Large Predators Research & Conservation Project, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Detail

Large Predators Research & Conservation Project, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

To give you an idea of how your time will be split between the different aspects of the program, the following should be taken as an approximation:

Big Five Research and Monitoring 40-50%

Conservation work within the Park 30-40%

Data Recording 10-20%

During your volunteering time you will be specifically focusing on the hunting, social, territorial and reproductive behaviours of the lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena populations.  Other data will also be collected to improve our understanding of the behaviours and you may be involved with observations.

Wildlife monitoring is essential for keeping track of animal movement patterns, habitat utilization, population demographics, snaring and poaching incidents and breakouts. This valuable information, which you will collect, has numerous applications needed for the conservation and protection of these animals.
This project will give you the opportunity to learn about these beautiful animals as well as give you an authentic experience of life in the African bush.  You will be working in a changing, dynamic environment which is determined by the movement and activities of the animals.  Each individual contribution is significant in helping us to achieve our long term goals.

Your role as a volunteer will include:
• Collating and recording research data on the lions, leopards, cheetah and hyenas. This will involve being in the bush to observe hunting, social, breeding and territorial behaviour at various different times of the day.
• Be involved in night drives to monitor the movements of the predators
• Capturing data as required by the reserve management team on their ongoing endangered species work
• Finding and removing snares. This is a vital part of the anti-poaching effort within a park
• Carrying out physical work to help regenerate natural bush from reclaimed farmland including the prevention of further soil erosion and the removal of old structures to avoid injuries for animals
• Contributing to the long term strategy of removal of Alien Plants from the park