This program is focused on leading wildlife and conservation research techniques as well as practical habitat management.
Volunteers will support these projects both practically and in field as well as with backoffice data inputting and analysis.
Focused on conservation, sustainable development and wildlife research.
Projects and research you'll support during your program:
Rhino research and hormone monitoring
White and black rhino across Southern Africa increasingly rely on dehorning to remove the risk of poaching, although this humane procedure does no harm to the rhino physically, it does involve serious veterinary intervention and requires the animal to be anaesthetised.
Stress is an important factor in health, this pioneering research project is looking at the hormone levels of rhino in response to dehorning as a conservation procedure. Regularly monitor the rhinos movements, record their location and help with the sampling of dung and other biological materials for later analysis in a lab to monitor hormone levels over time.
Camera trap surveys and brown hyena research
Camera traps are
valuable tool for any ecologist or animal behaviourist. You'll learn how
to select sites for camera trap placement based on your understanding of
the animals behaviour deploying and collecting the equipment routinely. During this program, you'll focus on brown hyena using camera traps to target this rare and endangered species.
You'll also support with analysing the camera trap footage itself, supporting new scientific methods of individually identifying brown hyena based on unique features on the animal such as coat pattern or features.
K-9 anti-poaching patrols
Explore and patrol the reserve on foot in the company of the reserves anti-poaching team, the anti-poaching team relies on trained dogs to detect signs and smells of unauthorised people on the reserve.
Most poaching in Southern Africa is via snares and other traps, although these are only rarely found on the reserve, it still relies on you and other volunteers regularly patrolling to remove these snares and ensure poachers are discouraged from setting them. These patrols are also a great opportunity to explore the bush on foot, looking at smaller animals or plants missed on vehicle.
Wetland bird monitoring
The reserve is a vital habitat for many bird species, including seasonal migrants. Once a month, volunteers and researchers as a team will go to the various permanant water sources and habitats on the reserve to survey and record the species of birds sighted.
This surveying and monitoring work is critical for understanding population trends in birds based on climate change, habitat change or otherwise as a measurement for biodiversity. With over 350 species of birds found on the reserve, you'll quickly build your skills confidence with sighting and recording findings.
Nocturnal species surveying
For nocturnal species, once the sun has set this is only when their day begins. From volunteers and students comfortable with joining the nocturnal team of researchers, you'll support ongoing nocturnal surveys for a chance to record vital data to understand the lives of these more secretive and seldom seen species.
From Leopard, Aardvark, Porcupines, Hyena, Caracal or even the common Scrub Hare, these animals are equally important as day time species and need greater scientific research.
Tree and vegetation surveys
Support ongoing PhD and research projects in understanding the reserves vegetation and ecosystem health, vegetation is the basis of any food chain, use established and new habitat management techniques to record the composition and structure of the vegetation, food availability for herbivores or even manage and remove fire risk.
You'll also be able to understand what species of plant and vegetation are present on the reserve and how they preform vital functions to ensure its rich and varied biodiversity.
Emergency vet work and callouts
As part of ethical reserve management in South Africa, particular with endangered species such as rhino, regular veterinary work is essential for ensuring animals are healthy. This could be regular dehorning on the rhino, to vaccination work or even responding to emergencies.
(45)
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+
