Biosphere Expeditions 2-week expeditions Namibia - leopard, caracal, cheetah

Big cat conundrum: The challenge of protecting leopards, caracals and cheetahs in the Khomas Hochland of central Namibia. Price/dates/status This expedition was honoured in the Wall Street Journal's "Best Volunteer Travel" list.  This wildlife volunteering vacation will take you to the beautiful Khomas Hochland (highlands) in central Namibia to conduct a survey of African cats (mainly leopard, but also caracal, cheetah, etc.) and their interrelationship with humans and prey animals (such as giraffe, eland, kudu, zebras, etc.). As part of a small team you will learn some bush skills and then follow collared cats on foot and in the expedition Land Rovers to record information about the animal’s behaviour. You will also conduct game counts and participate in community education and capacity-building work, which may vary from accompanying groups of school children out on game drives/hikes in the bush associated with conservation talks, to collecting demographic data. You may also assist with cat capturing and collaring. All this in an effort to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and create a sustainable future for all, and with the ultimate aim of creating a protected area in the Khomas Hochland. PRICE = Expedition contribution (land only per slot) £1690 (ca. €1920 | US$2590 | AU$2670). Please note: expedition contributions are quoted in British pound sterling and the approximate Euro and US Dollar equivalent. Try the XE currency converter for other currencies and an up to date Euro and US Dollar exchange rate. Where does my money go and other money questions. Dates 2012: 29 July - 10 August | 12 - 24 August || 2 - 14 September | 16 - 28 September | 30 September - 12 October || 21 October - 2 November (12 nights). Team members can join for multiple slots (within the periods specified). How long can I join for?  Status Green: Expeditions of status green have spaces available. Terrain Mixed African savannah and riverine habitat. Weather expected during expedition Semi-arid savannah climate. The summer rainfalls peak from February to April, but even then “peak’ means that it only rains for an hour or so during the day. During the middle of the year (the Namibian winter), it can get quite cold at night with temperatures near or below freezing. Expedition base Our base is a rustic, but comfortable bush camp style research base with safari tents with beds, linen, mosquito netting and basic furniture. There are hot showers, toilets, a communal lounge, rest areas with hammocks and a kitchen. Team size Up to 12 team members + 1-3 local scientists + 1 expedition leader. Skills & prerequisites required None. You don't need to be a scientist or have any special qualifications - everyone can take part and there are no age limits whatsoever. Can laypeople really be of help to serious research & conservation projects? Fitness level required Low to moderate. Much of the work will be done from Land Rovers, but you also need to be able to walk for about 5 km, sometimes when it is hot and in broken, mountainous terrain for some of the activities. Will it be for me or am I too old/young/unfit? Team assembly point Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. What about carbon neutrality and other environmental and social impact? Who books my flights? And finally Our expeditions are not about playing the primitive, neither are we a military style 'boot-camp'. Our expedition leader and the local scientist will be by your side and we believe strongly that we get the best out of our expedition teams by making them comfortable, safe and well fed. You won’t be living in the lap of luxury, but we will do our best to make you feel comfortable and at home in your working environment, as this is the key to a well-balanced and successful expedition.   Details This wildlife volunteering vacation will concentrate on a survey of the African leopard and its intraspecific interactions with other predators such as caracal, brown hyaena, cheetah, African wildcat and black-footed cat. The expedition will also investigate relationships between predators, humans and prey animals such as giraffe, eland, kudu, Burchell’s zebra, mountain zebra, oryx, blue wildebeest, hartebeest, springbok, warthog, common duiker, steenbok and klipspringer. Studies will be conducted on a game farm in central Namibia. The main objective of the expedition is to gather scientific data that will enable us to provide game ranchers in central Namibia with reliable game and habitat management advice so that sustainable ways for African wildlife and human populations to coexist can be developed. To this end the expedition will capture & collar leopards and, once collared, monitor their behaviour and ecology. The expedition will also count game animals in an effort to develop reliable monitoring strategies. Finally, the expedition will work with local people and landowners to build capacity, educate and develop joint solutions to combat the most significant threat to carnivore conservation in Africa today, namely human-predator conflict. Aims & objectives The main objective of this expedition is to gather scientific data of the dominant resident cat species, the leopard, so that we can provide game ranchers in central Namibia with reliable game and habitat management advice. To achieve this, the expedition will (1) Concentrate on capturing leopards, but may also opportunistically capture caracal, brown hyaena, cheetah, African wildcat, etc. for radio collaring and subsequent intensive monitoring of their daily movements, activities and behaviours. (2) Evaluate leopard intra-predator interactions, as well as inter-predator relationships between leopard and other predators such as cheetah, caracal, jackal, African wildcat, etc. (3) Collect biological and diagnostic samples of all captured animals to evaluate the effect of human and domestic animal (especially dogs and cats) proximity on wild predators. (4) Survey game populations, especially prey species, using different methods of game counts (vehicle & foot game counts, as well as infrared triggered cameras). In addition the expedition will conduct community work focusing on low-income communities in nearby squatter camps and on local schools. Background Namibia has over 20 national parks and state protected areas, which cover more than 14% of the country and represent most important habitat types. Strangely enough, the only state protected area representative of the unique Namibian central highland area, locally called the Khomas Hochland, is the small 4,500 ha (45 km2) Daan Viljoen Game Reserve. Virtually the entire Khomas Hochland region is privately owned farmland used for extensive stock and game ranching. Many of these farmers have joined so-called conservancies, which aim to regulate the management and use of wildlife. However, due to relatively heavy predation on livestock and game species, most of the stock and game ranchers are intolerant of predators. Misconceptions about predator impact and numbers, prey densities, etc. abound. Land management practices are profit-oriented and based on stock farming principles. Needless to say, the overall management of conservancies is rarely ecologically sound. Study species African leopard (Panthera pardus), caracal (Felis caracal), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), African wildcat (Felis libyca), Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes). Other species present The research area supports a high diversity of plant and animal species, because the Khomas Hochland, which predominantly consists of highland savannah, is also at the interface of the Kalahari to the east, Nama-Karoo to the south, thorn bush savannah to the north and escarpment to the west. Amongst the roughly 70 different mammal species found in this area the following carnivores occur on Ongos: brown hyaena, black-backed jackal, Cape fox, bat-eared fox, banded and yellow mongoose. Other large mammals commonly seen on Ongos include white rhino, giraffe, eland, kudu, Burchell’s zebra, mountain zebra, oryx, blue wildebeest, hartebeest, springbok, warthog, common duiker, steenbok, klipspringer and numerous small species. There are also a large number of man-made dams (artificial small lakes) that support a rich bird life (over 230 species). Typical day Your typical day begins early in the morning with breakfast at base camp. You will then split into your groups to complete the research tasks assigned to you for the day, interrupted by a lunch break with time for a siesta during the hottest part of the day. You will return to base for dinner and, on some days you may be out on a night game drive. After supper we will conduct informal lectures and have discussions and brainstorming sessions concentrating on our research area as well as problems encountered. In the event of an animal having been captured (or another exciting event), where possible all team members will be called together to witness and/or participate in the immobilisation/sample collection procedure. Please note that every team member will be rotated through all activities and that most research groups will return to base for the night where food is prepared by the expedition cook. There will also be rest and admin days as required. Capturing and collaring The capture method of choice will be by cage trap, which is a safe way to capture the animals. Very occasionally we may end up dart immobilising free range animals with telemetry darts. You will check the cage traps daily by foot or using the expedition Land Rovers depending on the distance of the traps from the camp. If an animal is captured, the group on duty will inform the rest of the team. All team members will then have the chance to join in and assist with or witness the handling of the captured animal. An animal that is captured for the first time will be darted, immobilised, and samples for research will be taken. After that, the animal will be fitted with a VHF or GPS collar and given an antidote to be released as soon as it has fully recovered. Monitoring of primary study animals Once an animal is collared, you will observe and study its movements and behaviour. This will be the main daily activity of at least one team. Depending on the number of collared animals within the study area at a given time, two teams may be assigned to this task. Team members will be provided with monitors and radio equipment and will work from Land Rovers, followed up by foot patrols under the leadership an experienced tracker. You will follow collared animals on a 12 – 24 hour delay, based on downloaded GPS information and record information about the animal’s behaviour (preferred places to rest, drink, hunt from, preferred prey species, frequency of kills, etc.) and, where available, collect samples from kills as well as scat. Scat analysis will be used to obtain further insights into predation habits. In the event of a sighting of a collared animal, you will do everything in your power not to alert or disturb the animal, but keep it under visual observation and record its natural behaviour.   Game counts You will conduct two different types of game counts. A vehicle game count will be conducted from the Land Rover, during both day and night to ascertain game numbers and species, comparing also day and night activities of different game, especially nocturnal species, which includes most predators. The data thus gathered will, over time, yield valuable information concerning game numbers as well as seasonal habitat preferences of different species. You will also conduct water hole observations during both day and night (and enjoy a night under an African starlit sky). Of primary interest here are population demographic data (e.g. male: female ratios, age composition of herds, number of sexually mature females with calf, etc.). This information is needed to ascertain the “herd health” of the various species and may yield further information regarding predation on target species. In the end our aim, with your help, is to establish a practically executable game count protocol that will both yield reliable and useful results and is within the financial means of the average game rancher. Local community work You will participate in community education and capacity-building work, which may vary from accompanying groups of school children out on game drives/hikes in the bush associated with conservation talks, to collecting demographic data in the local township. Research area At 825,418 sqkm Namibia is the world's thirty-fourth largest country. However, after Mongolia, Namibia is also the least densely populated country in the world (2.5 inhabitants per sqkm). Namibia is also very rich in wildlife. It has the largest cheetah population in southern Africa. There are over twenty species of antelope ranging from largest, the eland, to smallest, the Damara dik-dik. The oryx, a striking antelope with long symmetrical horns and distinctive black and white markings is featured on the Namibian coat of arms. The heart of the current survey area will be the game ranch Ongos, which lies in the central Khomas Hochland. Ongos covers 10,000 ha (100 sqkm) of very well preserved nature representative of the highlands region. Even though Ongos is not far from Namibia’s capital Windhoek, it is separated from the city by mountain ranges. The farm has a very varied landscape (altitude range from 1500 – 2000 m) with many different habitat types ranging from typically African bushveld to riverine areas, including the constantly flowing Aretaragis river bordered by lush vegetation, to mountainous areas in the Khomas Hochland. Thus Ongos contains ideal habitats for all of the indigenous mammal species of Namibia, including elephant, rhino, buffalo and hippo. There are 22 ground dams (man-made lakes) fairly evenly distributed over the study area. Most are relatively small and only keep water for a few months after the rainy season but four dams hold their water for up to two years. The area has, for many years, not been used for any commercial farming activity, thus leaving the pasture and bush in prime condition. In addition to this, the area has a number of sites of archaeological interest (ancient village sites, caves with rock paintings, etc.). Needless to say that the habitat diversity accommodates an equally rich diversity of fauna & flora and there are many typically African species present (giraffe, eland, kudu, Burchell’s zebra, mountain zebra, oryx, blue wildebeest, hartebeest, springbok, warthog, common duiker, steenbok, klipspringer and many smaller mammal species). We are currently raising two orphaned white rhino calves who are already roaming free in the study area and only come back to the house twice or three times a week. They will form the nucleus of the founder herd for white rhinos in the study area. Partners On this expedition we are working with the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the University of Namibia, the Namibia Polytechnic University, Conservation CATalyst (USA), as well as other local authorities and communities. Land Rover, Swarovski Optik, Motorola, Stormsaver, IdeaWild and mtc Namibia also support this expedition.   Maps Map of the region and study site.   Google map of all Biosphere Expeditions study sites, expedition bases, assembly points, office locations, etc.   Pictures Leopard (primary study species).  Caracal (primary study species). Giraffe. Kudu. Oryx.   Springbok. Zebra. Meerkat. Porcupine. Warthog. Aardvark.  A lilac-breasted roller visting base. Meeting the resident tame rhinos, part of a founder population for the study site. The study site. The study site.  Another sunset over the study site. Introduction to the plan of daily research activities. Training on how to look after the expedition Land Rovers. Tracking & counting game. Mapping the study site. Tracking a leopard. Tracking a caracal. Community work. Tracking a collared cat. Tracking a collared cat. Transferring a sedated cheetah to the field lab for radio collaring.  A sedated leopard's paw. Data entry at base. Relaxing at base after a good day's work .   Communal lounge (lapa) with dining & rest areas, kitchen, storage, etc. There's also a viewing area to a waterhole.  Picture courtesy of John Rawnsley. Safari tent. The walled area at the back contains a shower & toilet. Lapa with Land Rover expedition fleet in front. Research base in the bend of a dry river with safari tents (green circle) dotted along the river's edge and lapa (red circle). Expedition fleet.  Ever so slightly stuck  Leopard and an expedition Land Rover. Sundowner. More images on Biosphere Expeditions'    Video Namibia expedition impressions: some research activities, camp life, landscape, animals, Land Rover driving, soundbites, etc. Every fortnight, we hold an educational day with one of the local schools, familiarising the children with wildlife in their backyard, which many of the children will not have seen before. This video, courtesy of James Chubb, was taken on such an educational day.   A walk around the expedition base (with some background on how facilities such as the Namibian research base are funded). Documentary on German ZDF TV about Namibia expedition (as well as another volunteering project in the Bavarian Alps by another organisation). in German Watch more Namibia expedition clips on YouTube.   Audio Biosphere Expeditions' founder Dr. Matthias Hammer talks about how it all works and also about previous work on cheetahs in Namibia. in English Press Turning farmland into conservation areas in English  View article 426.75 Kb Going wild for leopards in English  View article 2.99 Mb Mit Biosphere Expeditions in Namibia: Die Wüste lebt in German  View article 4.54 Mb Die Leoparden-Retterin in German  View article 12.42 Mb Pretection des fauves in French  View article 7.80 Mb The articles below cover a previous cheetah, leopard & other carnivores conservation study in a different study area in central Namibia. The expedition has since moved to a new study area, but the articles below still give you a very good idea of what it's going to be like.   Erin McCloskey’s Namibian wildlife encounter in English  View article 124.30 Kb City boy animal instincts in English  View article 3.98 Mb Cheetah trail in English  View article 3.52 Mb   Hilfreich im Tierreich in German  View article 1.43 Mb Geparde mit Sendungsbewusstsein in German  View article 594.46 Kb Katzenjammer auf der Farm in German  View article 91.11 Kb Die Spur des Geparden in German  View article 6.53 Mb       Feedback “Biosphere Expeditions' support of our research is a continuation of a great tradition where, they have, since 2002, been involved with various wild carnivore research projects in Namibia. Together we aim to research predator (especially leopard & cheetah) ecology to obtain a better understanding of these magnificent, but much-maligned cats predation habits and preferences. Our joint objective is to identify possible eco-friendly game management strategies that could minimise predation on high value game species and thus improve game ranchers' tolerance towards predators.” Ulf Tubbesing & Kristina Killian, local scientists. “A big thank you to all those involved in this wonderful project for giving us the chance to be part of it. I came with high expectations, which have been more than fulfilled. I leave with wonderful memories of the real wild Africa, not just of the game reserves I have visited before. The last two weeks have been an awe-inspiring experience with so many highlights! I hope your continued work is as successful as it has been so for and you are able to fulfil your aims.” Eva Davey, 66.     Feedback from team members about their experiences and reasons for coming (on/from various expeditions).   “I can’t find French words to tell you how fantastic this stay was for me so you can imagine in English! So thank you for making my dream come true and so memorable. Please just stay the way you are – it’s so good to meet people like you and all the work that you do.” Géraldine Illien, 33. "We really had a wonderful time and are very grateful for all your hard work. We had very high expectations for this expedition and they were all more than met; we would not hesitate to do something like this again, so you have not heard the last of us." Jethro Frankenberger, 27 & Karolin Renkel, 26. “The dynamics between the expedition leader, scientists, guides and cooks were outstanding, which really made the expedition go well. (…) It was amazing seeing conservation in action and it was especially the enthusiasm of the staff that brought the expedition alive.” Marie Camus, 38. “This has been the most wonderful period in my life and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to spend four weeks here. Many, many wonderful memories. Thank you Biosphere for making it all possible. All in all a very, very memorable and life-changing experience.” Anne Evans, 48. Briefing The expedition briefing contains very detailed information on this expedition, including instructions on how to get to the assembly point, what you will be doing whilst on expedition and who your expedition leader and scientists will be. Briefings are provided as pdf documents and you must provide a name, country of residence and valid e-mail address to be able to download one. You can access briefings via the Download Centre. Join Go on, you know you want to