Carnivore conservation & research in Namibia
Highlights
Tracking drives | Carnivore data collection | Hike over tough terrain and in the heat from 10-15 km per day | No experience needed other than positive 'can do' attitude | Contribute to carnivore conservation | Meet other volunteers and local Namibians |Description of Carnivore conservation & research in Namibia
This fantastic fortnight in Namibia is for volunteers who don’t mind getting their hands dirty as they contribute to continuing carnivore conservation projects in southwest Africa.Namibia’s cheetah and big cat populations are under constant threat and the continued presence and research of our dedicated carnivore conservation team is often all that's standing between them and a farmer's gun.
Through our research and on-going support from volunteers, we intend to change the status of carnivores from dangerous aggressor to protected species.
We do this, primarily, by gathering big cat data and studying behaviour patterns before reporting our findings to farmers for them to understand the real v’s perceived threat.
Although volunteers don’t need any experience or relevant qualifications they will need to be fit enough to walk for up to 15kms on a daily basis over uneven and tough terrain and often in very hot conditions. Daily tasks will often include counting carnivores and other animals, setting up camera traps, collating paw prints, checking box traps, watching waterholes and seeking out trees that have been marked by cheetahs.
Please get in touch if you’d like to actively contribute to helping conserve carnivores in Namibia.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates
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Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
This project plays a vital role in rescuing and releasing threatened big cats in Namibia, and to help reduce human - wildlife conflict. The work carried out by this project aims at assessing whether or not translocations of cheetah and leopard are a viable, long-term option for dealing with so-called ‘problem animals'. Since the programme began in 2008, it has been responsible for the rescue and release of over 100 carnivores, including cheetah, leopard, caracal and brown hyenas.Rescue and release of ‘problem’ big cats is something that the project staff and volunteers continually work towards. This can either be achieved through ‘soft-release’ or ‘direct-release’. Any large carnivores who have been held in captivity for long periods of time, or those who have been rehabilitated from ill-health undergo a soft release into the wild, which involves their gradual re-introduction over a period of time. This allows them to learn how to survive alone once again.
The Impacts of this Trip
There is a common misconception that volunteering abroad must be a good thing and will positively benefit not just the volunteer but the host community and those involved. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The increased demand for volunteer placements in developing countries has been met by an influx of new projects and volunteer-sending organisations created purely to meet this demand. The result may cause devastating effects on local culture and result in the exploitation of both the volunteer and the host community.
This project strives to adhere to the strict Responsible Travel policy and has been developed so that it addresses actual local needs and has the community’s needs at its heart. Understanding and respecting the host community is paramount to the success of any project as long term commitment, support, and adoption of sound environment, economic and social practices. This project employs as many local people possible, making it sustainable socially as well as environmentally.
This project plays a vital role in rescuing and releasing threatened big cats in Namibia, and to help reduce human - wildlife conflict. The work carried out by this project aims at assessing whether or not translocations of cheetah and leopard are a viable, long-term option for dealing with so-called ‘problem animals'. Since the programme began in 2008, it has been responsible for the rescue and release of over 100 carnivores, including cheetah, leopard, caracal and brown hyenas.Rescue and release of ‘problem’ big cats is something that the project staff and volunteers continually work towards. This can either be achieved through ‘soft-release’ or ‘direct-release’. Any large carnivores who have been held in captivity for long periods of time, or those who have been rehabilitated from ill-health undergo a soft release into the wild, which involves their gradual re-introduction over a period of time. This allows them to learn how to survive alone once again.
The Impacts of this Trip
There is a common misconception that volunteering abroad must be a good thing and will positively benefit not just the volunteer but the host community and those involved. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The increased demand for volunteer placements in developing countries has been met by an influx of new projects and volunteer-sending organisations created purely to meet this demand. The result may cause devastating effects on local culture and result in the exploitation of both the volunteer and the host community.
This project strives to adhere to the strict Responsible Travel policy and has been developed so that it addresses actual local needs and has the community’s needs at its heart. Understanding and respecting the host community is paramount to the success of any project as long term commitment, support, and adoption of sound environment, economic and social practices. This project employs as many local people possible, making it sustainable socially as well as environmentally.
1 Reviews of Carnivore conservation & research in Namibia
Reviewed on 09 Oct 2018 by Mairi Hutchison
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All of it ! Being involved with an on-going human conflicr situation where the farmer was loosing livestock to a problem cheetah allowed me to see 1st hand the devastation that can be caused; then being lucky enough for our group to accompany the vet who darted the problem cheetah who had been caught in a catch cage, thanks to the skill and knowledge of our coordinator. The cheetah's vital signs were all checked, a new GPS collar fitted and then she was re-located.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring a few more layers than you might think you'll need .... I was there in Sept and at nights it dropped well below zero. But most importantly bring a camera to capture the amazing things you'll see and come ready to love every minute .... Neuras is stunning and the Neuras family (Karoline, Douglas, Laura, Weyland,
Ernesta to name but a few) are SO welcoming that you don't want to leave ??? Also come prepared to make life-long friends - I met the most awesome group of people who I know I will keep in touch with and hopefully either welcome to my home or see again somewhere !
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - Neuras is very eco-conscious, employs a lot of local people and thanks to my coordinator Karoline, I really felt I learned SO much about not just the wildlife but birds, vegetation, the environment, the geography and conservation. I also know we worked hard to support farmers facing threat and danger from animals to improve human-animal conflict.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
FANTASTIC WONDERFUL AMAZING INCREDIBLE. The best 2 weeks of my
life ??????.
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