Volunteer opportunity as field assistants for the project:
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 relating to eco-physiology, animal behavior,
evolution, 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, paternal care, communal nesting and
social flexibility in the striped mouse. One
focus is on the adaptation to droughts, combining
physiological, behavioral, ecological and
evolutionary research. As this species is diurnal
and the habitat is open, direct behavioral
observations in the field are possible.
What kind of people are needed?
Biology/zoology/veterinary students are preferred
as candidates. 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 o` clock), and stops its activity with dusk (19
o` clock). 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 striped mice;
direct behavioral observations in the field.
Volunteers will also see how blood samples are
collected for physiological measurements.
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 1300 (around 180 US$, 110 Euro)
must be paid for accommodation at the research
station. Students must buy their own food etc in
Springbok (costs of about R 3000, approx. 360 US$
or 250 Euro/month). Including extras (going out
for dinner; shopping), you should expect costs of
about 600 US$ / 450 Euros per month. 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: At the moment we are looking
for one or two volunteers starting in July /
August 2014 and for two volunteers starting in
December 2014/ January 2015. Volunteers are
expected to stay at least three months, but
longer periods of up to 6months 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
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected].
More information under
<http://stripedmouse.com/site1_3_5.htm>http://stripedmouse.com/site1_3_5.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6rvF5XrVn0&list=UUd12oFYqs5OobiiKMhDnFtw&index=1
Contact via e-mail:
<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]
Succulent Karoo Research Station
a registered South African non-profit organization
Dr. Carsten Schradin (Director)
South Africa
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!
_______________________________________________________
Dr. Carsten Schradin
Director of the Succulent Karoo Research Station
(South African non-profit organization), Goegap
Nature Reserve, PO Box 1010, 8240 Springbok, South Africa
<http://www.stripedmouse.com/>http://www.stripedmouse.com
