CONSERVATION & WILDLIFE ECOLOGY, SWAZILAND
Short description
AA community development and wildlife research organization was Founded in 2004. Combining internships/volunteer work in social development, conservation and education with adventure tours. As an intern you will experience hands-on field research relevant to the Conservation of Savannah ecosystems in Africa. Join us and study birds, reptiles, ungulates, rodents, small predators, bats, vegetation and a variety of other plant and animal life in one of southern Africa’s most unique Conservation areas within a global biodiversity hot-spot of different National Parcs.
Country: Swaziland
Category: Wildlife Ecology
Project duration: Ongoing
Minimum length of stay: 2 weeks till maximum 12 weeks (longer only possible in combination with project in South Africa)
Starting period: 1st Monday of the month year round (Please ensure that your flight arrives BEFORE 1:00 pm)
Project closed in November & December!
Number of students: 1-10
Project fields: Wildlife sciences, Animal studies, Agriculture, Nature, Environmental, Biology, Ecology,
Conservation
Project description
Investigate the interface among protected areas, rural communities and commercial agriculture in Swaziland’s Lubombo Conservancy while based in the private Mbuluzi Game Reserve and also working in neighbouring Hlane Royal National Park and Mlawula Nature Reserve. Although Savannah’s are well represented in African Conservation areas, they are subjected to increasing degradation as a result of human influences through land use and climate change. Though well known for large charismatic game such as elephants, rhinos and lions, there are a variety of smaller species that are threatened and are arguably more important to the functioning of Savannah’s.
Goal: Developing research and field techniques which:
● Support any additional assistance which may be required
● Support of intern project coordinators who are experts in their fields which ensures the intern experience is valuable
The internship
Role of the intern:
Aiming for skills transfer next to leaving behind materials and methods that can be used in terms of sustainability.
Specific activities:
– Biodiversity monitoring
– Data gathering and GPS tracking
– Weighing, measuring, tagging and banding young birds (especially raptors), bats and reptiles (lizards and tortoises)
– Monitor their condition
– Enable the study of their population dynamics and dispersal
– Fitting radio-transmitters to track the animals
– Determine their home range, distribution and movements
The facilities
Supervision: assigned Mentor on at least Bachelor level
Workspace for intern: in the field within the conservation areas and National Parcs
Let’s Go Africa intern/volunteer packages include:
- Suitable project with project description according to all criteria
- Pre-departure introduction & safety meeting
- Visa application (and extension) assistance + flight booking assistance
- Accommodation in 2-man tent in Savannah Research Centre within Game Reserve
- 3 meals a day (some on a self-serve basis and others cooked for you)
- Airport pick-up from Johannesburg, South Africa
- In-country introduction regarding country, project and your role
- Most local project related transport
- Game drives and expeditions to collect data
- Experienced and qualified supervisor and contact person constantly available
- Interaction with local community and experiencing the local culture
- Support and guidance from the moment of registration until return back home
- Country information brochure
- Informal feedback session
- Certificate (proof of participation)
The costs
Your project fee goes towards a company you can trust, an experience that is worthwhile and an opportunity that will make a positive and sustainable impact on the community/environment.
Intern requirements
– Fully Self-funded, however we do encourage fundraising or crowdfunding
– Interns are also expected to take on more responsibility and to create their own goals and seek activities to be involved in or lead
– Passionate and capable in your field
– Reliable
– Excellent teamwork and people skills
– Proactive and take initiative
Please email us at info@letsgoafrica.nl if you want to register or have any questions.
