NAMIBIA BIG CAT RESEARCH PROGRAMME
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA

Volunteer on this internationally renowned wildlife project in the breath-taking surroundings of the Khomas region of Namibia. Based at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary, a safe haven for big cats and other wildlife in trouble from all over the country, volunteers will work with a dedicated team of staff to help address the human predator conflict.  Volunteers will help to track and radio collar leopards, cheetahs and brown hyenas so that their movements can be monitored and valuable research carried out.    This exciting project is working towards the peacful coexistence of big cats and farmers throughout Namibia.

	Location:	WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA	Dates:	Volunteers should arrive, if possible, on either the 1st or 3rd Thursday of the month
	Fees:	£765 - 2 weeks £1,050 - 3 weeks £1,345 - 4 weeks £1,595 - 5 weeks £1,845 - 6 weeks £2,095 - 7 weeks £2,295 - 8 weeks	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance of project fee due 8 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AV006

General Information

The spread of commercial farms throughout Namibia has lead to an increasingly fragmented land, resulting in restricted movement of the predatory big cats such as the cheetah and leopard and therefore creating conflict between man and beast.

The valuable research project aims to address the human/predator conflict by monitoring the big cat movements using telemetry and GPS.  Big cats are captured using specially developed box traps, radio collared and then released back into the wild.  The information generated on the movements of these big cats can then be used to prevent or lessen the farmers' losses and ultimately save the lives of these beautiful animals - who are shot by farmers who are protecting their livestock.  This project also increases knowledge and understanding of these large predators, educates the public about the importance of conserving these amazing animals and allows the fostering of an environment where species can coexist peacefully.

Volunteers work with experienced bushman trackers to follow the animal spores and plan sites for traps as well as performing the capture and collaring of the animals. The experienced bushman trackers will provide an invaluable learning environment for the volunteers on the project. The tracking team will collect data on the predators and incorporate this into a GIS database.

This project is based at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary, a safe home for animals (mainly big cats)  in trouble from all over Namibia.    These animals are housed in large natural enclosures throughout the Reserve which replicate, as closely as possible, their natural habitat and are cared for by the volunteers on this sister project.  To find out more about this volunteer project click here: Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary

This project offers a great opportunity for volunteers looking for hands-on scientific experience who want to commit themselves to the conservation of habitats and wildlife.  The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary is set in a beautiful and biologically diverse region covered in mountain, savannah, river beds and grassland - home to a vast array of native wildlife.

Project Aims

• To study large carnivore ecology
• To solve human-wildlife conflicts through research and closer co-operation with farmers
• To generate data for environmental planning and management purposes
• Increase use of sustainable resources by farmers and conservancies
• Implement environmental education programmes

It is a further aim of the project to assess the reliability of indirect identification of large carnivores by methods such as spoor tracking. Direct sightings of the big predators can be rare in this type of environment and by establishing the reliability of these means of identification the project hopes to increase the amounts of useful data it can collect.

Volunteer Activities

• Wildlife census – point observation e.g. waterhole or vehicle based
• Large predator tracking – telemetry/GPS
• Spoor and marking identification of large predators
• Setting and checking box traps
• Vegetation survey
• Data collection and date entry

Project Background

Namibia is thought to have the largest cheetah population in the world with recent estimates standing at around 3,000. Approximately 40% of the land in Namibia is currently utilised for commercial livestock farming and experts believe this land is the habitat for 90% of the cheetah population and 70-80% of the large game species they prey on. This emphasises the scale of potential conflict between man and predator and this project seeks to address ways in which this can be managed.   Wildlife in conservation areas does benefit from government protection but this does not apply to freehold farmland. The project is based on 11 years of established research and the capture of in excess of 250 cheetahs which has already contributed greatly to our knowledge of this beautiful and majestic animal.
 
The project runs in close liaison with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and other bodies such as the Large Carnivore Management Association of Namibia (LCAMN). It is the intention of the project to highlight the plight of the big predators to these decision making authorities and thus raise awareness of the relevant issues within the circles that will set future policy.

Support

Support and advice is available from your Project Managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent to volunteers upon booking their placement and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. An orientation will be provided on arrival at the project from the project coordinator.

Accommodation and Meals

Comfortable and clean shared accommodation including three meals a day is provided. Rooms are single sex and generally three volunteers per room however it may be possible to accommodate couples together if there is availability on the project when you arrive. 

Getting There

Volunteers should fly directly into Windhoek International Airport where they will be met on arrival and transferred to the project (approximately 45 minutes).  

(There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)

Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

Project Fees

What is included

• A contribution to the project itself including funding for items like building materials, food, animal medications etc
• Transfers to and from the airport
• Full orientation and support from the project managers
• Accommodation and meals as indicated above
  

What is excluded

• Return flights to Windhoek Airport
• Travel insurance to include cover for repatriation
• Visas
• Personal items eg clothes, travel goods etc
• Use of internet and telephone
• Soft drinks, wines and spirits
• Trips undertaken other than in the planned itinerary