Turing Scheme Wildlife Management Program

1. Amazon Wildlife Conservation – Ecuador

This 2-week wildlife rescue program will take place over the Easter break with a group 15 students.

In week 1, students live at a wildlife rescue sanctuary, engaging in structured training, learning about the animals of the Amazon, the challenges faced by habitat destruction and human interference, and techniques used by conservationists in the rehabilitation and release of captive animals.

Ecuadorian veterinarians, biologists, and zoologists provide instruction on animal nutrition, behaviour and monitoring techniques.

Students will apply their knowledge, developing behavioural enrichment structures, carrying out monitoring activities, and helping feed the animals.

Accommodation will be in log cabins on site.

For week 2, students move to a nearby ecological reserve where researchers train students in habitat conservation, ecology, and techniques used to monitor and gather data in conservation initiatives. Students participate in monitoring projects and apply the techniques they learn. We will be housed at the on-site lodge.

2. Wildlife Management – Zimbabwe

This 15-day African wildlife management training program takes place in Antelope Park Game reserve in Zimbabwe during the easter holidays.

The program hosts a group of 20 students with 2 support adults, housed in dorm rooms of 4-6 people. We will be provided with 3 meals a day at the site.

This program introduces students to land management and wildlife conservation within a 3000 acre game reserve. Students will take part in educational game drives and bush walks, participate in reforestation and anti-poaching initiatives, and assist the on-site team with important research being carried out.

As part of this training program, students will learn about the African savanna ecosystem, and the various aspects of wildlife, land and waste management. Combining educational workshops with practical tasks such as tree planting and snare sweeping, students will develop an understanding of the type of conservation work and environmental research that is required to preserve and protect African wildlife and habitats.

Students will be involved in a variety of activities and workshops, including;

• Anti-poaching exercises: Students will learn about the impact of poaching on African wildlife, and will take part in bush walks to locate and remove poachers’ traps.
• Reforestation and soil conservation efforts: Looking at the role of trees and soil in an ecosystem, students will learn how to identify different types of trees, and assist with tree planting and soil repair at multiple erosion sites.
• Avian research: The reserve is home to over 200 bird species. Students will learn how to classify different birds, and conduct surveys to count the different types of species in the area at that time.
• Identifying and monitoring the movement of mammals- Students will learn about mammal classification and learn how to identify animal tracks during bush walks. Early morning game drives will give students the opportunity to conduct game counts and behavioural surveys.
• Exploring and protecting the African bush-Students will learn about bush survival and navigation skills, and be introduced to the river based ecosystem, observing reptiles and amphibians. They will also conduct litter sweeps, collect water, and learn about living off the land in a sustainable way.

3. African wildlife savanna ecology – Eswatini

This 16-day African ecology training program takes place in the Mbuluzi Game reserve in Eswatini during the Summer holidays. The program hosts a group of 14 students with 2 support adults, housed in 2-man tents with camp beds. We will be provided with 3 meals a day at our camp. This program introduces students to ecology and ecosystems within the African Savannah, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Students will learn about the flora and fauna of the savannah.

As part of this training program, students will learn about the research work being carried out at the site and participate in data gathering, monitoring and evaluation that goes into this work. By learning then applying these techniques, they will develop an understanding of the type of work involved in this field of environmental research and conservation.

There will be three focus projects that students will involve with;

• Biodiversity monitoring: Carrying out transects, counts, sampling, recording and data entry to map biodiversity in an area, examining differences between protected areas, rural communities and agricultural areas
• Reptile research: With a focus on leopard tortoise and lizards, students will be involved in locating, tagging, weighing and measuring individuals and looking at how changes in vegetation and boundaries affect range and movement patterns
• Avian research: Learning about species identification, get involved in nest monitoring and banding with raptors and Helmetted Guinea fowl.
• Within the reserve, students will also see giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, warthog, crocodile, and more, and learn how the interaction between all these inhabitants maintains balance in the savannah ecosystem.