Cheetah Conservation Project, Botswana

The Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) population size and range has declined dramatically over the last century making the cheetah Africa's most endangered cat species. The species is now threatened with extinction due to loss of habitat and prey, a diminishing gene pool and human persecution.

Botswana contains one of the largest remaining populations of free ranging cheetahs in the world. In 2008 it was estimated at 2000-3000 individuals, this represents approx 15% of the world population. However, cheetah populations are not safe within protected areas as they are out competed by stronger predators, such as lions and hyenas. The majority of Botswana cheetahs are found in marginal and agricultural land where they come into conflict with rural farming communities. The species long-term survival is dependent upon conservation management of these areas.

The Cheetah Project
Cheetah Conservation Botswana (CCB) aims to preserve the nation's cheetah and other wildlife through strong community outreach and education programs informed by high quality scientific research. The primary threat to cheetah and other wildlife comes through conflict with humans, particularly those living in rural areas. By working with farmers, rural communities and school groups we can help to reduce, mitigate or prevent conflict and therefore help local communities preserve their natural flora and fauna.

The project began in January 2003 in Botswana’s capital Gaborone and now has grown to include two other field bases in Jwaneng and Ghanzi. The Ghanzi Research Camp is the base for the research team and also has the Tiisano Education Bush Camp where CCB hosts school groups and other conservation education workshops. The research team works to assess the status, distribution and behavior of cheetah focusing on areas where there is potential conflict with humans. The research team also works alongside our community and education groups providing up-to-date information and monitoring the success of our own activities.

Cheetah Volunteer Programme Information:

Volunteer Activities

If you are 21 years or older and are able to speak English, you can support Cheetah Conservation Botswana by assisting as a paying research volunteer at CCB’s Ghanzi Camp. CCB runs a small and intimate volunteer program taking only two volunteers each month. This means our volunteers get to experience a wide range of our conservation activities.

Duties may include:
• Monitoring and tracking the activities and movement patterns of cheetah and other wildlife within the district
• Assisting with the running of education bush camps and other conservation workshops
• Assisting in visits to local farmers to discuss methods of predator control and livestock management
• Assisting in the capture and release of cheetah
• Prey analysis of cheetah
• Conducting various biodiversity surveys
• Data collection and input
• Camp maintenance

Camp life at CCB is varied and we try to make use of the skills and interests of each of our individual volunteers. We encourage you to make suggestions of how you may like to help and use your particular skills to full advantage. i.e. teaching, public relations, computer skills, camp maintenance.

Please note that CCB does not hold captive cheetah at our research base nor can we guarantee close contact with wild cheetah in the field.

Additional optional activities:

While staying in Ghanzi additional optional activities may be booked on arrival at an additional cost. These include rhino walks, San ‘Bushman’ (the indigenous people of southern Africa) cultural activities and game viewing. To get to our base in Ghanzi you will travel through Maun, the gateway to the famous Okavango Delta. We recommend you allow time either before or after your experience with CCB to enjoy the wonders of this amazing region.

Further volunteer requirements

You must be in good physical condition and be willing and able to tolerate temperature extremes and the minor difficulties of field life i.e. insects, lizards and other small creatures. While every attempt will be made to make your stay as comfortable as possible, it will be rustic compared to what you are used to. You must be available for at least 1 month (see dates below). You must be prepared to sign an indemnity form prior to arrival. This relieves the project of any legal responsibility should anything happen to you in the course of duty. You should have a positive attitude towards working and living within a multicultural group and respect the views and ways of others. We require our volunteers to be hard working and self motivated, but also patient and self-entertaining as the camp is isolated from the nearest town and there is little external entertainment. Mostly we require a flexibility and sense of humour as fieldwork in Africa can often be a little frustrating.

2012 Dates

1st to 31st March - 2 places
1st to 30th April - 1 place
1st to 31st May - 2 places
1st to 30th June - no places
1st to 31st August - no places
1st to 30th September - 1 place
1st to 31st October - 2 placesPlease email the Volunteer Coordinator victoria.mcneil@workingabroad.com for any questions.

Costs
The cost for one month is 1743 GBP, which covers all project costs, excluding food. Accommodation, transport during your stay (including transport from and to Maun airport), all training and supervision, Working Abroad Projects backup and placement support, are included (Click here for more on costs breakdown).

The airfare to Maun, travel/medical and cancellation insurance, passport and visa costs, food and personal expenses (such as telephone bills, socialising or medical expenses) and optional excursions (as listed above) are not included within this price. It is mandatory for you to take out travel and medical insurance for the duration of the project. In general, you can travel from your home country to Maun via Johannesburg in South Africa.

Accommodation & Food

You will be accommodated in your own wooden chalet or tent on the Tiisano farm, 20km from Ghanzi town centre. There are shared bathroom and kitchen facilities, and an office (with internet access). Volunteers are responsible for doing their own laundry by hand.

Cooking facilities are available, but the purchasing and cooking of food are the volunteers own responsibility. You can expect to spend $150 – 300 (US dollars) on food per month. Cleaning tasks are shared by staff and volunteers. It will be possible to travel to the local town weekly for grocery shopping and all basic foods and fresh meat, fruit and vegetables are available.

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