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For the young at heart that want to experience the
life of a wildlife researcher. . .
The Tuli Wilderness Conservation Project gives
participants the opportunity to closely study 2 of
Africa’s famous ‘Big 5’ species; the majestic
African Elephant and the secretive Leopard. Our
research camp, Mohave Camp, is located in the
wildest of areas in the Tuli Block. It is from here
that you will venture into this harsh land of
extreme beauty. The isolated position and sheer size
of the area has left humans knowing very little
about the wildlife within this wilderness, and this
is where you come in to play a role.
Elephants are the key research and monitoring
species of the Tuli
Wilderness
Conservation Project. The research will involve;
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Developing personalised identification cards for
each individual elephant.
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Monitoring range utilisation of the elephants as
well as habitat use and vegetation damage
assessment. GPS and computer mapping systems are
used for this.
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Recording information about herd dynamics, namely
sex and age ratios.
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Monitoring behaviour of both breeding herds and
male bulls.
In addition, the other main research studies ongoing
at Tuli involve;
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Predator
monitoring - Data collected is used to establish
territory size and interactions between members of
the same and other species.
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General Game Monitoring - Recording of all general
game numbers via a grid co-ordinate system is done
on a systematic basis. General game counts are
mapped and compared to vegetation maps, leopard
track recordings etc. Sex and age ratios are also
noted in order to determine herd structures and
growth rates. Seasonal and other variations are
determined in this manner.
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Weather, bird and vegetation studies
Other activities involve the restoration and
maintenance of the land in order to maximise the
suitability of the area for animal species to
flourish. This work may include;
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Removal of old fence wire to prevent harm to
animals.
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Erosion control of the gullying effects of the
Limpopo River.
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Eradication of alien vegetation species.
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Ongoing habitat rehabilitation initiatives.
The Tuli Wilderness Conservation Project offers participants the opportunity to become
part of a new approach to game management. This
“open” system of Trans Frontier Areas creates as
large an area as possible for game to move freely
and migrate naturally across historically
established national borders.
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