‘I never wanted to be a princess – becoming a veterinarian was my dream,’ says UP lecturer and wildlife specialist Dr Katja Koeppel

Abstract

If a wild animal is in distress anywhere in the country, veterinarian Dr Katja Koeppel, a senior lecturer in Wildlife at the University of Pretoria (UP), is likely to be called upon to help. As the go-to person who rescues animals, she can be called upon at any time of the day. “I decided that I wanted to become a vet when I was four years old,” says the German-born vet. “I never wanted to be a princess or an astronaut – becoming a veterinarian was my dream.” She spent her school holidays working with her uncle who was an equine veterinarian in Germany, and eventually began studying Veterinary Science at Glasgow University. Dr Koeppel started out working with small animals and horses, but soon realised that her passion was wildlife.