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GYC2088 - Endangered species conservation in South Africa Country: South Africa Cost: £1845.00 Please note: The price for the one month project is £1295. If you would like to complete this project in two weeks, the cost is £995. Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, kit or visas     Duration: 2 months Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7585 or

 

	This placement would suit... Animal enthusiasts who want to work on the front-line of endangered species conservation, whilst experiencing the African bush first-hand. With the Rare and Threatened Species Research Programme, you can alleviate the dangers to its threatened species. This project gives you hands-on, fulfilling and rewarding conservation work in Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, South Africa's first World Heritage Site. Situated in the tropics, on the southernmost portion of the Great Coastal Plains, St Lucia is considered the most definitive Eco-tourist experience. Biological diversity is under increasing pressure and many species are declining to critical population levels due to the fragmentation, degradation and the destruction of important habitats, increasing population pressure and limited resources. . It is therefore critical to establish priorities for conservation objectives. One of the most effective ways to mobilise support for ecosystem conservation is focussing at the level of individual species. Populations of species of conservation importance within the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park include 48 species listed as internationally threatened and 161 that are threatened in South Africa. While studies on a number of these species are ongoing, little is known about the current status and viability of populations of the majority of threatened or endemic species in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, particularly the lower vertebra and invertebrate species. The volunteer component of the project thus aims to update the information about threatened and endemic species through a systematic survey of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, covering all major habitat types along identified transects. The aim is to extend monitoring efforts beyond the large and charismatic fauna to include some of the lesser-known, yet equally important species. The project is based in a huge Nature Reserve and our volunteers frequently get to observe a range of wildlife, from awesome rhino, buffalo, zebra and hippos, down to the tiniest of insects. In the ocean it's also possible to spot a humpback whale. You'll travel many miles to different field sites to collect data and its attraction is observing and learning how the various species are all important to the ecosystem, knowing that you are contributing to efforts to protect and maintain them and their natural habitats. A 'typical' two-week period would consist of: -six-day rapid fieldwork on a specific survey transect in the Park, -followed by two off-days, -followed by four days of focal species research and data capture. The one cycle leads into the next with two cycles in a 'typical' month. Focal species research Normally eight days per month (four days per two week cycle) will be allocated for work on focal species. This could be ongoing or an ad hoc research project - the specific project will depend on research needs at the time as well as the time of year. Past focal research and/or possible future work could include: -Nile crocodile nesting site surveys -Nile crocodile growth monitoring programme -Encephalartos ferox (Red Data plant species) surveys -Mangrove Kingfisher surveys from boat. -Snake-eyed skink surveys at Black Rock -Four-toed elephant shrew surveys -Various other focal work projects are in the process of approval and, once approved, they will also be available for volunteers to participate in. Travellers’ placements are very flexible and can be combined with any other Travellers placement and tailor made to your requirements! 0845 344 7585 Travellers Worldwide: Live and work abroad helping children, adults, animals and entire communities in less advantaged countries. Learn about their culture from the inside! Stay from as little as two weeks to as long as one year - you choose your dates and duration!