The Project
Wildlife Research Expedition in South Africa

Please note that exact project details are always subject to change due to weather conditions, time of year and game movements. Also, every October new research focuses are identified for the following year.

Expedition Aims

For Karongwe and Venetia:

• To determine the impact of reintroduced mammals on game reserves and to help with their management and conservation. Research of this kind will play an important part in the management of future conservation areas
• To investigate the impact of predators on the prey species for more effective conservation and management of these valuable resources
• To establish and monitor the density of large predators within the reserve
• To record prey selection and kill frequencies, and the impact on prey populations
• To monitor movement patterns, territories and competition between predators on the reserve
• To investigate the reserves’ prey populations, distribution and density, and how this relates to the predators’ movements and territories (Karongwe).

For the mountain satellite camp:

• To conduct a biodiversity study to compile a comprehensive species inventory of this highly important and fragile area, which is now a national park
• To encourage community involvement and skills exchange with local guides.

1) Predator management

The team will allocate the majority of their time to detailed monitoring of predators on the reserves. Any tracks and signs of predator activity will be noted to supplement the information gained from the direct observations made on monitoring drives, and therefore give a more detailed survey of the predators inhabiting the reserve. At present all predators are monitored with equal emphasis, but focuses are subject to change.

Currently, collared focus animals on Karongwe include two lions; three cheetahs; two leopards; one spotted hyena. On Venetia the teams are following six collared lions; a pack of wild dogs; a brown hyena; three black backed jackals. It should be noted that these exact numbers change constantly and many individuals are part of a broader social unit. Also, the priorities regularly shift so that we can best help our partners with their work.

Cheetah energetics: GVI and its partners are initiating a pilot study to investigate the energetics of captive and wild cheetah using the double-labeled water technique. The program is in its initial stages, and a pilot study is underway to see if a scientific method for determining energy expenditure is a feasible study for GVI.

2) Sex/age ratios of animals

On Karongwe GVI has set up repeatable routes to record the sex and age ratios of herbivore species on the reserve more accurately. These will be carried out four times a year during each ten-week expedition to collect data on prey distribution, population dynamics and density, and how this effects the movements of the predators over time.

3) Vegetation monitoring

Expedition members will carry out extensive vegetation transects to complete the vegetation map of the conservancy, and to monitor elephant impact on sensitive areas of the reserve. This activity is seasonal and carried out annually only.

4) Ecological studies

Species lists will be built up over the expedition period on vegetation, mammals and birds observed to update the species list.

5) Mountain conservation and biodiversity project

Expedition members will spend five days out of the five weeks on a mountain satellite camp, exploring the area and helping to conduct the biodiversity survey.

6) Other activities and ecological studies

Other projects will be carried out to collect information on other important aspects of the reserve ecology. Expedition Members may be called on to assist with short-term conservation projects for the reserve, such as alien vegetation eradication. There may also be opportunities for the team to be involved with the exciting work of darting and fitting of radio tracking collars to lion, cheetah and leopards.

7) Community projects

We will attempt to run open days for the local communities where children from the nearby villages can come for an educational day planned by the expedition members and staff. The day will focus on allowing children the chance to get a taste of the reserve, see the animals and go away with a message on the importance of conservation.

Mountain Satellite Camp

This additional phase was developed to allow volunteers to ‘stretch their legs’ and experience more than one of the diverse biomes within South Africa. At Mariepskop we aim to contribute towards the conservation of a valuable resource, as well as enhancing the expedition member’s experience and knowledge of a spectacular biome. Little research has been carried out in this unique area and GVI has been requested to help develop inventories of all the fauna and flora of the areas, including monitoring the recovery of the rehabilitated plantation areas.

Mariepskop is the satellite camp for the Karongwe expedition base. It is situated on the rim of the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, and the largest green canyon. Of huge international significance, it is soon to be established as a world heritage site and national park. The Mariepskop complex is separated from the rest of the Drakensberg mountain range by tributaries of the Klaserie and Blyde Rivers, forming a deep canyon. This area has naturally become a protected island, and is home to the rare and diverse Afro-montane forest, as well as fynbos.. Little research has been carried out on this small but significant pocket of diverse fauna and flora. GVI aims to assist in setting up biodiversity studies in the area and to monitor rehabilitated areas in partnership with the Mpumalanga Parks Board and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF). GVI also aims to exchange skills with the newly-trained local guides to learn more about conservation and help them develop their trails.

From Venetia, expedition members head out to an equally spectacular satellite camp location- Lesheba Wilderness in the remarkably biodiverse Soutpansberg Mountains. All the land between the Soutpansberg, Venetia Reserve itself and the Limpopo River is part of a proposed Biosphere Reserve, and the land-owners at Lesheba are driving this initiative. On the farm we assist with habitat management and have started skills exchange with local community members. The few days we spend at Lesheba also allows us to explore the myriad of hiking routes on the property. Our work with this relatively new partner is still taking shape so the future may hold other new and exciting roles for GVI teams at Lesheba Wilderness.

All expedition members will spend about five days in the mountains every five weeks, where your time will be divided between doing the various activities such as biodiversity studies and hiking. Initially you will take a day to acclimatise to the new environment, and there will be time to relax before embarking on a hike. The community guides may accompany the group, educating you about the flora and fauna and allowing you to become familiar with the area. The team will be trained in how to conduct biodiversity studies and practical work in the forest, and currently the main focus is on small mammal and invertebrate studies. This quick, one-week respite from the heat of the Lowveld should leave you refreshed and energetic for the continuation of the predator monitoring on the game reserves!