Facilitated Lion Research Project Detail

On the banks of the Zambezi as it topples over the Victoria Falls lies the c.6, 600ha Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. The Park is home to abundant wildlife, including giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) and white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). Contiguous to the wildlife areas of Zimbabwe the Park is utilized by predators such as the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus). 

The Park is also home to stage one of the African Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild Program. Immediately north, lies the Dambwa Forest within which we are commencing construction of stages tow and three release sites. The Forest comprises uninhabited indigenous forest with undulating open savannah grasslands. At present, the Forest is denuded of game species, but elephants are regular transient visitors. Livingstone town centre is a short drive from the project's base, as well as numerous rural communities offering many further study opportunities.

Set within the spectacular 56, 200ha Zambezi National Park, our Victoria Falls program includes stage one of the African Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild Program as well as opportunities to study a wide variety of fauna and flora species. Contiguous with the Kazuma Pan " Matetsi " Hwange complex, the Park is wild with bush and big game and stretches along the Zambezi River for 40 kilometres. Victoria Falls is part of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, established with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

The Victoria Falls National Park is home to a unique floral community. A relic of a rainforest that closely resembles that of a true equatorial rainforest; the vegetation being supported by a seasonal spray from the Falls themselves. The town of Victoria Falls and the surrounding communities are located within the National Park. This constant interaction between wildlife and people provides many opportunities for study.

A private 3,000 acre game reserve of mixed Acacia and Miombo woodland, and home to the African Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild program.The Park is currently home to our breeding base and operates stage one of the four-stage program during which cubs up to 18-months old go through their pre-release training prior to release into stage two. This is currently also the only location where our Night Encounter program takes place " seeing young lions aged 18-months to two-and-a half years taken out after dark to further hone their hunting skills.

Antelope Park is also home to many game species, and as well as stage one of the program several stage two sites are being constructed on land adjacent to the Park. These release areas will offer students unparalleled opportunities to study lions in their natural environment.

Study themes and priorities:
The variety of research projects that are made possible by our facilitation process is endless and can include a vast range of disciplines from animal welfare, ecology, sociology, development and so on. As soon as you have an idea of what you want to study just let us know and we will discuss how best to achieve your aims within the local framework.

Recent studies facilitated by ALERT include:

Our Facilitated Research Program provides you with a network of support and guidance throughout the research process to enable you to complete your study to the highest possible standard.

The first step is to prepare a draft research proposal. Our experienced staff will assist you with this process based on their first-hand  knowledge of our project sites to ensure that your proposed study is viable given the resources available at each site. 

 
Once your research proposal is prepared it will be presented to our panel of experts for their feedback. Based on this evaluation your proposal may be accepted or we may ask that further consideration is given before resubmission. This process is to assist you in developing a proposal that is of the highest possible standard and effectiveness.

The panel will also decide at this stage whether a subsidy will be offered to help fund your research. Specialist equipment for study can be arranged by ALERT at additional cost provided enough notice is given before your arrival. Some research proposals may also need to be accepted by the regional wildlife management authority and may require the purchase of a study permit. In such cases ALERT will facilitate this acceptance and permit application process but please be aware that this can cause significant delays.

Once you have been accepted on to one of our programs we will put you in touch with our Scientific Officer and project-based research technicians who will assist you in preparing your field study to ensure that you get the most out of your time in Africa.

After arriving at your study location, you will meet our project-based research technician who will provide you with logistical support throughout your stay to ensure your data collection is carried out effectively. The research technician will induct you into the facilities available at your chosen study site and give you any necessary safety and procedural training. For example, in the case of studies conducted at our stage one lion projects you will be trained in the lion handling skills necessary to work alongside them safely. 

At some sites, where dangerous game roams freely, it may be necessary for you to be accompanied by experienced guides and scouts. We can also provide this for you. 

 
Throughout your stay in Africa you will have continued remote access to our Scientific Officer to discuss how your field work is progressing and to assist with any problems that you may discover putting your methodology into practice. At most of our project locations we also operate eco-tourist volunteer programs. These individuals from all walks of life around the globe can be available to assist your data collection if required.

Even once you have returned home we will continue to support you. As you proceed with writing up your study you will have continued access to our Scientific Officer to discuss your results and their interpretation.


Other benefits to letting ALERT facilitate your research study:

To further assist you we will arrange for your collection from the nearest airport to your chosen study site, as well as provide comfortable but basic accommodation and three meals a day throughout your stay. Additional resources, such as transport or research equipment can also be made available to you. The details of what resources are available differs from site to site and will be discussed with you during the preparation of you project proposal. What is not already available on site can usually be arranged if we have enough notice of your needs and may or may not incur additional charges.

Your study may allow you some free time, and if so you have the opportunity to take part in a number of optional activities, many at no additional cost, depending on your project location. These could include visits to your host country's many cultural sites and natural wonders. You could bungee off the Victoria Falls Bridge, take a horse ride through a National Park, swim on the back of an African elephant or lend a hand at a local orphanage. 

We will provide you with the details of all these options before your departure to Africa and our locally based staff will assist you to arrange any activities that you are interested in taking part in.