The Tuli Conservation Project gives volunteers the opportunity to closely study 2 of Africa’s famous ‘Big 5’ species; the majestic African Elephant and the secretive Leopard. The student camp, nestled within massive trees on the bank of the vast Limpopo River, is situated within Botswana. It is from here that the students venture into this harsh land of extreme beauty. The isolated position and sheer size of the area has left humans knowing very little about the wildlife within this wilderness, and this is where you, the Volunteer, fit into this raw African conservancy.
The project is named after the Tuli Block, an area which forms part of the Limpopo/Shashe Trans Frontier Conservation Area, which also straddles the borders of South Africa and Zimbabwe allowing for natural migration of Elephant herds and other animal species.
Elephants are the key research and monitoring species of the Tuli Conservation Project. The research will involve;
- Monitoring range utilisation of the elephants as well as habitat use and vegetation damage assessment. GPS and computer mapping systems used for this.
- Developing personalised idenitification cards for each individual elephant.
- Recording information about herd dynamics, namely sex and age ratios.
- Monitoring behaviour of both breeding herds and male bulls.
In addition, the other main research studies ongoing at Tuli involve;
- Leopard monitoring - Data collected is used to establish territory size and interactions between members of the same and other species.
- Baboon study - the aims of this study are primarily to determine the number of troops in the core study area. Food utilisation and roost sites are also recorded.
- General Game Monitoring - Recording of all general game numbers via a grid co-ordinate system is done on a systematic basis. General game counts are mapped and compared to vegetation maps, leopard track recordings etc. Sex and age ratios are also noted in order to determine herd structures and growth rates. Seasonal and other variations are determined in this manner.
Other activities involve the restoration and maintenance of the land in order to maximise the suitability of the area for animal species to flourish. This work may include;
- Removal of old fence wire to prevent harm to animals.
- Erosion control of the gullying effects of the Limpopo River.
- Eradication of alien vegetation species.
- Ongoing habitat rehabilitation initiatives.
Tuli offers volunteers the opportunity to become part of a new approach to game management. This “open” system of Trans Frontier Areas creates as large an area as possible for game to move freely and migrate naturally across historically established national borders.
Please Note: This project involves quite a lot of walking and climbing of 'koppies' (rock outcrops) in order to monitor game, so a good level of fitness is required.
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Duration: 2-12 weeks.
Cost: From £2050 for 2 weeks up to £4930 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