African Conservation Experience: The Zingela Predator Conservation Project - African Conservation Experience

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The Zingela Predator Conservation Project

  • Tuli Conservation ProjectIn the Tuli Block of Botswana volunteers work alongside experienced rangers to establish a baseline ecology study of the wildlife in this vast and unfenced trans frontier region.
  • Zingela Predator Conservation ProjectAt Zingela, you can study some of Africa's most elusive and persecuted predators, focussing on cheetah conservation, leopard and brown hyena studies.
  • Phinda Wildlife Research ProjectAs a 'Big 5' safari reserve, Phinda offers superb wildlife viewing while you conduct field research on the populations of lions, leopards and elephants, amongst other species.
  • Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation CentreVolunteering at the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in South Africa gives you hands on experience in animal care, rehabilitation and hand rearing of wildlife. Join an experienced and dedicated team caring for injured and poisoned wildlife.
  • Khulula Wild Care
  • Game Capture TeamJoining the Game Capture Team lets you participate in the exciting work of capturing and relocating many wildlife species, including rhinos, buffalo, giraffe and large herds of antelope - this is hands-on and adrenaline fuelled work!
  • Hanchi Conservation ProjectWhile volunteering at Hanchi, you assist in the management of a 9,000 hectare reserve from horseback, which operates a breeding programme for rare antelopes as well as a cheetah sanctuary and predator study.
  • Shimongwe Wildlife Veterinary ExperienceThe Wildlife Veterinary Experience gives you the opportunity to work alongside experienced wildlife vets in South Africa, accompanying them on all wildlife cases and learning first hand and up close about this exciting work.
  • Nholwasi Community ProjectAn immensely rewarding experience, working with local children to promote sustainable and long term conservation, enrich their lives and work with the children of the future.
  • The Dolphin and Whale Research CentreAt the Dolphin and Whale Research Centre you assist renowned marine scientists studying the populations of humpback and bottlenose dolphins, byrde whales, humpback whales, and southern right whales, along South Africa’s coast.
  • Mauritius Dolphin Conservation ProjectAs a volunteer at the Mauritius Dolphin Conservation Project you assist with monitoring and controlling the impact of eco tourism on the local populations of spinner dolphins, melon headed dolphins and bottle nosed dolphins.
  • Tutuka Family Conservation ProjectWork with your family to bring your children's learning to life. Contribute to the conservation research of a Big 5 reserve and join our local community project.
  • Game Ranger Guide CourseThe Game Ranger Guide Course gives you a thorough introduction to the wildlife and habitats of South Africa and Botswana.
  • Wildlife Tracking CourseLearn advanced tracking skills and interpret animal behaviour while following wildlife through the wilderness of Botswana’s Tuli Block. This is a tough and adventurous experience.

The word Zingela is the Zulu word meaning 'to hunt', making it particularly fitting for this project, where you can study some of Africa's most elusive and persecuted predators.

Set on a vast reserve in the rugged and wild bushland of the Limpopo Province of South Africa, this project gives you the chance to track and monitor the cheetah, leopard and brown hyena populations, witness their natural behaviour first hand and contribute to the ongoing conservation effort to help secure a future for these stunning animals.

Tracking Predators

Tracking Cheetah on Foot

Uniquely, cheetah are almost exclusively approached on foot on the Zingela project, which brings wildlife monitoring to a whole new level as you follow in the footsteps of these wonderful and endangered predators; moving when they move, resting when they rest and watching them stalk, hunt and feed. The work includes:

  • Tracking collared animals using telemetry equipment and traditional tracking techniques.
  • Locating and following animals on foot.
  • Watching hunting and feeding behaviour, and their social interactions with one another and other species.
  • Recording GPS positions to determine home ranges and movement patterns. Recording kills.

    A Leopard surveys it's Zebra kill and an ACE volunteer







Leopard

 

This notoriously hard-to-spot predator is often seen at Zingela, and you will be involved in a baseline study to help determine the number of individuals within the reserve. Working mainly at night, when the African bush comes alive with a whole new set of animals, you will work to establish the home ranges and prey species of the resident leopards by:

  • Locating animals from the open back of the research vehicle by (sensitively) using a high powered spotlight.
  • Watching and recording hunting, feeding and interactions both between leopards and with other species.
  • Recording GPS positions to determine home ranges and movement patterns.

Brown Hyena

The brown hyena is a lesser known predator but a beautiful and vital component of the environment. By studying these animals you will help to bring a greater understanding of this nocturnal animal's movements and habits. The work done will include:

  • Using tracks as well sightings to identify and monitor individuals in the population
  • Watching hunting and feeding behaviour as well as interactions with their own and other species
  • Recording GPS positions to determine home ranges and movement patterns Recording kills

The surrounding area is dominated by safari ranch land where these magnificent animals can come into conflict with man, which all too often can lead to problems. The ground-breaking Zingela predator conservation project aims to help resolve some of these issues - the research you carry out will be used to help show the real impact the predators have on the land, and how they can in fact be a positive addition to any reserve.

Factbox!

Duration:   2-12 weeks.

Cost:   From £2290 for 2 weeks up to £5270 for 12 weeks. Includes return international flights from London, transfers, all meals, accommodation, all project-related costs and back up and support.

Accommodation:   Tented camp. Twin tents, separate ablution blocks, flush toilets, hot showers, kitchen, open air lounge/dining area

Time of year:   Open from January to mid-December

Apply Now!

Find ACE at these domain names: www.conservationafrica.net, www.conservationafrica.co.uk

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