confirmed how much I enjoy the complexity of primate health.

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As the weeks progressed, I became more involved in enrichment design, behavioral observations, and data collection. Creating enrichment protocols taught me how essential mental stimulation is for welfare and rehabilitation. Behavioral data collection showed me how individual personalities and social dynamics influence health, recovery, and readiness for release. These experiences helped me see primates not just as patients, but as individuals whose behavior and environment are inseparable from their medical care.

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Fieldwork expanded my understanding of conservation beyond the clinic. I assisted with camera trap monitoring, tracking animals in dense jungle, and observing wild chimpanzees from a distance. Participating in wildlife releases was especially impactful. Watching animals step back into the forest highlighted the true goal of rehabilitation, which is preparing individuals to live independently. These moments reinforced for me that conservation success is measured by freedom and long-term survival, and nothing made me happier than seeing monkeys race through the trees with excitement for their new life.

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Throughout my time in the Congo, I also learned what responsibility truly means in wildlife medicine. Assisting with surgeries, monitoring recoveries, and participating in necropsies allowed me to utilize what I learned in the classroom at Cornell. Each experience strengthened my commitment to learning as much as possible and caring thoughtfully for every animal.

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Working closely with Congolese staff showed me how conservation is inseparable from people. I learned how local knowledge, dedication, and long-term commitment are the foundation of successful conservation work. Seeing efforts to train, support, and empower local staff made it clear that protecting wildlife requires investing in the communities that share their environment. Everyday I was in awe of how JGI runs, and how much work they do to improve the lives of animals and the communities that surround them.

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By the end of six weeks, the unpredictability of each day felt energizing rather than overwhelming. I found that I thrive in environments that require adaptability, collaboration, and purpose. Through clinical work, field experiences, and daily life at the sanctuary, I gained clarity about what motivates me most. This experience confirmed that I want to build a career in wild primate medicine and conservation, combining veterinary medicine with behavioral understanding and field-based work. My time in the Congo did not just teach me new skills. It showed me the kind of veterinarian I want to become and the path I am excited to follow.