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GYC2265 - Leopard Research Country: Sri Lanka Cost: £1466.00 Please note: Flights/Transfers/Visa/Insurance Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation and food but does not include flight, insurance, kit, pickup from airport or visas    Duration: 4 weeks Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7511 or

 

	This placement would suit... People with a passion for Big Cats. Leopard are probably the finest of all the big cats - and if you want to help towards the conservation of these beautiful animals in an equally beautiful country then this is the placement for you... Your role... Volunteers play an important role in the research and monitoring of the endemic Sri Lankan sub species of leopard. Volunteers will help and assist with the dedicated research team out in the jungle collecting data and research. Volunteers on this programme will also play the important role of collating and entering data collected as part of the ongoing conservation initiative. The programme is offered for 4 weeks throughout the year. Research on the endemic Sri Lankan sub-species of leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) has largely focused on populations of Yala National Park (Kittle and Watson, in press) and Wilapattu National Park, representing dry climatic zones of the southeast and northwest extents of the country. In contrast, the status of the leopard in the central intermediate zone and the northeastern dry zone is relatively unknown, although sightings are common among several non-contiguous forest reserves and national parks in the region. The project was recently established to gather data on the density of leopards in the central and north central provinces and also to understand the intensity of human-leopard conflict. The leopard project provides the volunteers with an exciting diversion from only doing elephant conservation and research work. When working for the leopard project the volunteers also get to visit other areas in the Wasgamuwa region. The proposed plan to create a biological corridor ranging over the central, north central and eastern provinces, encompassing a continuum from wet, intermediate to dry climatic zones, volunteers are conducting a leopard survey by remote photography to estimate leopard populations across both protected parcels and areas of human habitation in this region. The proposed plan seeks to provide baseline information on leopard densities - In both protected and non-protected areas and - Along a rainfall/altitudinal gradient across the Central, North Central and Eastern provinces. This study will provide the first density estimates for the Sri Lankan leopard by use of statistically rigorous mark-recapture methodologies. To evaluate the field methods required for this regional study, we are conducting a pilot project in the Himbiliyakade Forest Reserve, south of Wasgamuwa National Park, Sri Lanka. The pilot project will consist of remote-photography surveys and investigations. The first remote photography survey is being conducted from March to May 2005. Future camera surveys will include Himbiliyakade Forest Reserve, in addition to the Wasgamuwa National Park and the northern foothills of the Knuckles Range (All three areas are subsequently referred to as the Wasgamuwa region). Project goals and objectives: - The conservation and protection of the endemic Sri Lankan leopard and its habitat in the Wasgamuwa region. - Mitigation of human-leopard conflict (HLC) in the Wasgamuwa region through better understanding of leopard feeding ecology. - Creation of standardized protocols for monitoring leopard populations and HLC to be applied to regional studies in the Intermediate and Northeastern Dry Zones. The main project objectives for the pilot study are: - Density estimates for the Sri Lanka leopard in the Wasgamuwa region. - Identify hotspot for HLC and quantify the damage incurred by livestock owners. - Characterize the diet of leopards in the Wasgamuwa region The benefits of the pilot study are: - Obtain first dietary and population data for the Sri Lankan leopard in the Intermediate Zone. - A better understanding of the conservation status of the leopard in the Intermediate Zone. - Identify extent of leopard damage to local livestock. - Recommendation of management plans to reduce HLC. - A broader information base to develop effective and sustainable management strategies. - GIS mapping of distribution and population data to aid in management efforts. Where is the Project situated? The total research area lies within the confines of the Central and North Central Province forests of Sri Lanka and the base camp is situated in the Pussellayaya village on a scenic hill overlooking a large tank (reservoir). The climate ranges from a low of 14C in the wet zone mountains to a high of 34oC in the dry zone jungles, where the average temperature will be in the region of 25C-32C. Expect hot and dry weather for the expedition with the occasional shower and humid day. Insects could be a problem in the night when they are attracted to the camp lights. The monsoon season (Dec-Feb) will be very wet with thundershowers throughout the day/night. Volunteers for the leopard project must be very physically fit to hike about 10+ km per day in hot and humid conditions. They must also be willing to carry supplies and spend time camping when needed to set up and monitor cameras. These hikes could be dangerous due to wild elephants, sloth bears and other wild animals present in the jungle. Project Life Field Conditions Please be prepared for basic living conditions. You will be staying in a project field base that consists of a central dining hall, kitchen, a small library, veranda and garden. Team members will share rooms with the other volunteers. Basic modern amenities such as showers, porcelain toilets and solar power are available. All meals will be prepared for the team and vegetarians can be catered for. Clothes can be hand washed at the base. Whichever SLWCS field camp you will stay at they all have modern bathrooms, clean kitchens and shared sleeping facilities. You will be at least 4 hours from the closest internet café and may have irregular mobile phone coverage in parts of the core study area. Volunteers The volunteers will be split into smaller teams and partnered with the Field Scouts to conduct research in the field. By observing the Field Scouts and sharing the activities the team members will be able to further master the techniques very quickly. Additionally working with the Field Scouts will acclimate them to the local customs as well as provide them with opportunities to develop an understanding of each other’s cultures. The teams will be assigned tasks to accomplish everyday and these tasks demand groups to work as teams. The evenings will be relatively quiet (for rest after a tiring morning of field work in the hot environment) but there will be elephant observations, tree hut monitoring and data entry tasks depending on the current project needs and logistical considerations. All of these activities will help to develop a strong team spirit among the volunteers and Field Scouts. Programme Start Dates Programmes start on the first and third Monday of each month. Volunteers must make their own travel arrangements to Colombo airport in time for the pick up to be transferred through to the project camp. 0845 344 7511 Worldwide Experience offers volunteers a unique conservation opportunity to work on some of Southern Africa's premier private game reserves or leading marine ocean research projects. A conservation placement is the ultimate life changing experience gives you the chance to give something back and make a difference to the natural environment.