Tuli Conservation Project

  Botswana

Tuli block

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: year round

Description: The Tuli Conservation Project gives volunteers the opportunity to closely study 2 of Africas famous Big 5 species; the majestic African Elephant and the secretive Leopard. The volunteer camp, nestled within massive trees on the bank of the vast Limpopo River, is situated within Botswana. It is from here that the volunteers 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, the Volunteer, fit into this raw African conservancy.

The project is named after the Tuli Block, an area which forms part of the Limpopo/Shashe Trans Frontier Conservation Area, which also straddles the borders of South Africa and Zimbabwe allowing for natural migration of Elephant herds and other animal species.

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

* Monitoring range utilisation of the elephants as well as habitat use and vegetation damage assessment. GPS and computer mapping systems used for this.
* Developing personalised idenitification cards for each individual elephant.
* 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.

Tuli offers volunteers 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.

Please Note: This project involves quite a lot of walking and climbing of 'koppies' (rock outcrops) in order to monitor game, so a good level of fitness is required.

Qualifications: No qualification or previous experience are necessary, just an interest and passion for wildlife conservation.

Cost in US$: 3500

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Most of our volunteers have either finished college and want some international work experience before starting their career, or are taking a break from their career. Many are interested in wildlife conservation, but most have no previous experience or qualifications.

Age Range: 17-70

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Botswana Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 6

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

African Conservation Experience's Mission Statement: African Conservation Experience organizes work placements for volunteers of all ages on wildlife conservation projects in Southern Africa. We work only with projects that we assess as having a real and beneficial contribution to conservation efforts. Volunteers get very much involved with the work, rather than sitting back and observing, and provide a valuable resource to the projects. We pride ourselves on the quiality, integrity and frendliness of the service that we provide. We ensure that volunteers understand fully what is expected of them and place particular concern on volunteers' security and safety.

Year Founded: 1999