Great Lion Project

The Great Lion Project includes training and observation responsibilities. During observation periods a chronological record of activities is kept, including: activity; spatial movement; prey encounters; group composition; hunting behaviour; estimated percentage utilization of kill and kill information (Estinamted age, sex, and species of prey); full ratings; success rate; and interactions with other predators. Depending on the activity of the predators and time of day, the team will either sit and wait for them to move and follow them, or mark their location for monitoring later that day.

Volunteers will be assigned vehicle responsibilities including radio telemetry, data input, GPS operation, and map reading. Once the research animal has been located, usually after some kilometres of tracking and Bundu bashing, the volunteers are taught how to identify each of the animals and taught what data needs to be collected.

Volunteers during the training period will assist research assistants with tracking collared research focus predators which are mainly Lions but include a resident collared leopard named Cleo, as well as the elephants and black rhinos resident on the reserve. Radio telemetry is used for this which will progress as research as soon as the training is complete.

Training includes: conservation; reserve management; bird/mammal/reptile identification; tracking; tree identification; and ecology. Volunteers will also be trained to use research equipment, GPS, and telemetry.

The Great Lion Project is based in the spectacular privately-owned Selati game reserve, in South Africa. Upon arrival, volunteers will receive a full orientation and health & safety brief, which are followed by continuous infield training in order to give them a baseline understanding of the South African bush and research in the field.

Volunteers will be involved with:
• Farm management activities, including alien plant removal, the cleaning of vehicles and road maintenance (especially of trees pushed over by elephants)!
• Monitoring conditions of white rhino populations
• Monitoring herd movements and social groups of elephants.
• Determining and monitoring predator numbers within the reserve including lions, leopards, hyena and cheetah
• Monitoring spatial movements and territories across the reserve of predators and mega herbivores
• Monitoring social dynamic of lion population
• Monitoring feeding behaviour, prey selection and kill frequencies and the impact of lion and other predators on prey species.
• Tracking and monitoring via GPS the parks population of critically endangered black rhinos.

Volunteers may also assist with additional duties when these animals are located:
• White rhino condition analysis studies to score condition of the rhino encountered and determine their nutritional status.
• Elephant studies to monitor movements, habituate herds, and ID the herd structure.

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