Predator Research Project - South Africa

Environmental Career Center; Limpopo; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A wildlife research organization in Limpopo, South Africa, is offering an internship focused on carnivore ecology. Interns will engage in predator population studies and habitat assessments. Responsibilities include camera maintenance, data processing, and fieldwork. The position is ideal for ecology students seeking hands-on conservation experience and offers comprehensive training and accommodation.

Benefits

On-site accommodation

Training in ecological monitoring techniques

Qualifications

• Comfortable working independently in field settings.
• Moderate level of physical fitness required.
• Attention to detail essential for data management tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support maintenance of camera grid and tag images.
• Identify predators using databases and conduct transects.
• Record predator signs using GPS.

Job description

About Us

WildComm Research Stations operate within the diverse savannah ecosystems of Limpopo, South Africa. Our team supports ecological research and long-term monitoring projects, providing critical data for conservation and wildlife management in the region.

Location: Private wildlife reserve, home to three of the Big Five

Internship Overview

This internship offers hands-on experience in wildlife research, focusing specifically on carnivore ecology. Interns will contribute to an ongoing study examining predator population trends, activity patterns, habitat use, and interspecies interactions across the reserve. This is a field-based and data-intensive position, suitable for students pursuing studies in ecology, conservation biology, or related disciplines.

Key Objectives

• Understand long-term population trends of key predator species on the reserve
• Investigate daily, lunar, and seasonal activity patterns
• Assess predator movement and habitat use, including interspecies dynamics

Responsibilities

• Support maintenance of a grid of cameras
• Tag and process images
• Identify patterned predators (e.g., Leopard, Civet, Genet) using our databases
• Extract metadata and maintain accurate records for analysis
• Under supervision, conduct regular walking transects along key roads and paths
• Record predator tracks, scat, and other signs using GPS

Requirements

• Comfortable working independently and in a team in field settings, under the guidance of field coordinators
• Moderate level of physical fitness, though most interns find their stamina improves over time (fieldwork is conducted on foot in rugged terrain and in challenging weather)
• Attention to detail and willingness to spend time on data management tasks
• Previous field or camera trap experience is not required

What You’ll Gain

• Fieldwork experience in a diverse and biodiverse savannah reserve
• Training in camera trapping, predator ID, data processing, and ecological monitoring techniques
• Exposure to real-world conservation and research challenges

Duration: Flexible — 2+ months recommended

Conservation Fee

Your contribution helps support critical conservation work.

The conservation fee also includes:

• Full training and research equipment
• On-site accommodation

Transport:

• Students will be fetched in the nearest town, Louis Trichardt, where they will be assisted by a staff member to do their shopping.
• Biweekly town trips for supplies.