Students from the College of Veterinary Medicine had the chance to study African wildlife during a three-week trip to Kenya.

“Students participating in this program had a chance to study wildlife, livestock and human interaction with animals,” said Ron Myers, professor of veterinary pathology.

Rachel Fedje, sophomore in veterinary medicine, said she had wonderful experiences in Kenya.

“When we visited the national parks, we came upon groups of lions which were only five or six feet away from our vehicles,” she said. “It was amazing to know how close we were able to get with those wild animals and [that we] saw them in normal habitats, not in the zoo.”

Fedje said she was excited to have a chance to enjoy Kenya’s scenic views.

“In an hour of driving, the landscape could change from dry savannah to lush green grasses,” she said.

The 20 students who went on the trip in May received special training and visited several places.

They learned about wildlife diseases and management from faculty at the University of Nairobi. The Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institution taught them how to maintain wildlife and fauna. They also attended sessions organized by the International Livestock Research Institute.

The students visited several reservations and national parks, such as Maasai Mara Camp and Meru National Park, where they explored agriculture, ecology and the environment.

They also observed human communities and traditional cultures.

“I felt that we got treated a little too nice as tourists,” Fedje said.