mercredi 17 juillet 2019

volunteers striped mouse project, South Africa

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.
How to apply? Send a short motivation letter stating why and for which period you are interested and your CV via email to succulent.karooo.research.station@kabelbw.de.

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!