About the program
Join a remote research-camp lifestyle on a large wildlife
reserve sandwiched between the Kruger National Park and Blyde river canyon, two
biodiversity strongholds. Work directly with keystone megafauna species such as
elephants, lions, wild dogs, buffalo, rhinos, hyenas, cheetahs and leopards.
This is ideal for university students on placement, travellers seeking
meaningful wildlife experience, or budding conservationists wanting hands-on
field research.
The reserve spans around 25,000 hectares and is a vast and
immersive landscape of river valleys, savannah, bushveld and towering rocky
outcrops. Discover it all as you search for protected or studied species and
support practical conservation in South Africa.
About the team
Work as a key member of a team of reserve ecologists, research experts and professional safari guides.
Although having an existing understanding of ecology, animal behaviour or conservation is useful, we're not expecting everyone joining us to have had direct experience working with African wildlife... passion and a willingness to learn is the main requirement for joining these projects!
You'll receive training and guidance in to all aspects of the projects, as well as broader context and insights into research techniques, results and practical methodologies, equipment usage as well as critical environmental and animal behaviour understanding needed for the success of projects.
About your role
You'll be expected to take part in the regular and ongoing research projects happening on the reserve, each project has specific methodologies, considerations or equipment required to locate, observe, record and analyse target species of megafauna successfully.
From supporting the deployment of specialist equipment, inputting data and results from findings in field, mapping or locating specific sights of interest related to the protection and understanding of endangered or research focused species to processing and analysing information back at camp.
This role will expect you to take part physically on foot as well as via vehicle as you support research, monitoring,
field-data collection, analysis and habitat management.
Projects volunteers will support
Elephant behavioural research and management – Join the
reserve that hosts the oldest studied elephant contraceptive program, this
program and research is essential for the future management of this complex and
social species – track and monitor movements in real time using traditional
techniques and with GPS/VHF telemetry equipment.
Lion monitoring & research – as the environments apex
predator, the effects and role lion have in an ecosystem is critical for maintaining
balance and health, track pride or individual territory, how the use the environment,
predator prey preferences, individual identification and heath monitoring.
Wild dog monitoring and protection – wild dog are Africa’s
most endangered predator, due to the behaviour of the animal and their need to
roam vast distances (encountering anthropogenic challenges) wild dog need additional
support and priority to student, protect and rewild populations. Help with
identifying den sites, following collared individuals, recording movements and
range.
Buffalo monitoring – Large herds
of large bulk grazing buffalo have a dramatic effect on habitat, controlling plant
populations or encouraging seed dispersal or soil health, take part in herd
counts, body condition monitoring, movement, or even research their ecological
role.
Hyena research – with a
population of both brown and spotted hyena, these animals act not just as a scavenging
clean-up crew essential for preventing disease outbreaks, but actively hunt
prey. Track and search for den site
location and scavenging vs hunting trends as well as gathering data relating to
individual identification or movements.
Rhino monitoring & protection – with a population of
both black and white rhino on the reserve, help track their movements and
provide security support through monitoring and to protect against poachers.
Cheetah & leopard research – these big cats have
different roles and effects in their ecosystem, selectively targeting various
species of herbivore from the size of birds up to antelope. Record hunting
success, competition with other species, camera-trap work and surveying.
Habitat management – as part of ongoing conservation
efforts, help support the environment in an active role, remove and target
invasive species of plant, bush control to encourage biodiversity or fire
mitigation, even soil and erosion control.
Project requirements and equipment
These research and conservation projects are long standing, with all scientific methods and ethics agreed and defined.
With your requirement of a willingness to learn, get a bit mucky and dirty and passion and empathy to support wildlife conservation actively, you'll have everything provided.
Prior to arrival we'll support you with kit lists and what to bring, but this will be limited to personal items such as binocular, note pads or outdoor appropriate clothing and shoes.
All equipment required for projects will be supplied onsite.
