Zingela Predator Conservation Project
Study some of Africa's most elusive and persecuted predators
Zingela is based on the Zulu word 'to hunt', making it particularly fitting for this project, where you will be at the core of a research based project to reduce the hunting of these stunning species and allow locals to work in harmony with them.
Set on a vast reserve in the wild and rugged bushland of the Limpopo Province of South Africa, you would be involved in tracking and monitoring cheetah, leopard and brown hyena populations, witnessing their natural behaviour first hand, and contribute to the ongoing conservation effort to secure their future.
- Track cheetah on foot, using telemetry and traditional tracking techniques
- Be involved in a baseline study to determine leopard numbers and behaviour
- Monitor hunting, feeding behaviour and social interactions of cheetah and leopard
- Study brown hyena, recording habits and movements
- Use GPS positions to record home ranges and determine movement patterns
- Habitat maintenance and securing fence lines
- Assist in conservation at the forefront by reducing the conflict between man and predators
Conservation In The Field
Zingela Predator Conservation Project gives a unique view of the reality behind conserving predators, while working alongside local communities. The project and its dedicated coordinators allow you to be involved in a research team vital to securing a future for these stunning animals. The research you carry out will be used to show the real impact predators have on the land, and how they can in fact be a positive addition to any reserve.
Cheetah
The Zingela project focuses on the conservation of cheetah
Roan antelope
The reserve also runs a breeding programme for the endangered roan antelopes
Buffalo
Another conservation activity at Zingela is the habituation of disease free buffalo
Use of telemetry equipment
Volunteers at Zingela use telemetry equipment to pick up the radio signal from collared cheetah
Tracking on foot
Once the approximate location is established, you proceed on foot through the bush
Cheetah sighting
Approaching carefully, volunteers can get a sighting of the cheetah
Rebecca the cheetah
If the cheetah is feeling secure, she will often permit volunteers to come very close and spend time with her
Cheetah kill
Witnessing the cheetah make a kill is an extraordinary experience
Darting cheetah
Sometimes a cheetah is darted and sedated, as it requires treatment or relocation
Replacing collar
Radio collars are routinely replaced as they become damaged or the cheetah outgrows them
Electric fence
The entire 8,500 hectare reserve is surrounded by a predator proof fence, which creates the sanctuary for the cheetah
Fence patrol
As the fence is crucial for the success of the project, it needs to be checked for faults frequently
Zebra
The reserve is home to many wildlife species, and fence patrols are a wonderful opportunity for game viewing
Nyala
Nightdrive
As many wildlife species are nocturnal, volunteers also go on night drives regularly, in order to monitor all wildlife found in the reserve
Sunset
Sunsets are spectacular in the vast bush landscape
Zingela accommodation
The camp has no electricity, but the tents are comfortable and atmospheric
Work With The Wildlife
Working with a dedicated team, passionate about the predators they live amongst and study, Zingela Predator Conservation Project is a fantastic opportunity to combine traditional and more advanced tracking techniques, observe animals at close encounters and assist in the management of a vast reserve, home to a variety of species, including rare and endangered antelope breeding populations.
Uniquely, at Zingela predators are tracked on foot.
Using telemetry equipment to establish the approximate location of the cheetah, you then proceed on foot through the bush. This is far less intrusive and more intimate, as you follow the cheetah at its own pace.
Baseline studies of the elusive leopard to determine the numbers moving within the reserve.
Working mainly at night, when the African bush comes alive, 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 sensitively using a high powered spotlight
- Monitoring and recording hunting and feeding behaviour, and interactions both between leopards and with other species
- Recording GPS positions to determine home ranges and movement patterns
The brown hyena is a lesser known predator, but a beautiful and vital component of the environment.
You will be involved in studying the hyena population to help bring a greater understanding of their nocturnal movements and habits. The work will involve:
- Identifying spores and tracks, and using sightings to monitor individuals in the population
- Observing hunting and feeding behaviour and interactions between the pack and with other species
- Recording GPS positions to determine home ranges and movement patterns
Learn techniques required to map GPS positions and locate species.
The global positioning system uses a global navigation system to reliably locate specific species within a specified timeframe. You will also learn traditional tracking techniques, using animal spores and tracks, and the more advanced radio telemetry at Zingela. Some species are fitted with radio collars to allow the team to track their location within certain ranges, a valuable tool within wildlife research.
Help with reserve management and maintenance.
- As the study involves predators, it is essential that the electric fence surrounding the reserve is maintained and checked regularly to reduce movements out of the reserve
- You may assist with maintenance of the bomas (enclosures) housing the breeding populations of the rare roan and sable antelope breeding programme
