Wildlife Conservation in the Philippines
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Course Description
Through partnership with (WVSU), this special topics field course will allow ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ students with a second year standing from the Bio-veterinary Science, Animal Science, or Dairy Program, to travel to Brgy. Jayobo, Lambunao, Iloilo, Philippines, to support the comfort, feed, and welfare of a variety of endangered animals at WVSU’s Wildlife Conservation Centre (WCC) at the . The WCC houses and breeds critically endangered species including Tarictic (Visayan Writhed Hornbill), Visayan Warty Pig, Dulungan (Walden’s Horbill) and Wild Cat (Maral) and Visayan Spotted deer. For the latter animal, there are a variety of national initiatives and research being conducted surrounding breeding, feed, and reintegration of the Visayan spotted deer in the regional forests. Dal AC students will be able to contribute to the great work accomplished at the campus, and gain experience that can strengthen their skills in animal science and bio-veterinary fields. This international experience will directly link to a learners resume and enrich the academic experience.
Why The Philippines?
The Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has designated the Lambunao Campus as a National Center of Development in the programs of Agriculture and Forestry. Both the faculty and students of WVSU-CAF actively engage in conducting highly relevant research that addresses societal needs and supports various national and international frameworks, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Research areas of interest include Native Animal Production, SMART Agriculture, Agroforestry, and Biodiversity Conservation. WVSU has aspirations to be a Global Research University in agriculture and is seeking international research partnerships to help achieve these goals.
Dal AC International and the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ Faculty of Agriculture both have interested in working towards the SDGs and additionally have overlapping research interested with WVSU. Dal AC International has partnered with WVSU and will seek to update and modernize the exhibits at the Wildlife Conservation Centre to ensure the best animal welfare for the species being housed at the Centre. Of utmost importance to the WCC is to develop locally sourced, sustainable, economic and nutritionally rich feed sources. As partners, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ could work with WVSU to design, source funding and build updated exhibits that focus on animal welfare and comfort, develop nutritionally rich local feeds, and continue research and work on rehabilitation and conservation of the species. Â
Activities Can Include:
- Smart Farm Tours
- Experiencing the Boat Festival
- Indigenous Cooking Classes
- Assisting in Artificial Insemination of WCC Animals
- Visayan Deer Handling
- Milking and Pregnancy Testing of WCC Animals
- Cultural Tours and Handling of Sea Turtles
- Veterinary Clinic Immersion
Next Offering
May 2026
Application Deadline
November 2nd, 2025, at 11:59pm.
Location(s)
Instructors
TBD
Estimated Cost
$7500 - $7700
Included: airfare, accommodations, meals, local transportation, travel and health insurance, lectures and activities, park entrance fees.
Excluded: course & tuition fees, required vaccinations and physician consults, personal purchases such as souvenirs.
Funding Assistance
Study/Work International Fund (SWIF)
Students are invited to submit an application to the Study/Work International Fund (SWIF). SWIF was established by ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ University as part of the Student Assistance Program, SWIF provides financial assistance to ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ and King's students who want to take part in an international field course or study abroad. There is a maximum award of $2,000 CAD per applicant. SWIF supports study, work, or practicum placements for which ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ University will give a degree credit.
Deadlines for submitting your funding application vary depending on the term of your international experience. Deadlines are as follows:
Fall: September 30
Winter: January 31
Summer: May 31
For more information on SWIF funding and to apply you may visit the Halifax campus International Learning Experience Page.
For assistance or further inquiry regarding SWIF funding, please contact intdalac@dal.ca.