South Africa - Leopard Conservation and Research Project

African leopards are the last of the big five roaming free outside game reserves and
national parks putting them under many threats the leopard project aims to conserve and protect these amazing animals.

Predator training will be conducted by world renowned large predator expert Gerrie Camacho. Gerrie is one of the world’s leading experts in Lion and Leopard behaviour.

The reserve is NOT a big five reserve. There are no elephant, rhino, buffalo or lion. However, the reserve boosts some stunning general plains game such as, impala, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and many smaller carnivores. In addition, the reserve is situated in a mountainous region of South Africa, therefore sporting some of the most incredible and breath taking views.

Your Role

As a volunteer you will be actively involved with on-going research on the project. Although the project is mainly aimed at Leopard (Panthera pardus), the research is not limited to leopards, and may include hyena, honey badger, serval and caracal.

Volunteers can join for a minimum 4 weeks, up to 12 week period. Research work varies but you can expect to be involved with:

Camera Trapping: assisting with the construction of camera traps along trials and with the analysis of the results. The results are used for producing id kits and for data on behaviour, movement and population densities.

Tracking: you will be giving training in field tracking and spoor recognition, thereafter assisting with spoor surveys. This may also involve spoor casting to add to other field data for id kits.

Monitoring: The project monitors a number of animals via GPS and VHF tracking collars. You will be given prior training with equipment.

Wildlife Capture: The project often capture animals to fit GPS or VHF tracking collars before being released back to their home range. This varies from Leopard and Hyena to Serval and Caracal. You will be trained in the fundamentals of wildlife capture and actively assist with the work.

Typical day

An early start, up and out as possible before the sun is too high. As well as being cooler to walk it is also a lot easy to see spoor from the night before and track leopard movement.

Most of the morning is spent working in small teams tracking leopard movements. You need to be fit as this can mean walking 5-10 kilometres each day. GPS and other records are made such that when you return before lunch all data can be collated and discussions held as to leopard movement and behaviour.

After lunch there is usually time for a rest before going back onto the reserve to check camera traps and download photographs of leopard movement. After dinner there is usually time for the team to enjoy some social time, watch a DVD or enjoy a fireside chat.

Accommodation

Accommodation can vary whilst on the project, this due to the nomadic nature of some aspects of the research, which requires staff and volunteers to move around the reserve. Volunteers may stay at the research base which is set in the stunning depths of the reserves valleys.

The accommodation is camping style and very basic. However, there are fantastic semi-enclosed bush shower and toilets again with spectacular views. Both hot and cold water is available. There is no electricity at this camp and cooking is over a fire. If volunteers are staying here, trips to the other camp which has electricity and internet will be provided.

Volunteers may also be staying at the reserves lodge. The accommodation is luxury styled tents. Here food is cooked for you and there is electricity, internet (for a small fee) and hot water.

Requirements

• Volunteers must be 18 years of age

• Have a reasonable level of fitness
• English being the first or second language
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• If hiring a car in South Africa you must be 21 or over, have a full driver’s license and credit card with you.
• Please note that volunteers will be working with wild animals that are not habituated to humans, therefore it is important to remember we cannot guarantee you will see leopards. The work is indeed extremely rewarding and when sights happen they are even more special.
  
  

Additional Information

Includes:

• Training in research techniques
• Transport to and from Johannesburg airport
•  Accommodation
• 3 meals a day.

Excludes:

• International or domestic flights
• Travel insurance
• Visas
• Personal items
• Alcoholic beverages
  
  

Arrivals and Travel Information: Volunteers must fly to OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg South Africa. From here, the project will organise volunteers to catch the bushveld bus. Volunteers must then get off the bus at Lydenburg Wimpy, where they will be met by on the team. At the end of the stay, volunteers will be dropped off at the same point and catch the bush veld bus back. Please note that this expense is covered by the project.

2012 Dates
Arrival date	Pick up time in Lydenburg	Departure Date	Drop off time in Lydenburg
4th April	18:00	2nd May	07.15
2nd May	18:00	30th May	07.15
30th May	18:00	27th June	07.15
27th June	18:00	25th July	07.15
25th July	18:00	22nd August	07.15
22nd August	18:00	19th September	07.15
19th September	18:00	17th October	07.15
17th October	18:00	14th November	07.15
14th November	18:00	12th December	07.15