Big Cat Conservation and Large Mammal Research in KwaZulu-Natal
Undertake pioneering work on large mammal
research with a focus on Big Cats in one of South Africa’s most
exquisite regions! Help stop the persecution of Leopards and give
something back! This project is exciting, lots of fun, adventurous and
enjoyable - and very worthwhile! Your assistance here is crucial to its
success.
No formal training is required. On arrival you'll
receive a full orientation, followed by continuous training in order to
give you a baseline understanding of big mammal conservation, especially
big cats as well as the South African bush and research in the field. You'll learn
about conservation, reserve management, animal identification, tracking,
tree identification and ecology. You'll also learn to use a telemetry
tracking system, GPS, ArcView and Cartalinx.
The ultimate goal of this project is to facilitate
a nation wide study of leopards, their distribution and abundance and
need for protection in South Africa. Currently daily monitoring is
focused on Cheetah and Lion and quantify their impact in terms of
feeding behavior, territories etc in view of their competition with
leopard. This is the first phase of this project.
As more funding becomes available the collaring of the reserves leopards
will be facilitated and the daily work will become more and more focused
on leopard.
You'll be hands-on working alongside researchers
in the field where they will use a telemetry and GPS to locate animals
daily and record information. Throughout your stay you'll learn
continuously about the animals you're tracking and the environment in
which they live, as well as how everything interacts to maintain an
ecological balance. You'll leave this project armed with an immense
knowledge of African ecology, an appreciation and respect for
conservation, and plenty of photographs, new-found friends and happy
memories!
Alongside your work with Big
Cats, you'll also study movement and feeding behaviour of non-collared
animals like elephants, rhinos, giraffes and hippos and various smaller
mammals such as serval, caracal, jackal and aardwolf. Project
activities on game reserves are influenced by season changes and the
research activities may change from time to time, for example, when a
new predator is introduced to the reserve or funding becomes available
for additional collaring, etc. What is for sure is no two days are the
same in the bush and you will learn and see something new every day!
This is an excellent project and we highly recommend it.
WHO SHOULD VOLUNTEER?
You do not need any formal skills to volunteer:No previous
experience or foreign language skills are required. However, good
English and an understanding of computers is essential. You should have
a strong interest in wildlife and conservation and be prepared to help
with all the activities. Days can be hot and dusty - be prepared for
some basic living. You must be enthusiastic, adventurous and respectful
of your host country’s culture and environment.
For serious conservation students,
the
Research Organisation’s student programme accepts one or two undergraduates or
postgraduate volunteers looking for practical experience in a Big Five
reserve in South Africa carrying out their own data collection while
working alongside researchers. The Research Centre is closely linked to
the University of Natal and the University of Tswane and Degree and MSc
theses are undertaken under the guidance of the staff. Ask your Travellers consultant for more
details if you are interested.
The
greatest threat facing our planet is people and our lack of respect for that
which sustains us. We can irreversibly damage our world - or we can
introduce the changes required to avert environmental disaster.
Conservation, research and education programmes are vital if we are to curb
the declining wildlife numbers.
The
Research Organisation we work with is a registered non-profit organization in
South Africa that has been saving wildlife since 1999 through engaging
people in scientific research and education to promote the understanding and
action necessary to protect endangered species and conserve the natural
environment and ecological processes in small-enclosed reserves.
Their
mission is to undertake scientific research on wildlife and ecology in order
to provide sound scientific information and advice to the individuals
responsible for making decisions and passing resolutions that ultimately
affect wildlife and their conservation.
Funds
raised from this volunteer programme go directly back into improving on the
research that they are already doing and upgrading vehicles and equipment.
The main objective is to use funds facilitated by this volunteer programme
to fund an intensive and dedicated Leopard Research Programme on the reserve
and to extend that programme nationwide.
About the GAME RESERVE CONSERVANCY
The project
is located on a beautiful private game conservancy situated in the
Battlefields Area of KwaZulu-Natal and comprises
20,000 acres of malaria-free valleybushveld,
at an altitude of approximately 1100m above sea level. It has the Big Five (buffalo,
elephant, leopard, lion and rhino).
Currently
there are over thirty other species of game, including giraffe, hippo,
hyena, impala, springbok, and zebra. It has an incredible biodiversity
including savannah, grasslands, thornveld and tall acacia trees. The Sundays
River flows through the Reserve and has two 40 metre waterfalls with
magnificent ravine bush, home to several rare bird species. The Reserve
receives most of its rain during the summer months (October to April), with
an annual average of 600mm.
The
Elandslaagte area boasts a history that dates back to the late 1800’s, where
some of the bloodiest battles in history were fought. Zulus, Boers, and
British forces clashed over land and sovereignty. The Battle of Elandslaagte,
(one of the first in the Anglo-Boer War), took place at one of the gates to
the reserve and the original hospital still stands within its boundaries.
The area is
very scenic and has some spectacular views. This is a developing malari-free
“Big Five” area for the Province and is popular for its easy access and
stunning scenery. The Reserve is a two and a half hour drive from Durban, or
three and a half hours from Johannesburg, and approximately 2 hours from
Pietermaritzburg where our regional Travellers office is situated.
Background to Large Mammal Research:
The project is undertaking pioneering research work on large mammals in
an enclosed eco-system. The overall objectives of the project are to
monitor the effects of fences on the animals in several reserves and provide
the data to those reserves so that they can make accurate and informed
decisions to manage their land and wildlife in a balanced way.
The project offers exclusive and hands-on work alongside a leading
researcher in the field. A maximum of 4 students will use telemetry and
GPS equipment to locate animals daily, observe them in their natural
environment and record behavioural information.
The cheetah monitoring in particular will require you to walk into their
location when the situation is safe and data cannot be obtained from the
vehicle.
If telemetry collars need to be changed or fitted to new animals, you will
be hands on in locating the animal, measuring the animal and taking genetic
samples.
Data collection and input is probably the most vital output from the field
activities and you will be taught how to record and input data using Excel
and ArcView.
Scientific data collected is also applied for master’s and PHD projects, as
well as towards answering some of the more pressing questions regarding
the conservation of large and endangered mammals in South Africa.
One of the topics this project aims to inform is the distribution and
abundance of one of South Africa’s most enigmatic large cats, the Leopard.
Despite the fact that leopards hold enormous tourism value due to their
charismatic nature and profile as one of South Africa’s “Big Five”, they
continue to be hunted, persecuted and forced out of their natural range.
Background to Upcoming Leopard Research:
The perception is that leopards are everywhere. Unfortunately, the two major
factors that appear to limit the distribution of this tough and versatile
animal are the presence of competitors and humans. Little is known about
leopard numbers or their distribution and yet South Africa continues to make
conservation and management decisions regarding the fate of leopards.
The next phase of this project due to be implemented shortly, is a proposed
five-year research programme which will be used to predict ecological
disturbance in human-dominated landscapes. Because leopards have large home
ranges; occur at low density; have low reproductive rates; highly acute
sensory systems that make them susceptible to human activity and changes in
the configuration and connectivity of habitats, the research program will
not be confined to the immediate area, but will also be collected from all
over South Africa in order fully understand the population density,
distribution and the effect the current threats have on isolated and
fragmented populations.
Initial work on this proposed study will be confined to the project’s
priority area in KwaZulu-Natal. Leopard numbers here are thought to be very
low due to centuries of human persecution. It is imperative that leopard
figures within the surrounding areas are determined and a conservation
education program established or the remaining leopards in the majority of
this province could be permanently eradicated.
Project Objectives:
The overall aims and objectives of the project are to monitor the effects of
fences on the animals in several reserves and provide the data to those
reserves so accurate and informed decisions can be made to keep the animals
and their habitat balanced.
In a fairly new reserve, a
lot of groundwork is usually required to establish a smooth ecological
balance. The Project is currently involved in daily monitoring of cheetah,
hyena and lion using radio telemetry, in order to establish their movement
patterns, feeding behaviour and breeding behaviour. The aims of the
research are:
To determine the
impact of reintroduced mammals on game reserves and to help with their
management and conservation. Research of this kind will play an
important part in the management of future conservation areas.
To investigate the
impact predators have on the prey species for more effective
conservation and management of these valuable resources.
To establish and
monitor the density of large predators within the reserve.
To record prey
selection and kill frequencies and the impact on prey populations.
To monitor movement
patterns, territories and competition between predators on the reserve.
To investigate the
reserve's prey populations, distribution and density and how this
relates to the predators movements and territories.
ABOUT
YOUR WORK
Lion darting and measuring
Leopard Tracks
Cheetah darting - carrying out vital measurements while
the animal is sedated
No formal training is
required. On arrival you will receive a full orientation, followed by
continuous training in order to give you a baseline understanding of the
South African bush and research in the field. Training includes;
conservation, reserve management, bird/mammal/reptile identification,
tracking, tree identification and ecology. You will also be trained to use a
telemetry tracking system, GPS, ArcView and Cartalinx.
You'll work alongside
researchers in the field where they will use a telemetry and GPS to locate
animals daily and record the required information. You'll also have the
opportunity to use the telemetry and walk into cheetah when situations are
safe and the information required can not be obtained from the vehicle.
If a collar needs
changing, you'll be involved in locating the animal, measuring the animal
and taking genetic samples. Data collection and input will be an important
part and you will learn: how to record and input data using Excel and ArcView.
You'll also study movement
and feeding behaviour of non-collared animals like elephants, rhinos,
giraffes and hippos and various smaller mammals such as serval, caracal,
jackal and aardwolf. The Centre has also compiled mammal and bird lists
which they continually add to at each new sighting to give them an idea of
species diversity.
The first annual aerial
herbivore count has been carried out, and follow-up counts over the years
will indicate trends in population growth or decline. Vegetation surveys are
carried out to record the positions and dimensions of a certain tree
species, the Highveld Cabbage Tree, which is alleged to be favoured by
elephants. Continuous monitoring of these recorded trees will, over time,
show whether elephants are over-utilising this species in the region.
There are several other
small projects currently being undertaken that you may become involved in,
including giraffe feeding behaviour, compiling an Identity kit for all study
animals on the Reserve, and compiling a photographic faeces catalogue.
Daily Routine:
This routine, plus the elements of your work activities, could change
depending on what is required at the time you're there, but is likely to be
very similar to what's given here:
Research drives are
conducted twice daily: the morning drive leaves the house at 5am and usually
returns at approximately 10:30am. In the afternoon, drives leave at 3pm and
return at approximately 8pm. Two vehicles go out on each drive and cover
different animals or parts of the reserve. Three times a week, one staff
member will go out extremely early (3:45am – 8:30am), and then in the
afternoon go out later (5pm – 9:30pm), in order to obtain more data on
nocturnal animals.
On research drives, you'll
alternate between doing the radio telemetry and recording the data. You'll
also help staff members check the vehicles before the morning drive (oil,
water, brake fluid, tyres etc.) and take turns with other volunteers to help
staff wash the vehicles once a week.
Roughly once a week,
you'll be allocated an off-day or office-day. During the midday period
between research drives, the vehicles and their data folders are not in use
and during this time you'll check both data folders and enter into the
computer all the data that the researchers have recorded in the folder. When
done on a weekly basis, this usually does not take very long, and the rest
of the day is considered your own time, to sleep in, catch up on reading, do
laundry and generally relax.
Roughly once a week there
will be the following activities:
A long walk through
the northern part of the reserve (currently fenced off from the main
section where the large animals are).
A picnic lunch at the
waterfall.
A morning/afternoon
spent measuring cabbage trees.
The Reserve is well
stocked and you are likely to come across the following species during your
placement:
Species
Approximate Population size in the Conservancy
Blesbok
480+
Blue Wildebeest
200+
Buffalo
30+ to be introduced by end of May
Cheetah
4
Dassies
60+
Eland
200+
Elephant
13
Gemsbok
37
Giraffe
29
Hartebeest
40+
Hippopotamus
6
Hyena
3
Impala
2200+
Kudu
450+
Leopard
4
Lion
4
Mountain Reedbuck
35+
Nyala
80+
Oribi
4
Ostrich
7
Reedbuck
30+
Rhino
7
Springbok
110+
Steenbok
16
Warthog
60+
Waterbuck
25+
Zebra
130+
VOLUNTEER OUTCOMES
Project Leader Brigitte reading a map
“I met a lot of nice people, who are working on a great
project. I saw a lot of amazing things. It was a great experience, and what
makes me even happier is the fact that I learned so much (telemetry, animal
behaviours...). I enjoyed driving with Cailey and Brigitte, especially because
you stopped a lot to explain things we saw along the road, without anyone asking
for it. I learned a bit about Arcview and I really enjoyed it.”
Agnes Pelletier
For the Reserve it is of great importance that you make a positive contribution, not
only through your presence and participation in projects, but also by acquiring
definite ownership of what you are doing.
At the end of your period on this project, the aim is that you should:
Have a good knowledge of
big African cats and other big mammals
Have a certain knowledge, understanding
and appreciation for ecological systems and their interaction with, and
influence on one another
Appreciate the importance of the data
collected and understand the processes involved in the implementation of
strategies to address questions raised by processed data
Understand
general animal behaviour
Understand the importance of
conservation, research and the necessity of conservation education
Experience personal and social
development through living and working with people from different backgrounds
and cultures with similar passions and the same universal goal
Understand the principle of:
conservation = teamwork
Leave Africa knowing you have made a
huge contribution towards conservation.
“What
I liked best about the project… I saw a cheetah making a kill, and lions on a
hunt. We discovered one of the cheetahs with 4 kittens just 2 days old. When the
Big elephant tried to impress the car. 5000 kg standing right in front of the
car is impressive. The BBQ’s we had with the other people working in the
reserve. Rangers and other people managing of the reserve. I had some goods
laughs and drinks with these people. The swims at the waterfall. I just loved
them. The staff members. Being so nice to us all the time. Giving us all the
information about everything. And the helicopter flight. We were just lucky that
we were there at the right moment. And many, many more. Just too many to tell
all. You just have to experience yourself.” Wouter Talsma
“I had an amazing time. If anything,
[the Research Centre] more than met all of my aims. I felt that my telemetry
came on well, and I really enjoyed learning to use it. I also learnt so much
about the animals which was my ultimate aim! My expectations were totally blown
out of the water. I thought I might be stuck in the office all the time, instead
I did only the occasional session, which was a nice change to the routine. And
the house was so much more comfortable and homely than I expected.”
Fae Austin
YOUR
ACCOMMODATION
Due to the nature
of the environment in which you work (a Game Reserve with dangerous
animals roaming wild!), you won't be able to leave the Research Base at
any time without the accompaniment of a Centre staff member.
The Research
Base consists of a large house at the North-eastern end of the property,
with a view over the Sunday’s River. The garden is very large,
completely fenced and filled with fruit trees. There is hot water and
electricity, and the water is safe to drink. The Base has a washing
machine, a washing line in the garden and an ironing board, plus
facilities to do your washing.
There are
several bedrooms, and depending on volunteer numbers, you may be sharing
rooms. The house has 2 bathrooms, one with a bath and one with a shower,
a large office, lounge and large kitchen. There is a safe where you may
lock up passports and/or money for safe-keeping during your stay.
The Centre has
a library of reference books that can be used to look up any interesting
plants or animals you might see, and to learn a little more about it.
There is a TV and DVD player at the house, although excessive TV use is
not recommended because you're encouraged to make the most of being in
the bush, rather than sitting indoors in front of the TV. There is good
mobile phone reception at the house, and pay-as-you-go simcards for
local networks.
Food is
provided for basic meals. Each house member will be assigned a day for
cooking and a day for washing up on an alternating rota. Main meals are
eaten at lunchtime and light meals in the evenings. If you have any
dietary allergies or religious restrictions, these can be catered for if
we're given sufficient notification.
Town trips into
Ladysmith occur roughly once a week to do grocery shopping, use the
internet and post office, etc. This is subject to minor change. Due to
limited seating in the vehicles, you may only get to go to town once
every 2 weeks, depending on volunteer numbers. You'll also be shown the
British and Afrikaner memorials at the gates and, if you're interested,
there is a small Memorial Museum in town that you can visit on one of
the town trips.
WHAT TO TAKE When you apply, we will provide you with a detailed list of what to
take with you, including our recommendations, but in the meantime, here
are some tips:
Luggage – A
rucksack or suitcase is adequate, keeping in mind the weight
limitations of your chosen airline. A day-pack is necessary for
everyday use.
Clothing –
The weather in South Africa is extremely variable. May to September
are our winter months and temperatures can be as low as -6°C,
particularly in the early mornings and late evenings. Bear in mind
that these are the times you will be working, and that you will be
on the back of an open vehicle so there will be a wind-chill factor.
It is best to have layers of clothing rather than one big jacket,
and then you can peel them off as it warms up. Summer is hot, and
temperatures peak in the high 30’s in December, January and
February, so shorts and t-shirts are recommended.
Although
most rain falls in summer, it can rain at any time of year so
waterproof clothing is essential, and a warm jacket and fleece even
in summer, as there may be cold spells.
Walking
boots are essential for everyday use, and sandals or comfortable
shoes for off-time.
Long-sleeved shirts and trousers are recommended for evenings as
mosquitoes are common in summer.
Clothes
should preferably be hard-wearing khakis. No bright colours or
bright whites for research drive.
The summer
sun is harsh, a wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses are
recommended.
Also bring
swimming gear in case you get the opportunity to swim.
A good
sunscreen (30+) and a water bottle are essential.
Other useful
items –
A mosquito
net is recommended if you are prone to insect bites, as well as a
good insect repellent (for mosquitoes and ticks).
Most common
toiletries are available in town, but in case you don’t get a chance
to go to town soon after your arrival, bring about 2 weeks worth to
last you.
Binoculars
are really beneficial for viewing birds or animals in thick bush.
A good
quality camera is beneficial, as you will have many unique
opportunities to get excellent photos. Bring spare batteries and
extra film, and if it’s a digital, bring your cable as you can
download your photos and burn them to CD.
Torch/flashlight – a head torch is a good idea for night research.
Alarm clock
– for early mornings!!
Ipod and
your music
For ladies
– A Smart Dress that ends below the knee and doesn’t have a plunging
neckline (not revealing) - especially those that come to KZN as you
never know when you get invited to a VIP function. (It is a sign of
disrespect in Zulu culture for women to wear trousers in the
presence of their elders!). In general this should be the rule when
travelling, one decent outfit and pair of shoes as you never know
who you may meet or what opportunity you get an invited to.
TRAVEL:
You have the option to arrange your
own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would
like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights
and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will
be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Ltd., ATOL No. 6856. (Read more about Murray Rogers Travel Ltd.)
Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the
same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other
volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up
before leaving for your placement.
We can also arrange your flight
dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling
around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!
Where possible, all flights we arrange for you
have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend
their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets
enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air
ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour
to get a changeable ticket. We meet you at the airport regardless of whether you
make your own travel arrangements or not.
You will
usually
fly into the Airport in Johannesburg
where you'll transfer to Ladysmith by bus.
Alternatively you can fly into Pietermaritzburg or Durban from where you will be
met at the airport and get a private transfer to the project.
VISAS: In countries where visas or immigration documents
are required, we'll send you all the necessary forms and information and make
the process very easy for you.
To read about the extensiveSupport & Backup we provide in our countries,
please click here.
PRICES
To see the Prices of this project and all
our other projects in South Africa, please
click here
Prices
include
Food & accommodation while on your project,
unless otherwise stated,
A T-shirt.
All support and backup
during your programme
Meeting you in Ladysmith,
but exclude international travel.
.
+44 01903 502595
