Volunteer Work at the Landmark Foundation
09th July 2009
If you, or someone you know consider to work abroad on a volunteer project, the Landmark Foundation is offering a fantastic opportunity.
Background:
The Landmark Foundation recognises that the intact natural landscapes of Southern Africa region are under threat from irresponsible human activities. These landscapes are now amongst our most treasured landmarks. The threats to these places are the result of land uses that have degraded the aesthetic value of the areas and the biodiversity patterns and
processes contained in them, and in most cases for short-term financial gain. What is required is a landmark change of thinking and behaviour, whereby biodiversity and landscape conservation provides investment returns and benefits to people, that in turn creates incentives for its conservation. The Landmark Foundation will strive to build the conservation economy so that these landscapes can effectively be conserved.
The Landmark Foundation was founded in 2004. The conservation-minded Director, Dr. Bool Smuts of the Landmark Foundation has been concerned that not enough attention is focussed on direct implementation in the change of land-use to conservation. It is clear that there is a need to focus on a very practical basis on hectares brought into effective
biodiversity conservation as a yardstick of success, whether in living landscapes or as pure
conservation areas.
Landmark Foundation
Leopard and Predator Project:
Conservation agencies believe that significant persecution of leopards and other predators still occur in the western region of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This Leopard and Predator Project aims to address this persecution of predators, and leopards in particular, by establishing a predator rescue, rehabilitation, release and research project. Methods of addressing this persecution behaviour will also be investigated, and most importantly incentives will be developed to change this persecution behaviour, through a meat greenlabelling initiative.
Specifically the project runs:
• A predator rescue, rehabilitation and release service,
• Advocate the banning of gin and poison traps and other cruel and barbaric means of
capturing and killing these animals,
• Provide alternative, holistic and acceptable management practices in dealing with the
predator – livestock farmer conflicts,
• Research leopard populations and behaviour to inform management practices, and
• Establish market mechanisms to solve the problem, inclusive of green-labelling schemes and consumer pressure campaigns resulting in incentives of better financial returns on farming produce for those landowners conserving predators on their land.
• Expand viable habitats for predators through the establishment of conservation areas to that effect and working with willing landowners that continue to farm through holistic predator management practices.
Leopards are considered by some livestock farmers to be a threat to their livelihoods.
Leopards are hunted in an attempt to manage this hreat and are unintentionally caught in gin traps and snares set for other predators and game. Other methods of predator control include hunting by dog-packs and poison traps. In the last 5 years, 28 individual leopards have died in the Baviaanskloof Mega-reserve and Greater Addo Elephant National Park planning domains between November 2002 and the present. Between April 2004 and January 2008, 20
successful leopard rescues and releases were conducted by the Landmark Foundation. Of the 28 individuals that are known to have died, they onstitute only the leopards that the conservation agencies were aware of, the actual number is likely to be much greater. It is suspected that there may be significant numbers of leopards that were killed that did not come to the attention of the local conservation agencies.
The leopard is the charismatic top-predator specie in the region and, as a result, its plight captures the attention of the public. Other predator species also suffer similar fates. The caracal, jackal and eagle are some of the other prominent species that suffer ongoing persecution in the area, but almost all predators are relentlessly targeted. In addressing the
plight of leopards, significant impact may be made for the conservation these other predators.
The leopard research program requires patience and energy as these animals cover large areas which are usually inhospitable to traverse. It can take days to weeks and sometimes longer before the animals are located. This makes locating the individuals that much more rewarding. The sophisticated collars the captured leopards are fitted with, stores 6 GPS readings per day. This gives us insight into the habits and movements of leopards scientists have been trying to establish for over 15 years in the Cape areas of South Africa.
Finally, for the first time, we have exact movements of 6 leopards, and are continually trying to capture, collar and release more leopards to acquire this information. Maps such as the one below are studied to decipher the leopard population in the Baviaanskloof and Greater Addo regions of the Eastern Cape. To further gain insight into these elusive creatures’ worlds, camera traps are used to establish prey bases and to identify individuals. The results to date have been phenomenal.
As part of the volunteer project it must be accepted
that leopards are elusive and their movements unpredictable. The capturing of animals and visual sightings can not be guaranteed, however tracking using VHF telemetry allows audio location of leopard.
Map of a male leopard (orange) and two female leopards in the Baviaanskloof
This picture was taken by a camera trap that the students will maintain
Aims of the Volunteer Programme:
The Landmark Foundation Predator Project is introducing a Volunteer Programme. The objectives of the programme are to introduce interested parties to the conservation of predators in the Baviaanskloof and extended regions of focus. All proceeds are used to achieve the conservation objectives of the Landmark Foundation which is to conserve not only predators, but important ecological processes and ultimately biodiversity. We will benefit greatly from exchange of ideas with volunteers as well as the energy they will contribute.
Accommodation:
The volunteers will live in Port Elizabeth when not in the Baviaanskloof. The four bedroomed home offers fully equipped kitchen and spacious entertainment area, with internet access, allows for a comfortable stay. A maximum of two students will share a room. Two managers will be based with the volunteers. Camping in the Baviaanskloof or living in a fully equipped, comfortable cave will also be experienced during the stay. All equipment will be provided.
Students and managers do the cooking and cleaning. Food will be provided and the students and managers will share cooking schedules for the month. We try as far as possible to provide fresh, local, organic produce. Vegetarians are also catered for.
Activities:
Students will have tasks set out during the week, and weekends will allow time to enjoy swimming, canoeing and other adventure activities. Conservation activities are planned to be fun while making a difference. It’s up to you to make the best of it. These activities are subject to change according the weather and the capturing of leopards or predators needing to be rescued.
Additional adventure activities such as learning how to Surf, Bungi Jumping and Tree Top Adventures not included in the program are available at additional costs, usually between R200 to R1000, depending on the activity.
Overall Monthly Plan
Day 1 Orientation
Day 2 Sight seeing
Day 3 – Day 6: Greater Addo Elephant National Park
Day 6 – Day 11: Baviaanskloof
Day 11 – Day 14: Port Elizabeth
Day 14 – Day 18: Tsitsikama National Park and the Crags
Day 18 – Day 20: Wilderness National Park
Day 20 – Day 24: Port Elizabeth
Day 24: Extension work (interacting with farmers)
For more details and to book your place on the project, please contact Leigh@LandmarkFoundation.org.za.
Background:
The Landmark Foundation recognises that the intact natural landscapes of Southern Africa region are under threat from irresponsible human activities. These landscapes are now amongst our most treasured landmarks. The threats to these places are the result of land uses that have degraded the aesthetic value of the areas and the biodiversity patterns and
processes contained in them, and in most cases for short-term financial gain. What is required is a landmark change of thinking and behaviour, whereby biodiversity and landscape conservation provides investment returns and benefits to people, that in turn creates incentives for its conservation. The Landmark Foundation will strive to build the conservation economy so that these landscapes can effectively be conserved.
The Landmark Foundation was founded in 2004. The conservation-minded Director, Dr. Bool Smuts of the Landmark Foundation has been concerned that not enough attention is focussed on direct implementation in the change of land-use to conservation. It is clear that there is a need to focus on a very practical basis on hectares brought into effective
biodiversity conservation as a yardstick of success, whether in living landscapes or as pure
conservation areas.
Landmark Foundation
Leopard and Predator Project:
Conservation agencies believe that significant persecution of leopards and other predators still occur in the western region of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This Leopard and Predator Project aims to address this persecution of predators, and leopards in particular, by establishing a predator rescue, rehabilitation, release and research project. Methods of addressing this persecution behaviour will also be investigated, and most importantly incentives will be developed to change this persecution behaviour, through a meat greenlabelling initiative.
Specifically the project runs:
• A predator rescue, rehabilitation and release service,
• Advocate the banning of gin and poison traps and other cruel and barbaric means of
capturing and killing these animals,
• Provide alternative, holistic and acceptable management practices in dealing with the
predator – livestock farmer conflicts,
• Research leopard populations and behaviour to inform management practices, and
• Establish market mechanisms to solve the problem, inclusive of green-labelling schemes and consumer pressure campaigns resulting in incentives of better financial returns on farming produce for those landowners conserving predators on their land.
• Expand viable habitats for predators through the establishment of conservation areas to that effect and working with willing landowners that continue to farm through holistic predator management practices.
Leopards are considered by some livestock farmers to be a threat to their livelihoods.
Leopards are hunted in an attempt to manage this hreat and are unintentionally caught in gin traps and snares set for other predators and game. Other methods of predator control include hunting by dog-packs and poison traps. In the last 5 years, 28 individual leopards have died in the Baviaanskloof Mega-reserve and Greater Addo Elephant National Park planning domains between November 2002 and the present. Between April 2004 and January 2008, 20
successful leopard rescues and releases were conducted by the Landmark Foundation. Of the 28 individuals that are known to have died, they onstitute only the leopards that the conservation agencies were aware of, the actual number is likely to be much greater. It is suspected that there may be significant numbers of leopards that were killed that did not come to the attention of the local conservation agencies.
The leopard is the charismatic top-predator specie in the region and, as a result, its plight captures the attention of the public. Other predator species also suffer similar fates. The caracal, jackal and eagle are some of the other prominent species that suffer ongoing persecution in the area, but almost all predators are relentlessly targeted. In addressing the
plight of leopards, significant impact may be made for the conservation these other predators.
The leopard research program requires patience and energy as these animals cover large areas which are usually inhospitable to traverse. It can take days to weeks and sometimes longer before the animals are located. This makes locating the individuals that much more rewarding. The sophisticated collars the captured leopards are fitted with, stores 6 GPS readings per day. This gives us insight into the habits and movements of leopards scientists have been trying to establish for over 15 years in the Cape areas of South Africa.
Finally, for the first time, we have exact movements of 6 leopards, and are continually trying to capture, collar and release more leopards to acquire this information. Maps such as the one below are studied to decipher the leopard population in the Baviaanskloof and Greater Addo regions of the Eastern Cape. To further gain insight into these elusive creatures’ worlds, camera traps are used to establish prey bases and to identify individuals. The results to date have been phenomenal.
As part of the volunteer project it must be accepted
that leopards are elusive and their movements unpredictable. The capturing of animals and visual sightings can not be guaranteed, however tracking using VHF telemetry allows audio location of leopard.
Map of a male leopard (orange) and two female leopards in the Baviaanskloof
This picture was taken by a camera trap that the students will maintain
Aims of the Volunteer Programme:
The Landmark Foundation Predator Project is introducing a Volunteer Programme. The objectives of the programme are to introduce interested parties to the conservation of predators in the Baviaanskloof and extended regions of focus. All proceeds are used to achieve the conservation objectives of the Landmark Foundation which is to conserve not only predators, but important ecological processes and ultimately biodiversity. We will benefit greatly from exchange of ideas with volunteers as well as the energy they will contribute.
Accommodation:
The volunteers will live in Port Elizabeth when not in the Baviaanskloof. The four bedroomed home offers fully equipped kitchen and spacious entertainment area, with internet access, allows for a comfortable stay. A maximum of two students will share a room. Two managers will be based with the volunteers. Camping in the Baviaanskloof or living in a fully equipped, comfortable cave will also be experienced during the stay. All equipment will be provided.
Students and managers do the cooking and cleaning. Food will be provided and the students and managers will share cooking schedules for the month. We try as far as possible to provide fresh, local, organic produce. Vegetarians are also catered for.
Activities:
Students will have tasks set out during the week, and weekends will allow time to enjoy swimming, canoeing and other adventure activities. Conservation activities are planned to be fun while making a difference. It’s up to you to make the best of it. These activities are subject to change according the weather and the capturing of leopards or predators needing to be rescued.
Additional adventure activities such as learning how to Surf, Bungi Jumping and Tree Top Adventures not included in the program are available at additional costs, usually between R200 to R1000, depending on the activity.
Overall Monthly Plan
Day 1 Orientation
Day 2 Sight seeing
Day 3 – Day 6: Greater Addo Elephant National Park
Day 6 – Day 11: Baviaanskloof
Day 11 – Day 14: Port Elizabeth
Day 14 – Day 18: Tsitsikama National Park and the Crags
Day 18 – Day 20: Wilderness National Park
Day 20 – Day 24: Port Elizabeth
Day 24: Extension work (interacting with farmers)
For more details and to book your place on the project, please contact Leigh@LandmarkFoundation.org.za.