Megafauna behavioural research & conservation
Volunteer and study at a wildlife research camp in South Africa, ideal for university students on placement or as an incredible adventure on a huge 25,000 hectare reserve studying megafauna.
The large size of megafauna can mean a dramatic impact due to their behaviour, how they utilise or physically effect the environment or even simply their energy requirements.
Support ongoing research projects that pioneered conservation management techniques focused and developed around the natural behaviours of species including elephants, lions and buffalo.
Working practically, learn and develop skills in scientific research, how to conduct field work, record and analyse data to gain deep insights into the natural world, ecology, zoology and more.
A fantastic opportunity that blends theoretical knowledge and analysis with direct action based near the Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon.
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Volunteer information
Megafauna behavioural research and monitoring projects
Elephant Research & Monitoring
The reserve was the first to implement and develop elephant contraception techniques based on the behaviour & needs of the animals themselves.
Elephants have complex social structures, with reserves across Africa historically neglecting these facts in favour of shareholder benefit, work with the team and initiative that’s laid the foundations of effective management through their understanding and empathy of this key stone species.
Support ongoing monitoring, tracking of movement, record observation data and critically the behaviour of herds and individuals.
What will you be doing?
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Tracking and monitoring of elephants movements
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Use GPS / Radio telemetry equipment with key collared individuals
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Record data based on observations for long-term scientific research
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Help analyse results for daily or seasonal trends
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Help monitor behaviour including ranges within herds, sexes or individuals
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Help monitor animals to ensure health and wellbeing
Lion research and monitoring
As the apex predator of the reserve, lions play a valuable role in the environment helping balance prey populations, smaller predators and even prevent diseases by targeting sick or injured animals.
Ensuring the health of lion populations ensures the health of the wider environment, through research projects and regular monitoring of this species you’ll help gather data, record the effects and impacts of lions on prey species and even help proactively manage genetic diversity of the lion population through interventions or translocations if required.
What will you be doing?
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Track and monitor the movements of lions
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Record data relating to lion behaviour
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Record photos & videos to ensure updated individual ID kits and guides
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Help analyse results of data to determine trends
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Help with any intervention or translocation vet procedures
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Record data relating to lion predation habits
Wild dogs research and monitoring
The reserve hosts a small population of Wild dog, these animals are critically endangered across Africa and regular monitoring of them is essential to ensure their safety and updates to population or behavioural changes.
As they are so endangered, each of the dogs have been fitted with GPS / VHF tracking collars to ensure they can be followed in real time.
Wild dogs are highly mobile, covering many kilometres each day, so you’ll have a lot of fun with the challenge of keeping up with them!
What will you be doing?
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Track and monitor the movements of the dogs
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Search for and identify active den sites
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Record data relating to predation of prey
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Help analyse data and results for trends
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Help ensure health and wellbeing of each dog
Buffalo research and monitoring
Buffalo where gradually reintroduced to the reserve starting in 2009 and have returned to the environment completely to continue their vital role in the ecosystem.
As large animals that form large herds, they have a massive impact on an environment helping promote seed dispersal of plants, bird life, and even fire prevention by keeping grasses and forbs well grazed.
With a population of 150+ on the reserve, monitor the movements of these animals throughout area.
What will you be doing?
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Track and monitor the movements of buffalo
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Record data including births or fatalities
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Record data relating to buffalo body condition
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Support any substitute feeding during emergency periods of drought
Hyena research and monitoring
The reserve is home to two species of Hyena, the larger spotted and the more elusive and secretive brown hyena.
Both species are predominantly nocturnal and will rest in the day at den sites scattered around the reserve, they preform vital roles in the ecosystem both as scavengers but also as active hunters (often more successfully than lions!).
Help monitor and research hyena and their role in the ecosystem, search for active den sites both on foot and via vehicle and help gather data for better management and protection.
What you'll be doing
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Track and monitor the movements of hyena
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Search for and identify active den sites
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Record data relating to hyena predation or scavenging of prey
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Help analyse data and results to determine trends
Rhino monitoring and research
The reserve holds a population of white rhino as well as a small population of black rhino that have recently been introduced.
Rhino are targeted poaching and unfortunately in the Kruger National Park they've suffered with this over the years. Regular monitoring and the presence of reserve staff or volunteers discourages poaching and means any emergency responses can get rhinos the help they need faster.
You’ll also record data to determine rhino health, population movements, breeding status or behavioural trends, important for species survival.
What you'll be doing
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Track and monitor the movements of rhino
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Search for signs or evidence of poachers
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Record data relating to body condition and health
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Record data relating to breeding status
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Respond to emergency or routine interventions
Cheetah monitoring and research
Cheetah are the smallest of the “big cats” and evolved from a separate lineage that split from lions and leopards millions of years ago, as a result they are highly specialist in their niche and are often out competed by lion, leopard and even hyena.
This factor and the pressure of lack of habitat means they are highly endangered and require additional effort support their populations.
Support cheetah reintroduction to the reserve, help monitor introduced cheetah, determine their hunting successes and trends as well as how their behaviour relating to other predators or competition.
What you'll be doing
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Help with long term cheetah reintroduction
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Help monitor reintroduce cheetah on the reserve
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Record data relating hunting successes and trends
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Record data relating to behaviour and competition with other predators
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Analyse data to for daily or seasonal trends
Leopard monitoring and research
Although leopard are the most common and widely distributed of the big cats, they are often the hardest to see. Attempt to find and locate these animals as you patrol the reserve via vehicle, but likely, you’ll get most data and information from camera traps.
As leopard are masters of camouflage and mainly hunt at night, camera traps are invaluable for tracking them and gaining scientific information.
Place and locate camera traps, process footage & data, use this information to determine behavioural trends such as predation preferences with target species or individual identification and distribution.
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Track and monitor the movements of leopard
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Record data relating to leopard predation
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Record data relating to leopard behaviour and movements
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Record photos & videos to ensure updated individual ID kits
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Help analyse results of data to determine trends
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Help place and distribute camera traps to determine movements
Habitat management
Underpinning all of the important behavioural and megafauna research on the reserve is the health and biodiversity of the ecosystem, its flora, smaller species or even its geological or hydrological conditions.
Support various ongoing, regular or seasonal requirements the reserve has to ensure it remains a biodiverse and healthy environment.
This often takes a form of physical work and is a welcome way to make a direct contribution to conservation as well as learn key skills for ecosystem management.
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Invasive species of plant removal
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Erosion control
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Road repairs and maintenance
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Bush clearance or fire prevention
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Reseeding and vegetation management
