Transfrontier Africa is a South African Non-Profit Company with over 15 years of experience. Our 3 pillars are Conservation Research, Wildlife & Landscape Security and Environmental Education.
Transfrontier Africa is based in Olifants West Nature Reserve that forms a part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Originally focusing primarily on ecological research and protected area management, Transfrontier Africa partners with several local and international research institutions to develop local talents in conservation and ensure its contribution to global conservation efforts.
We are offering a unique volunteer program in partnership with Ingwe Research Program, another Non-Profit Company.
Ingwe Research Program's purpose is to ignite a passion for conservation by empowering people in South Africa to become stewards of African wildlife and their ecosystems, with the leopard as a flagship species, through empirical research. They are collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders - game reserves & lodges, NGOs/NPOs & for profits organizations, local government, residents & tourists.
Their citizen science model involves engaging individuals in leopard monitoring, transforming data into actionable conservation efforts. By fostering a deeper connection between people and leopards, they aim to increase coexistence and ensure the long-term survival of these magnificent creatures.
Since its inception less than two years ago, IRP has achieved remarkable results. They have enrolled 30 reserves, engaged over 350 citizen scientists, and collected over 7,000 leopard images. Through advanced image analysis, they have identified over 100 individual leopards, providing crucial data for conservation management.
Why participate to this volunteer program?
1. You become a true team member of Ingwe Research Program.
2. You play a key role in the biggest carnivore-focus citizen science project in South Africa.
3. You learn from experienced conservationists.
4. You become a professional in using AI for conservation on one of the most widely used platforms in Africa.
5. You partake in a range of further research activities with the other volunteers (e.g. wildlife monitoring, game counts, predator diet study, alien vegetation control etc...)
If you are keen to improve your knowledge and contribute to conservation whilst experiencing the sights and sounds of animals roaming freely in their natural habitat you will not be disappointed!
Your responsibilities
1. Learn to use two different AI platforms - Trap Tagger and the African Carnivore Wildbook.
2. Process camera trap images from our reserve.
3. Format leopard data collected by the camera traps and from sightings. You will mainly be working on data from our reserve, Kapama Game Reserve, Raptors View Wildlife Estate, the Blue Canyon Conservancy, Makalali Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park.
4. Process all camera traps data on Trap Tagger.
5. Do bulk imports on the African Carnivore Wildbook platform and run the AI.
6. Prepare and update ID kits.
7. Assist with the other research projects, the Bush Babies Environmental Education Program and the Black Mambas anti-poaching unit.
Requirements to participate to the program:
- Two months stay minimum
- Being enrolled in a degree in a relevant field, such as Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Conservation Science, Environmental Science, or a related discipline is an added advantage.
- Willing to learn, focused, detail-orientated and meticulous. These qualities are crucial as you will be going through intense training and be dealing with a high amount of sensitive data.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with research team members.
- You will sign a Memorandum of Understanding that states the terms of collaboration between you, Transfrontier Africa and Ingwe Research Program.
- You will also have to sign a confidentiality clause linked to data security.
Cost
USD50 a day
Includes:
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
Ndlovu Bush Camp, Olifants West Nature Reserve, Hoedspruit, Western Cape 1380, ZA
Transfrontier Africa aims to develop resilience for the protected area network and all indigenous biota, ecological processes and services, through a multi-generational investment that will build allies in all affected communities, developing sound conservation values and environmental patriotism whilst using sound scientific methods to guide and evaluate decision-making.
Transfrontier Africa is based in Olifants West Nature Reserve that forms a part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Originally focusing primarily on ecological research and protected area management, Transfrontier Africa partners with several local and international research institutions to develop local talents in conservation and ensure its contribution to global conservation efforts. When the rhino poaching crisis emerged in the area in 2013, Transfrontier Africa realigned its approach to tackle this new challenge. A multi-pronged approach was then developed to address the problem and research; socio-economic, technological and tactical solutions were developed and implemented. The internationally renowned Black-Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) was created, empowering women from local communities as part of an innovative anti-poaching tactic.
Ndlovu CampOlifants West Nature ReserveHoedspruit, Limpopo 1380South Africa
September 13, 2024
