The
Namibian land is becoming more and more fragmented
as new commercial farms are being set out. Farmers often come
into conflict with predators as they pose a threat to their
livestock. This includes Leopards, Cheetahs and Brown
Hyenas.
It
is the vision of N/a’an ku sê to play a pro active
role in reducing conflict between human and predator, especially
in the Windhoek area. This initiative aims to radio collar
predators that we will capture using special box traps which
will be set out in various locations where wild carnivores
have been confirmed to occur. Once we have fitted a radio
collar we will release them in order to monitor their activities
and movements using telemetry, GPS and other suitable methods.
N/a’an ku sê will train a team of trackers that
will also include volunteers who work alongside experienced
bushman trackers and follow predator spoors. Working with
bushman people shall ensure high data quality as well as the
best learning experience for our volunteers. The data obtained
will be logged into a GIS database and updated on a regular
basis. Our research program puts special focus on working
on commercial farmlands in order to alleviate existing human
– carnivore conflicts. We believe this to be of utmost
importance as commercial farmlands still harbor the vast majority
of Namibia’s cheetahs and leopards. Thus, our involvement
is particularly concerned with generating information which
can be used to lessen farmers’ losses, increase tolerance
of so-called “problem animals” and expose the
public to the importance of conserving what natural assets
we are still fortunate to possess.
| |
 |
Scientific
Volunteer Project: If you are
looking for a hands-on scientific experience and a need to
committing yourselves to the conservation of habitats and
wildlife, we can offer you this experience! N/a’an ku
sê’s most beautiful and biologically diverse region
is covered in mountain, savannah, river-beds and grasslands
which are home to a vast array of native wildlife.
This project welcomes anybody with a strong interest or background
in the sciences. You will also need general fitness and lots
of enthusiasm to get the most out of your placement. Volunteers
need to be ready to take on any tasks that may be required
of them, and to get dirty in the process! The major topics
of the program are monitoring wildlife populations and assisting
with our research projects (mainly on large carnivores) to
provide management with necessary information tools.
Leading
scientists estimated that Namibia hosts the largest population
of cheetahs in the world with at least 3000 individuals. Furthermore,
it is proposed that the commercial farmland provides the habitat
for 90% of the national cheetah population and about 70-80%
of the exploitable larger game species. However, farmers not
only derive benefits from herbivore species such as meat and
income security, they also carry the costs of living with
large carnivores. Conflict between farmers and large carnivores
is mainly due to predation on livestock. About 40% of the
total area in Namibia is used for commercial livestock farming.
Whilst wildlife in conservation areas benefits from Government
protection, the same cannot be said of wildlife on freehold
farmlands. It is therefore crucial to cooperate with farmers,
assess their problems and include their questions into the
research. Thus, the commercial farmland has an important role
to play in sustainable wildlife management and conser¬vation.
We
strongly believe that farmers and large carnivores can co-exist
on commercial farmlands, and we mean to make this a norm;
whereby farmers are aware of, and derive benefits from not
killing predators or any other natural fauna on their land.
Moreover,
N/a’an ku sê Research Program can build on 11
years of field work and expertise of Okatumba Wildlife Research.
OWR, in the past, was one of the leading carnivore research
initiatives in Namibia but they have now decided to hand over
operations to N/a’an ku sê. Under the leadership
of Birgit and Harald Förster, OWR has captured 250+ cheetahs
and they have greatly contributed to the knowledge available
on Namibian carnivores - including sound management, home
ranges, population estimates etc.
In
our endeavours to contribute to large carnivore conservation
on commercial farmland we also closely work with the Ministry
of Environment and Tourism and other official bodies like
the Large Carnivore Management Association of Namibia (LCMAN).
We do this because we think it is necessary that our data
and opinions must be shared with not only farmers but also
with decision-making authorities.
Our aim/your tasks: As
Volunteers, you will have the opportunity to actively participate
in the research and monitoring activities that take place
in our study area. Data collection forms the platform of any
research initiative and you should therefore ensure that your
input is to the best of your ability. Our objectives are:
1.
To study large carnivore ecology (e.g. home ranges, activities
etc)
2. To solve human-wildlife conflicts through applied research
and close cooperation with farmers
3. To make data available for environmental planning and management
purposes (e.g. game count data)
4. To strengthen capacity of farmers and conservancies in
sustainable resource use
5. To implement and perform environmental education
In
the long run we will also seek to test existing indirect identification
methods for large carnivores (e.g. using spoor) because direct
sightings of the study animals can be very rare in this type
of environment.
What
you can expect: You can expect a whole new
perspective on wildlife while exploring N/a’an ku sê
and participating in our research program. Activities you
will be involved in include:
• Wildlife census (either from the car or at waterholes)
• Search for cheetah marking trees
• Locating collared carnivores through telemetry
• Identifying, counting and tracking carnivore spoors
• Checking box traps
• Vegetation survey
• Data entry
Volunteers need to be fit for hilly country, unpredictable
weather, and steep paths. Some activities will require walking
long distances while others can be conducted from a car. It
would be advantageous if you could bring your personal binoculars,
GPS devices, compasses, and/or range finders as they can be
useful during some of the mentioned activities or during your
time “off duty”. Students who successfully complete
the course are issued with a certificate.
Program,
Facilities and Services:
Animals
on N/a’an ku sê
To
date N/a’an ku sê provides homes to 5 Lions, 2
Leopards, 2 Wild Dogs and 3 tame Cheetahs in large enclosures
across the farm. The enclosures were developed to ensure the
best environment for the welfare of these special animals.
There
are a variety of smaller animals located and cared for at
the volunteer houses. These include 16 Baboons, 3 Meerkat,
44 Tortoises, 1 Pig, 1 African Wildcat, 1 Jackal and so on…
The farm also is home to all kinds of wildlife living in their
natural environment, freely roaming the land. Common wildlife
species on N/a’an ku sê include: Oryx, Kudu, Steenbok,
Warthog, Jackal, Caracal, Ostrich, Vultures, Eagles and other
birds but the list is endless!
Accommodation
Accommodation
is basic but clean. It includes dormitory-style sleeping arrangements.
There
is a small farm shop called the ‘Gabba’ close
to the project where you can buy small necessities such as
drinks, snacks, tobacco etc. However, please bear in mind
that this is not open everyday so please try not to rely on
it for all of your requirements. Please note: We will only
accept Namibian Dollar and South African Rand at the Gabba
since we cannot do any money-exchange here!
Internet
Due
to the rural location of the project there is only very unreliable
Internet service at the camp and therefore this is for use
in emergencies only. If you get the chance to take a trip
to Windhoek, you will be able to access the Internet from
there.
Telephone
We
suggest that you take your mobile phone with you, if you chose
to do so please ensure that you have activated roaming on
your phone. It is also a good idea to unlock your phone in
case you get the opportunity to buy a local Namibian SIM card
for about £15, which will allow you to call and text
home cheaply and easily.
Due to the rural location of the project, the mobile phone
signal is quite weak, although there are a few spots around
camp where you can get reception, but you will need to walk
around a bit to find these! The international dialing code
for Namibia is +264.
Laundry
Twice a week there will be a ‘washing day’ where
you will have the chance to hand in clothes for washing. However,
you will have to hand-wash your own underwear and socks, so
please bring travel wash with you.
Electricity
There
is electricity at the camp, and there are sockets in each
room. The plugs used in Namibia are 3 large round pins (same
as the South African style) so you will need to bring an adaptor
in order to charge electronic items such as phones and camera
batteries. Please be sensible when using electricity, as it
is much more of a luxury in Africa than it is in your home
country. Also please be prepared that power cuts are common
and therefore please be understanding and flexible about charging
your items and bring spare batteries!
Program
Rules and Guidelines
If
you do not comply with the rules, values or directives of
the program it may result in you being released from the program
with no refund. These will be covered during your orientation.
The
Sanctuary would like to point out: According
to local law nobody may carry any unlawful articles or substances
whilst traveling to Southern Africa. Should anyone break this
law, the Sanctuary will be entitled to immediately exclude
the offender from the stay/tour and the offender will be responsible
for his or her own repatriation and all costs associated therewith.
The Sanctuary will under no circumstance assist any such offender
in any dealings or negotiations with any authority.
They also ask their participants
to:
•
Respect local people
•
Be sensitive to local customs and traditions
•
Dress inoffensively
•
Ask permission before you take photographs of people or their
homes
•
Respect private property and keep marked paths
•
Take care of the environment
•
Save water and energy
•
Dispose of litter carefully and don’t remove wildflowers
or other wildlife
What’s included in the
Programme Price?
•
Project Fee: This entails financing that goes directly back
into the project that you are involved with. This project
fee facilitates funding for items such as building materials,
fuel, foodstuffs, research materials, animal medication etc
•
Airport Transfers
•
Arrival Orientation
•
All accommodation during your stay
•
Three meals daily
•
Full support and assistance from your coordinator throughout
your time on your placement
and all of the various costs of field research (field permits,
equipment, etc.).
What’s not included in the Programme Price?
•
All flights
•
Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement,
which should include cover for repatriation
•
All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing
(work and other)
•
Email/Internet and telephone calls
•
Soft drinks, wines and spirits
•
Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Namibia
