Phinda Wildlife Management Project
Location
South Africa: Kwa-Zulu Natal
Description
Few reserves in the whole of Africa have the biodiversity that the Phinda Game Reserve does. It is home to a dazzling variety of wildlife in all its forms; amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and aquatic species. Sandwiched between the warm Indian Ocean, the huge estuary of St Lucia and the Lebombo mountains, Phinda is one of the most successful modern day stories of large mammal reintroduction. An area whose large mammals were severely depleted is now once again teeming with lion, white and black rhino, elephant, giraffe, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest and buffalo! The increase in numbers of animals and the continued growth of the reserve's size has made it possible for Phinda to employ a full time qualified researcher. Volunteers at Phinda become research assistants, part of the team, and actively involved in studying the wonderful biodiversity of this stunning game reserve.
Highlights
Big Cat research:
Phinda has a large population of Cheetah and individual identification and movement patterns are being recorded. The project also has an active leopard research project and volunteers may be afforded the opportunity to help with this research if the opportunity arises. Phinda does ongoing lion population control and when this occurs volunteers will be afforded the opportunity to view and if possible partake.
Rhino Monitoring:
Since the initial reintroduction of a handful of White Rhino onto the reserve, the population now exceeds over 100 individuals! The reserve is developing a detailed and accurate database of individual animals, including sex, age and territorial information. White rhinos are ear-notched to allow for animals to be individually recognizable.
Elephant Population Monitoring:
The ever increasing Elephant population on the reserve is monitored and growth rates recorded. This is carried out by radio-tracking the individual breeding herds and through opportunistic sightings of bulls. Behavioral research is also done - elephant contraception is being used at Phinda (a more ethical alternative to culling), and the effects of this are important to monitor.