South Africa - Lion Ecology and Monitoring Programme

This volunteer wildlife research programme provides a fantastic opportunity to work alongside professional researchers, assisting with the long term studies of lion ecology and behaviour.

Additionally, you will also have the pleasure of monitoring and recording data on other species such as leopards, cheetah, elephant, and white rhino. Here volunteers will learn necessary field research skills and techniques use specific equipment, learn about flora and fauna identification and issues relating to conservation in the area. The data collected plays a vital role in the conservation and management of not only this reserve but for management of conservation areas throughout South Africa. The research base is located on a 30,000hectare private game reserve which is full of an array of Southern Africa’s most spectacular wildlife.

Your Role

As a volunteer you can expect to be involved with numerous tasks such as:

• Determining and monitor predator numbers
• Monitor the feeding behaviour, prey selection, kill frequencies, and the ecological impact of lion and other predators in the reserve.
• Monitor the social dynamics of the projects resident lion population.
• Monitor the spatial movements and territories of predators and mega herbivores in the reserve.
• Habituate elephants and develop their identification kits.
• Monitor the conditions of white rhino in the reserve.
• Collar and habituate resident leopards

The data that is collected by volunteers and staff is used as a valuable wildlife management tool both on the projects reserve and in other areas. The data and reports are additionally sent to well respected academic institutions databases. Conservation areas will then be able to make informed decisions that may affect the balance of ecosystems and help them to restore farmland to wilderness in a sustainable way.

Typical day

A typical day on the reserve would involve an early research drive with refreshments in the bush. It is a very early start, as the carnivores are mainly active during the night and early mornings.

Arriving back for a hearty breakfast, followed by spare time to organise and enter data, partake in various tutorials, prepare for the next drive or just relax. Late afternoon early evening sees another research drive, arriving back at base in the evening for dinner in the boma.

Accommodation

Volunteers live in a rustic but comfortable farmhouse in a secluded location inside the reserve. The view from the boma is of the magnificent hills and plains of this nature reserve in Limpopo Province: no roads, no pylons, no factories and no other people - just you and the African wilderness.

The house contains communal same sex bedrooms and a communal lapa and braai area. Hot water is supplied by a wood-fired boiler and the house is equipped with solar electricity and paraffin lanterns.

Volunteers are provided with ingredients but are expected to prepare meals for the group and complete house duties on a daily basis. Town trips are often necessary to replenish supplies.

You have the opportunity, if space allows, to accompany these town trips to check your email, phone home and stock up on chocolate!!

The house gets frequent visits from elephants and nocturnal wildlife - the lion's roar or the hyenas whoop is often your sunrise wake-up call.

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.
  
  

Additional Information

The programme runs throughout the year with a maximum of 12 volunteers at a time. The minimum volunteer duration is 2 weeks and the maximum is 12 weeks; if you stay for 8 weeks or more you qualify for free annual membership with FGASA and a chance to complete your level 1 theory qualification through staff support and independent study.

Includes:

• Accommodation
• Food
• Training and equipment
• Transfers to and from Phalaborwa airport

Excludes:

• International Flights and domestic flights
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal items
• Volunteer activities outside of the project
• Travel insurance
• Visas
  
  

Arrivals and Travel Information: Volunteers must fly to Phalaborwa airport in South Africa, where they will be met by on the team. At the end of the stay, volunteers will be dropped off at the same airport.