Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The wilds of South Africa are home to an astounding variety of magnificent animals, big and small. Join us to study and assist with efforts to conserve, protect and increase African wildlife populations that are threatened by habitat destruction, development, poaching and hunting. Living at the Enkosini Wildlife Sanctuary, work and learn alongside conservationists, researchers and veterinarians as they strive to rescue, rehabilitate and provide sanctuary for Africa’s endangered creatures including giraffes, zebras, rhinos and elephants. Explore Kruger National Park — one of Africa’s oldest, largest and most renowned national parks — in search of impalas, lions, buffaloes and hippos. Teach local schoolchildren about the importance of wildlife conservation. We take inflatable kayaks through the dramatic Blyde River Canyon, the site where the prehistoric Gondwanaland super-continent tore apart, creating Africa and Asia, as well as one of Africa's natural wonders.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- Learn research methods used by biologists to understand animal behavior, ecology, and conservation.
- Explore the biology, behavior, natural history, and ecology of South African Wildlife.
- Learn about the conservation threats to predators as a whole and strategies for mitigating these threats.
- Be able to relate the conservation threats facing predators in South Africa to those faced by other animals in other ecosystems throughout the world.
LECTURE TOPICS
- Overview of Predators in South Africa
- Migration patterns
- Social Behavior
- Feeding ecology and Ranging Behavior
- Introduction to conservation
- Africas Wildlife
- Habitat Loss and fragmentation
- Extinction Biology
- Kids Saving the game animals (guest lecture)
- Conservation Strategies
FIELD STUDIES & EXERCISES
- Safari Game Drives.
- Wildlife Rehabilitation project.
- Safari habitat conservation project.
What are my next steps?
Broadreach in action. Want a glimpse of the freedom of life on a yacht? Or the thrill of diving with sharks in Fiji, surfing in Baja or cresting the ridge above Machu Picchu? Watch our videos to see and hear our adventures firsthand, and start wishing you were there.