Tales of an African Vet

Book excerpt: When do you watch a wild animal suffer and let nature take its course, and when do you intervene? In his more than twenty-five years as an African vet, Roy Aronson has tended to a two-ton rhino that lost its horn after colliding with a concrete wall, facilitated the miraculous recovery of a squirrel monkey, performed eye surgery on a lion out in the bush, and treated a hedgehog that had been mauled by a dog. He has also worked with some of Africa’s most dedicated conservationists and wildlife veterinarians. He has witnessed their passion and bravery and been with them when hard decisions had to be made. Tales of an African Vet brings together Dr. Aronson’s adventures in a rare behind-the-scenes look at those who treat wild animals in their natural habitats. Whether you are drawn to outdoor adventure stories, African wildlife, or the veterinarian’s trade, you will find this a riveting read, filled with rich insights into both the animal and human cultures of Africa.