Volunteers needed from October 2019 onwards
Minimum stay 2 months
Evolution and Socio-Ecology of small Mammals in the Succulent Karoo of South Africa
Opportunity: This
is a great opportunity for anybody who wants to get more experience in
field work related to animal behavior, evolution, eco-physiology, and
ecology before starting an MSc or PhD project.
Project: We
study the evolutionary and ecological reasons as well as physiological
mechanisms of group living, solitary living, and social flexibility in
the striped mouse and the bush Karoo rat. One focus is on the adaptation
to droughts, combining physiological, behavioral, ecological and
evolutionary research. As these species are diurnal and the habitat is
open, direct behavioral observations in the field are possible.
What kind of people are needed? Applicants
must have an interest in working in the field and with animals. Hard
working conditions will await applicants, as the study species gets up
with sunrise (between 5 and 6 AM), and stops its activity with dusk (7
PM). Work during nights might also be necessary. Work in the field will
be done for 5 days a week. Applicants must be able to manage extreme
temperatures (below 0 at night in winter, sometimes over 40°C during
summer days). Applicants must both be prepared to live for long periods
in the loneliness of the field and to be part of a small social group.
Work of volunteer field assistants: Trapping,
marking and radio-tracking of small mammals; direct behavioral
observations in the field. Volunteers will also see how blood samples
are collected for physiological measurements and how we measure
metabolic rate. Volunteers are expected to help with maintenance of the
research station (water pump, solar power, etc.).
Confirmation letter:
Students get a letter of confirmation about their work and can prepare a
report of their own small project to get credit points from their
university for their bachelor or masters studies.
Costs: Students
have to arrange their transport to the field site themselves. Per
month, an amount of Rand 1750 (around 110 Euro) must be paid for
accommodation at the research station. Students must buy their own food
in Springbok. Including extras (going out for dinner; shopping), you
should expect costs of about 500 Euros or 600 US$ per month.
German students can apply for a grant from the Deutsche Akademischer Auslandsdienst (DAAD, www.daad.de).
Here, commonly travel grants of 300 Euro are given to students.
Students from other countries are encouraged to seek funding from their
home institutions / home country. Students get an invitation letter
which they can use to apply for funding in their home country.
Place: The
field site is in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok in the
North-West of South Africa. The vegetation consists of Succulent Karoo,
which has been recognized as one of 25 hotspots of biodiversity. It is a
desert to semi-desert with rain mainly in winter (June to September).
When and how long:
We are looking for volunteers to start in October 2019 as well as
beginning of 2020. Volunteers are expected to stay for a minimum of 2-3
months, though longer periods are preferred.
More information under
Working as a field assistant in Goegap Nature Reserve
A report by Romy Höppli, student at the University of Zurich, who staid in Goegap June to August 2008
Blue
skies without a single cloud for six weeks – rocky mountains with
little vegetation – yellow, orange and pink fields of flowers in
whatever direction you look – small mammals, lizards and birds in our
front yard and Mountain Zebras, Springbok and Ostrich right next door...
This
was my time at the Succulent Karoo Research Station in Goegap Nature
Reserve in South Africa! During six weeks from the beginning of July
until the middle of August I've been living here, studying mice,
experiencing nature like never before and being part of a small
community where there was always something to laugh and joke about!
After
arriving in Goegap, right the next morning my scientific adventure in
South Africa began: Setting and checking traps, nest observations and
radio-tracking were our daily routine. While I got bitten by the mice
quite often in the beginning and my right middle finger was scarred all
over, I improved quickly shaking the mice out of the traps, weighing
them and checking the number of the ear tag. Other duties like cleaning
the cages of the mice in the captive colony, washing the dirt from
probably several months out of the traps, painting the new Wendy House
and putting in a floor and curtains quickly added to our daily field
work activities.
It
was never boring in Goegap! There was always something to do: studying
the striped mouse, listening to the interesting and funny stories every
member could tell or just enjoying the time while reading a book or
writing e-mails to friends to tell them about this unique experience.
Here, the weekly trip back to 'civilization' in Springbok for shopping,
sending e-mails and having lunch at „Nando's“ - the best (Portuguese)
fast food I ever tasted - was always a highlight and the occasional trip
to „Beaver's“, the towns funniest pub, where all the locals went to,
was a good opportunity to dance, make party and enjoy the relaxed South
African way of life!
My
six weeks down here were full of great experiences and I enjoyed every
single day! Hopefully, I will be able to come back to Goegap Nature
Reserve one day!
