Conservation Research Africa (CRA) is a charity in England and Wales that conducts and supports applied research to inform conservation and wildlife management in Africa. Based in Malawi, CRAs flagship project is Carnivore Research Malawi (CRM), previously Wild Dog Conservation Malawi which conducts applied research, conservation and education to conserve hyaena, wild dog and other carnivores in Malawi.
We offer the opportunity for people with a passion for wildlife and wildlife research to volunteer their time to assist us in achieving our aims. We need as much help as we can get to make a difference for carnivores and their habitats in Africa, we are a small team with a big task ahead. In return it is our hope that volunteers will enjoy volunteering with us, meet like-minded people and develop new skills.
- Unique experience in the remote Kasungu National Park and/or Liwonde National Park:
Volunteers will have the opportunity to choose to be based at either (or both!) Kasungu National Park or Liwonde National Park.
Volunteers that are based at the CRM research camp in Kasungu National Park will be located at the Lifupa Lodge campsite, on the banks of the Lifupa Dam. Camp is rustic but very comfortable with canvas safari tents, equipped with beds, mattresses, linen, and generator power. Showers and toilets are located nearby. Volunteers share a large tent which can sleep up to 4 people, or smaller private tents may be available on request. Based in Kasungu National Park with so much to see and do you won’t be disappointed.
Volunteers who choose the research camp located in Liwonde National Park will stay at Mvuu camp, a Central African Wilderness Safaris Lodge on the banks of the mighty Shire river. The park harbours an abundant wildlife population including elephant, reedbuck, waterbuck, sable, hippo, buffalo, zebra, roan, eland and black rhino. Living in camp you will be on permanent safari, with regular visits to camp by elephants, hippos, warthogs and monkey. Accommodation here will comprise of safari tents (with beds) on wooden platforms with access to flushing toilets and hot showers. Accommodation may be shared with other staff at certain times of year.
- Gain new skills:
We conduct a variety of research projects giving you the opportunity to gain a diverse range of skills. We conduct research on all carnivores and their prey and have ongoing projects including: a Wild Dog Conservation Project (Kasungu National Park), a spotted Hyaena Ecology Project (Kasungu National Park), and a Hyaena Translocation Project (Liwonde National Park). These projects will involve radio tracking carnivores to obtain spatial data and will involve a range of surveying techniques including camera trapping, acoustic call ins, spotlighting and large mammal transects.
Volunteers are an important part of CRM and we hope to give everyone a fun and rewarding experience. Whatever your background, there is plenty you can contribute with a range of activities to match your interests and abilities. Our volunteers undertake a range of carnivore surveying and monitoring activities, as well as community education and awareness activities.
Contact Information:
If you are interested download the information pack and the application form from http://carnivoreresearchmalawi.org/volunteer.html and send your application to volunteer@carnivoreresearchmalawi.org
Contact us at volunteer@carnivoreresearchmalawi.org if you have any questions