The Department of Animal Sciences was established in 1921 with the appointment of its first lecturer, Prof JHW Th Reimers, who was head of the Department from 1921 to 1952. The Department is one of the oldest of its kind in Africa, and celebrated its 93rd birthday in 2014. The Department is recognized nationally and internationally for its outstanding research in the priority areas of animal nutrition, animal breeding, reproductive physiology, and meat science. Research activities focus on enhancing the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of animal production industries, nationally and internationally. Postgraduate projects encompass studies on various livestock species including dairy and beef cattle, sheep and goats, swine, poultry, ostriches, marine and freshwater aquaculture species, as well as wildlife.