Volunteer: Crocodile and Terrestrial Herpetofaunal Surveys

The Pongola Game Reserve is a private wildlife reserve situated along the Pongolapoort Dam in northern KwaZulu-Natal province. This program encompasses monthly Nile crocodile daytime and spotlight counts, as well as terrestrial herpetofaunal surveys, which are conducted for a week each month during low moonlight conditions. The terrestrial habitat consists of thornveld savanna. Crocodile counts are conducted from a boat. Herpetological assessments rely on pitfall and funnel trap arrays, which are checked twice a day. Volunteers are transported across the protected area in an open-backed vehicle. The area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including hippos, ostriches, and several game species, which are frequently sighted during field activities. Elephants and leopards are occasion...