Tuli Wilderness Conservation Project
Work as a Volunteer Wildlife Researcher in the Tuli Game Reserve,
Botswana, Southern Africa

The Tuli Wilderness Conservation Project, Botswana, Southern Africa

For the young at heart who want to volunteer as a wildlife researcher:

The Tuli Wilderness Conservation Project gives participants the opportunity to closely study 2 of Africa's famous "Big 5" species; the majestic African Elephant and the secretive Leopard. Our research camp, Mohave Camp, is located in the wildest of areas in the Tuli Block. It is from here that you will venture into this harsh land of extreme beauty. The isolated position and sheer size of the area has left humans knowing very little about the wildlife within this wilderness, and this is where you you come to play a role.

Elephants are the key research and monitoring species of the Tuli Conservation Project. The research will involve:

• Developing personalised identification cards for each individual elephant

• Monitoring range utilisation of the elephants as well as habitat use and vegetation damage assessment. GPS and computer mapping systems are used for this.

• Recording information about herd dynamics, namely sex and age ratios.

• Monitoring behaviour of both breeding herds and male bulls.

In addition, the other main research studies ongoing at Tuli involve:

• Leopard monitoring - Data collected is used to establish territory size and interactions between members of the same and other species.

• Baboon study - the aims of this study are primarily to determine the number of troops in the core study area. Food utilisation and roost sites are also recorded.

• General Game Monitoring - Recording of all general game numbers via a grid co-ordinate system is done on a systematic basis. General game counts are mapped and compared to vegetation maps, leopard track recordings etc. Sex and age ratios are also noted in order to determine herd structures and growth rates. Seasonal and other variations are determined in this manner.

Other activities involve the restoration and maintenance of the land in order to maximise the suitability of the area for animal species to flourish. This work may include:

• Removal of old fence wire to prevent harm to animals.

• Erosion control of the "gullying" effects of the Limpopo River.

• Eradication of alien vegetation species.

• Ongoing habitat rehabilitation initiatives.

The Tuli Wilderness Conservation Project offers participants the opportunity to become part of a new approach to game management. This "open" system of Trans-Frontier Areas creates as large an area as possible for game to move freely and migrate naturally across historically established national borders.

Prices:		GBP £	AUS $	ZAR R	US $
2 weeks		£ 1,050.00	$ 1,800.00	R 11,670.00	Please book through our office in San Diego, California www.deepintoafrica.com
3 weeks		£ 1,560.00	$ 2,650.00	R 17,500.00
4 weeks		£ 1,999.00	$ 3,530.00	R 23,350.00
					Currency Converter
Long Stay Rate per week - 6 weeks or longer:
				R 5435.00