Predator research technicians pursuing a career in wildlife ecology
and/or conservation are needed to assist with a study aimed to test
non-lethal predator-human conflict mitigation measures on farmlands that
experience high livestock losses. Research technicians will be needed
from March 1 – November 1 2014 with 3 month commitments. The technicians
will assist graduate students from South African and Canadian
universities as well as The Cape Leopard Trust in assessing predator
behaviour, estimating prey diversity and veld (rangeland) grazing
condition. This work will be strenuous requiring technicians to work
long hours (10-hour days) and hike long distances (~5-15 km/day) over
rough and varying terrain and challenging weather conditions (semi-arid
shrubland with significant seasonal and daily variation in temperature
and rainfall). Research technicians will be involved in a minimum of 3
of the following activities depending on date of arrival:
1. Set and maintain camera trap stations
2. Visit GPS cluster locations (collared predators) and collect predator scat
3. Carry out habitat/vegetation surveys
4. Perform small mammal trapping
5. Data entry
6. Potential opportunity to assist with capturing caracal/jackal/leopard
LOCATION
The study area includes Namaqua National Park and surrounding farmlands
in the Northern Cape, South Africa. The area is approximately 100 km
east of the Atlantic Ocean coast and located in the Succulent Karoo, a
globally recognized biodiversity hotspot.
WAGE
Accommodation and on site (study area) transport will be provided.
Airfare, health insurance and food expenses on the project are the
responsibility of the applicant.
Required
1. Recent graduate or senior undergraduate in a BSc program in ecology,
wildlife management, animal biology, conservation biology, natural
resource science or related field
2. Strong hiker willing to work long hours in challenging conditions
3. Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to communicate clearly and effectively
4. Ability to work independently (self-motivated) with little supervision and as part of a team
5. Willingness to live in a remote rural setting with other project team members
Preferred previous experience
1. Predator ecology and/or wildlife-human conflict research
2. Fieldwork management experience
3. Orienteering with GPS unit, compass and map
4. Camera trapping
5. GPS cluster site investigations
6. Vegetation surveys
7. Experience in a developing country
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please send a cover letter, resume and contact information for 2
references to Kristine Teichman by Feb 15, 2014 at
karoo@capeleopard.org.za. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
and interviewed.