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evoldir · 3 years

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Fwd: Other: SouthAfrica.Volunteer.SmallMammalEvol

Begin forwarded message: > From: [email protected] > Subject: Other: SouthAfrica.Volunteer.SmallMammalEvol > Date: 2 November 2021 at 04:18:49 GMT > To: [email protected] > > > > Volunteers needed January-April 2022 > > Minimum stay 2 months > > Evolution and Socio-Ecology of Small Mammals in the Succulent Karoo of South > Africa > > > > (NOTE: This is an unpaid volunteer position) > > > > Opportunity: This is a great opportunity for anybody who wants to get more > experience in field work related to animal behavior, evolution, > eco-physiology, and ecology before starting an MSc or PhD project. > > Project: We study the evolutionary and ecological reasons as well as > physiological mechanisms of group living, solitary living, and social > flexibility in bush Karoo rats and the striped mouse. The focus will be on > costs and benefits of solitary living in bush Karoo rats, determining its > social organization and social structure. As this species is diurnal and the > habitat is open, direct behavioral observations in the field are possible. > > What kind of people are needed? Applicants must have an interest in working > in the field and with animals. Hard working conditions will await > applicants, as the study species gets up with sunrise (between 5:30 and 6 > AM), and stops its activity with dusk (7 PM). Work during nights might also > be necessary. Work in the field will be done for 5 days a week. Applicants > must be able to manage extreme temperatures (below 0 at night in winter, > sometimes over 40?C during summer days). Applicants must both be prepared to > live for long periods in the loneliness of the field and to be part of a > small social group. There is no internet, no telephone, and no cell-phone > reception at the research station. > > Work of volunteer field assistants: Trapping, marking and radio-tracking of > small mammals; direct behavioral observations in the field. Volunteers are > expected to help with maintenance of the research station (water pump, solar > power, etc.). > > Confirmation letter: Students get a letter of confirmation about their work > and can prepare a report of their own small project to get credit points > from their university for their bachelor or masters studies. > > Costs: Students have to arrange their transport to the field site > themselves. Per month, an amount of Rand 1900 (around 100 Euro) must be paid > for accommodation at the research station. Students must buy their own food > in Springbok. Including extras (going out for dinner; shopping), you should > expect costs of about 500 Euros or 600 US$ per month. Students can get an > invitation letter to apply for a travel grant at their home university / > home country. > > Place: The field site is in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok in the > North-West of South Africa close to Namibia. The vegetation consists of > Succulent Karoo, which has been recognized as one of 25 hotspots of > biodiversity. It is a desert to semi-desert with rain mainly in winter (June > to September). > > Corona situation: Only vaccinated persons are allowed to stay at the > research station. No visitors are allowed. Students are not allowed to go on > leave during their stay. We have Corona measures at the station that vary > with the local situation. Travel to and entry into South Africa is allowed > when you have a negative Corona test. > > When and how long: We are looking for volunteers for the period January to > April 2022. Volunteers must stay for a minimum of 2 months. > > How to apply? Send a short motivation letter stating why and for which > period you are interested and your CV via email to > [email protected]. There is no deadline, but applications are > continuously reviewed. > > > > More information under > > https://ift.tt/36ErPF2 > 18.pdf > > https://ift.tt/2RSww7Y > > > > > > [email protected] > via IFTTT

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release-info · 5 years

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Hadiur Zaman: In the big-sky semi-desert of Namaqualand, Goegap Nature [] https://ift.tt/2T8vIhj

#IFTTT #RELEASE | サイト全体のアクティビティ

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ericsdietert-blog · 5 years

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The spring flowers of the Cape West Coast, Cederberg and Namaqualand in the Northern Cape have a worldwide reputation. This area of South Africa receives little rain throughout the year but after the winter rains from May to July/August, the normally dry landscape becomes a carpet of wild flowers with vibrant bands of gousblomme and vygies, as well as nemesias, lachenalias, babiana and ixias.

You may not feel you need any tips for flower viewing (how hard can looking at flowers be?). But there is quite a lot to consider if you would really like to get the most out of this “super-bloom” experience.

[This article is written by Cedarberg Africa, a specialist tour operator for Southern Africa. Being based in the Cederberg, we know the spring flower area very well and this article is a collection of our tips for flower viewing for the visitor. Enjoy the article!]

The wide variety of wild flowers is largely due to the varied topography – fertile valleys contrast with high mountains, the semi-desert plains of the north contrast with the unique Sandveld region near the coast with its wetter vlei areas.

Certain species are found nowhere else in the world such as the yellow Leucospermum reflexum, the Snow Protea (protea cryophylla), blue Lachanaea filamentosa, yellow sparaxis, pink Cyanella alba and the Clanwilliam Cedar (widdringtonia cedarbergensis).

Click here to visit our Cederberg or Namaqualand pages for tours and accommodation.

Please take special note:

Rainfall varies from year to year. Back in 2016 and 2017 we had one of the worst droughts in decades, with extremely low rainfall in the Cederberg and Namaqualand regions. So the below is based on a ‘normal’ winter rainfall. So we advise that you check flower reports for the areas you would like to visit. Visit Flowers of Namaqualand and the West Coast, Flowerline, or call the West Coast Flowerline 063 724 6204 for regular updates on the spring flowers, flower shows and weather forecasts.

Tip One – Know when the Spring Wild Flowers are (read this if nothing else!)

This is probably the number one thing that visitors misunderstand. Our spring is NOT the same as cooler Cape Town. Our spring starts earlier. I cannot tell you the number of times we get requests for late September when all the flowers have gone!

Our spring starts in mid August. The flower season peaks between early August and late August and it is dependent on the winter rains.

The further north, the earlier the flowers…

As a general rule the wild flowers begin flowering first in the Northern Cape in Namaqualand in late July or early August. They then advance southwards through Nieuwoudtville and the Cederberg region and then appear on the West Coast at the end of August. Thus the West Coast offers the best chance of seeing spring flowers in early September.

So you can see that if you do a tour through the whole area, there will be some areas which are at their peak, some which are just beginning and some which are going over.

Plus there’s an element of luck as it all depends on the amount of rain. Some years are better than others! If there has been a steady flow of gentle cold fronts during the winter, then it is likely to be a good and long-lasting flower season. But one or two violent storms interspersed with lots of dry weather are not so good.

Spring temperatures are also important. If it heats up too quickly then the early visitors have glorious sunshine but the flowers do not last very long.

The Catch 22 is that lots of rain means good flower displays. But if it continues to rain during the spring (August), then it’s not so much fun to view the flowers!

(You can tell that as a tour-operator, I don’t like being at the mercy of the weather gods can’t you!)

The bottom line is to come with an attitude of acceptance. Try to be prepared to explore other attractions of the area if the flowers are not so amazing. For example the Cederberg has some stunning mountain passes and fantastic hiking country to enjoy. There is plenty to do here, year round. View the Bushmen rock art, do a walking trail or visit a Rooibos tea farm. The spring flowers are almost an added bonus.

Tip Two – Book Early

I cannot stress this enough. The ‘season’ is short and so people book months in advance. We run 5 day flower tours and these usually book up a few months in advance. We can assist with ad hoc private tours if you book enough time in advance. But we don’t take last minute bookings because all our preferred accommodation has been booked up. We’ll refer you to the local information offices (see numbers below) who may be able to assist with last minute accommodation enquiries.

Ideally you want to be looking at early to mid August for Namaqualand, early to late August for the Cederberg and late August to early September for the West Coast. The West Coast flowers can continue until mid September in a good year or only to say the 10th Sept in an average year.

So depending on your dates, you should choose your area…

(For example, if you are planning a trip for early September, you will be too late for Namaqualand but fine for the West Coast around Paternoster and Langebaan. Similarly if you are coming in early to mid August then the best displays will be further north, with not much happening yet closer to Cape Town…)

Want to see the flowers?

Tell us when and where, and we'll send you a proposal and price

Ways to tour the flowers

Fundamentally there are four main options

One – Plan a visit using a rental car and a reputable tour operator such as us – Cedarberg Africa – who will be able to advise you where to go, when and where to stay. This gives you the flexibility as you are free to explore some back roads and get out of the car to walk in the flowers as much as you want. Note: We don’t take bookings for less than 4 nights. If you just want a couple of nights, contact the relevant tourism office – see below.

Two – Take an escorted flower tour such as our five day Wild Flower Tour with a small group of like-minded enthusiasts. The benefits are that your guide is both knowledgeable about the flowers and also knows which daily routes are likely to prove most rewarding in terms of flower-viewing. Note: We are booked out for 2019 but we are taking bookings for 2020.

Three – If you don’t have so much time, you can also do a private day tour from Cape Town to the southern West Coast. This works well later in the spring when the wild flowers of the West Coast are in bloom (late August and early September.) But it is too far to get north to Namaqualand or the Cedarberg in one day. The only caveat is that these private tours tend to be expensive and the Cape Town guides are not so knowledgeable. (All the specialist guides are booked up doing longer tours!)

Four – If you have just 2-3 nights, you can drive (or we can book a private transfer for you) to one of the lodges in the Cederberg. Good examples would be Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge or Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve, or Oudrif Lodge. From here, you can do a day visit to Nieuwoudtville to see their flowers as well. This is a good option is booking relatively late when accommodation in Nieuwoudtville is booked up – see later.

Tip 3 – Flower Viewing

As the flowers face the sun, a good general principle is to travel north relatively quickly and then do most of your flower-viewing in a southerly direction so that the flowers are always facing you.

Similarly, as the displays are noticeably better if you travel with the sun behind you, you should plan your daily circular route accordingly. So try to travel in a westerly direction in the morning, southerly during the day. And then turn east in the afternoon.

The flowers are at their best between 10:30-11am and 4.00pm in the afternoon. So there is no need to rush out straight after breakfast, (unless you have some travelling to do before you get to the flower region).

The flowers will not come out in heavily overcast or rainy weather. So you should plan to visit other sights on such days.

Get out of your car and walk amongst the flowers – you will appreciate them so much more!

Pick up a printed flower guide to add to your enjoyment. These are available for not much money from various tourism offices.

Use the local tourism offices in each area to find out which local routes have the best flower displays

Don’t pick the flowers!

Namaqualand

We suggest that you head north to Springbok and then meander southwards at a more leisurely pace so that the spring flowers are always facing you. There are various side roads which are often rewarding for flowers. Visit the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok and Skilpad Wildflower Reserve at Kamieskroon.

(However if you are travelling in September, dont plan much time here as usually the best displays are over.)

Niewoudtville

Try to include Niewoudtville on any flower tour. Many flowers, bulbs and orchid species that are not found anywhere else in South Africa can be seen here. The other charming aspect of Nieuwoudtville is the number of local farms which open their gates to visitors (usually for a small fee). They allow you to drive all over the farm viewing the flowers – perfect for picnics. Some even also have little curio shops and’coffee shops during the flower season.

The flower season in Nieuwoudtville also tends to be longer than elsewhere.

But: Accommodation is always an issue in Nieuwoudtville. Tourism is virtually non-existent for most of the year so it has very few guesthouses. These get booked up months (even a year) in advance. But you can plan a scenic day tour from Clanwilliam which is larger and more developed for year-round tourism.

Clanwilliam and the Cedarberg

From Nieuwoudtville you travel down the dramatic, if slightly challenging, Botterkloof pass and into the Cedarberg. This is not recommended in bad weather! At the foothills of the Cedarberg lies the picturesque town of Clanwilliam and a number of rewarding flower routes. These include the splendid Bieudouw valley. Which can be the highlight of any flower tour in a good year, as well as the Boskloof valley or Nardouwsberg.

A visit to the Ramskop Wild Flower Garden is an absolute must! Ramskop probably has one of the best displays of wild flowers in the country. And it looks especially fine during the flower season and beyond. There’s a new medical plant section in the garden.

If you pick your dates right, you can also visit the Clanwilliam Flower Show held at the end of August. The show usually starts the Friday before the final weekend in August. Every year about 400 species from 32 families are exhibited in their typical setting at the Clanwilliam Flower Show. Here the flowers botanical names, as well as their tongue-twisting local names, are displayed.

TIP: Accommodation in Nieuwoudtville often gets booked months in advance. But you can stay in the Clanwilliam area for 3 nights and use it as a base. Good options are Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge, just outside town.

Cederberg Mountains

The high Cederberg Mountains don’t usually have many spring flowers. (As the real displays are in the drier valleys). But higher up in the Cedarberg mountains, the protea flowers and other fynbos species are seen later on in the spring (September to October) with their spectacular large bulbous flowers.

The Sandveld & the West Coast

From the Cederberg you can head west to the ocean through an area known as the Sandveld. Continue south along the West Coast Road (R27) via the picturesque fishing village of Paternoster with its Columbine Nature Reserve. Then head along to the West Coast National Park. Along this coastal strip, you find the strandveld of salvias and showy daisies.

Within the West Coast National Park lies the Postberg Nature Reserve which is open during August and September. This reserve boasts the greatest variety of birds, game and Sandveld flowers in the Western Cape. This special section of the park is only open during August to October. We recommend visiting during the Darling Flower show held in mid-September.

The Duckitt Orchid Show runs concurrently with the flower show on a local orchid farm. You can also visit the Tienie Versveld Reserve near Darling which hosts babianas, lachenalias and chincherinchees .

As well as wild flowers, the West Coast offers stunning seafood restaurants, great birding, the Fossil park and the impressive Khwa Ttu rock san cultural centre. So there’s plenty to do here.

Planning a trip to see the flowers?

Tell us what you want to do, and we'll send you a proposal and price

The post Tips for Flower Viewing in Namaqualand, the Cederberg & West Coast appeared first on Cedarberg-Travel.com.

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rockjumperbirdingtours · 7 years

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Our South Africa – Cape Wildflowers, Birding & Big Game tour takes in the best that western South Africa has to offer, with impressive avian and mammal highlights possible throughout. While enjoying the wildlife, we will have the near-mythical backdrop of the Cape Wildflowers to keep us in a constant state of awe.

Some of the highlight locations we visit include:

Augrabies Falls – where the Orange River (South Africa’s biggest) squeezes through the granite boulders and into a spectacular gorge, home to Verreaux’s Eagles and other species that come in from the surrounding desert.

Ramskop, Clanwilliam – the west coast of South Africa, particularly the Namaqualand area, is famous for its wildflower displays in August and September where a number of daisy species are dominant in mass displays.

Bettys Bay – picturesquely situated between a range of Cape mountains and the sea, the area is home to indigenous vegetation known as Fynbos (one of the most species-rich floras in the world). The Erica patersonii is just one of hundreds of Erica (Heath) species known to the Fynbos.

West Coast National Park – an array of daisy species exploding with colour make up the scenic display of this park. Our admiration of the scenery may even lead to a few curious Ostrich approaching to get a close-up of the spectators.

Kirstenbosch – situated on the southern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is one of the world’s premier botanical gardens, showcasing and preserving the rich, indigenous flora of South Africa. Seen below, the distinctive slopes of Devils Peak form a backdrop to the Pin Cushion Protea – Leucospermum cordifolium.

Nieuwoudtville – the west coast offers far more than just colourful daisy displays, bulbous plants make a major contribution to the scenery. Nieuwoudtville is the self-proclaimed Bulb Capital of the World, and we will spend several days in this astonishing area.

Goegap Nature Reserve – with its rugged scenery and interesting flowers, this reserve is the main attraction of our time in the town of Springbok.

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4x4community · 5 years

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Goegap booking?

http://dlvr.it/RQPtPN

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flowersdottn · 6 years

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Wild Flowers Inspiration : The wildflowers of Goegap | Flickr – Photo Sharing! https://ift.tt/2Ml48HW

#flowers Flowers.tn – Leading Flowers Magazine #Daily Beautiful flowers for all occasions

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evoldir · 5 years

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Fwd: Other: SouthAfrica.Volunteer.StripedMouseProject

Begin forwarded message: > From: [email protected] > Subject: Other: SouthAfrica.Volunteer.StripedMouseProject > Date: 6 January 2020 at 06:14:12 GMT > To: [email protected] > > > Volunteers needed throughout 2020 > > Minimum stay 2 months > > Evolution and Socio-Ecology of Small Mammals in the Succulent Karoo of > South Africa > > (NOTE: This is an unpaid volunteer position. We currently also advertise > 2 paid positions as field managers for 1.5 to 3 years, and 1 postdoc > position for 2 years. See other advertisements or ask via email > [email protected]) > > Opportunity: This is a great opportunity for anybody who wants to get > more experience in field work related to animal behavior, evolution, > eco-physiology, and ecology before starting an MSc or PhD project. > > Project: We study the evolutionary and ecological reasons as well as > physiological mechanisms of group living, solitary living, and social > flexibility in the striped mouse and the bush Karoo rat. One focus > is on the adaptation to droughts, combining physiological, behavioral, > ecological and evolutionary research. As these species are diurnal and the > habitat is open, direct behavioral observations in the field are possible. > > What kind of people are needed? Applicants must have an interest in > working in the field and with animals. Hard working conditions will > await applicants, as the study species gets up with sunrise (between 5:30 > and 7 AM), and stops its activity with dusk (7 PM). Work during nights > might also be necessary. Work in the field will be done for 5 days a > week. Applicants must be able to manage extreme temperatures (below 0 > at night in winter, sometimes over 40°C during summer days). Applicants > must both be prepared to live for long periods in the loneliness of the > field and to be part of a small social group. > > Work of volunteer field assistants: Trapping, marking and radio-tracking > of small mammals; direct behavioral observations in the field. Volunteers > will also see how blood samples are collected for physiological > measurements and possibly (depending on the month) how we measure > metabolic rate. Volunteers are expected to help with maintenance of the > research station (water pump, solar power, etc.). > > Confirmation letter: Students get a letter of confirmation about their > work and can prepare a report of their own small project to get credit > points from their university for their bachelor or masters studies. > > Costs: Students have to arrange their transport to the field site > themselves. Per month, an amount of Rand 1750 (around 110 Euro) must be > paid for accommodation at the research station. Students must buy their > own food in Springbok. Including extras (going out for dinner; shopping), > you should expect costs of about 500 Euros or 600 US$ per month. > > German students can apply for a grant from the Deutsche Akademischer > Auslandsdienst (DAAD, www.daad.de). Here, commonly travel grants of 300 > Euro are given to students. Students from other countries are encouraged > to seek funding from their home institutions / home country. Students > get an invitation letter which they can use to apply for funding in > their home country. > > Place: The field site is in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok in > the North-West of South Africa close to Namibia. The vegetation consists > of Succulent Karoo, which has been recognized as one of 25 hotspots of > biodiversity. It is a desert to semi-desert with rain mainly in winter > (June to September). > > When and how long: We are looking for volunteers throughout 2020, though > especially for the period January to July. > > How to apply? Send a short motivation letter stating why and > for which period you are interested and your CV via email to > [email protected]. > > More information under > > https://ift.tt/36ErPF2 > 18.pdf > > https://ift.tt/2RSww7Y > > Carsten Schradin > via IFTTT

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evoldir · 5 years

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Fwd: Other: SouthAfrica.Volunteers.StripedMouseProject

Begin forwarded message: > From: [email protected] > Subject: Other: SouthAfrica.Volunteers.StripedMouseProject > Date: 3 November 2019 at 06:33:04 CET > To: [email protected] > > > Volunteers needed from Dec 2019 / January 2020 onwards > > Minimum stay 2 months > > Evolution and Socio-Ecology of small Mammals in the Succulent Karoo of > South Africa > > Opportunity: This is a great opportunity for anybody who wants to get > more experience in field work related to animal behavior, evolution, > eco-physiology, and ecology before starting an MSc or PhD project. > > Project: We study the evolutionary and ecological reasons as well as > physiological mechanisms of group living, solitary living, and social > flexibility in the striped mouse and the bush Karoo rat. One focus > is on the adaptation to droughts, combining physiological, behavioral, > ecological and evolutionary research. As these species are diurnal and the > habitat is open, direct behavioral observations in the field are possible. > > What kind of people are needed? Applicants must have an interest in > working in the field and with animals. Hard working conditions will > await applicants, as the study species gets up with sunrise (between 5 > and 6 AM), and stops its activity with dusk (7 PM). Work during nights > might also be necessary. Work in the field will be done for 5 days a > week. Applicants must be able to manage extreme temperatures (below 0 > at night in winter, sometimes over 40°C during summer days). Applicants > must both be prepared to live for long periods in the loneliness of the > field and to be part of a small social group. > > Work of volunteer field assistants: Trapping, marking and radio-tracking > of small mammals; direct behavioral observations in the field. Volunteers > will also see how blood samples are collected for physiological > measurements and how we measure metabolic rate. Volunteers are expected > to help with maintenance of the research station (water pump, solar > power, etc.). > > Confirmation letter: Students get a letter of confirmation about their > work and can prepare a report of their own small project to get credit > points from their university for their bachelor or masters studies. > > Costs: Students have to arrange their transport to the field site > themselves. Per month, an amount of Rand 1750 (around 110 Euro) must be > paid for accommodation at the research station. Students must buy their > own food in Springbok. Including extras (going out for dinner; shopping), > you should expect costs of about 500 Euros or 600 US$ per month. > > German students can apply for a grant from the Deutsche Akademischer > Auslandsdienst (DAAD, www.daad.de). Here, commonly travel grants of 300 > Euro are given to students. Students from other countries are encouraged > to seek funding from their home institutions / home country. Students > get an invitation letter which they can use to apply for funding in > their home country. > > Place: The field site is in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok > in the North-West of South Africa. The vegetation consists of Succulent > Karoo, which has been recognized as one of 25 hotspots of biodiversity. It > is a desert to semi-desert with rain mainly in winter (June to September). > > When and how long: We are looking for volunteers to start in December > 2019 as well as beginning of 2020. Volunteers are expected to stay for > a minimum of 2-3 months, though longer periods are preferred. > > How to apply? Send a short motivation letter stating why and > for which period you are interested and your CV via email to > [email protected]. > > More information under > > https://ift.tt/2KZwISj > > https://ift.tt/2RSww7Y > > > > Dr. Carsten Schradin > > Director of the Succulent Karoo Research Station (South African non-profit > organization), Goegap Nature Reserve, PO Box 541, 8240 Springbok, > South Africa > > https://ift.tt/2KUdT2L > > Description: Logo_June 2014 > > > Director Succulent Karoo Research Station > via IFTTT

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evoldir · 5 years

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Fwd: Job: SouthAfrica.ResAssist.KarooRat

Begin forwarded message: > From: [email protected] > Subject: Job: SouthAfrica.ResAssist.KarooRat > Date: 11 August 2019 at 15:32:51 GMT+10 > To: [email protected] > > > Paid Research Assistant Position (1.5 years) > > What we are looking for: An extremely motivated and independent biology > student to join the striped mouse project as research assistant until at > least December 2020 to run our field site on bush Karoo rats. Start time > will be as soon as possible but latest beginning of 2020. Research > assistants get free accommodation at the station, and R3500 to R4750 /month > to cover their daily costs. Travel costs will be refunded by a maximum of > 100 Euro /month based on the time spent at the research station. > > The job: You will run our monitoring of a bush Karoo rat population which > overlaps with our striped mouse field site where we have been working for 19 > years ( www.stripedmouse.com). You will work > together with the research and the station managers of the Succulent Karoo > Research Station (SKRS), but run the bush Karoo rat field site independently > after being trained in all techniques. Tasks will include trapping and > observing of bush Karoo rats to study their social system. You will also do > some plant monitoring. One main task will be to use mini GPS on bush Karoo > rats to determine their social system, daily range sizes and overlap., for > which you have to analyse the data. If you wish you can use these data to > write a scientific publication on which you become co- or first author, > depending on your contribution. In addition, it is expected that you will > assist the managers at SKRS with maintenance and possible small repairs. > > Desired skills from student > > Ability to work hard and independently. Good ability to handle small > mammals; the research assistant must be able to put the mini GPS on by > himself / herself. Good English skills. Knowledge in any of these fields > would be an advantage: animal behaviour, ecology, experimental design and > statistical analysis, of GIS software such as QGIS and Google Earth. > Handyman skills would be an additional plus for work at SKRS. > > Skills student will learn > > Several techniques of field work (trapping, marking and radio-tracking of > small mammals), collection of behavioural data, working with GIS, research > management skills (project and time management). This is an ideal position > for somebody who wants to continue with a PhD in animal behaviour > afterwards. > > Time period and place > > Preferred start is November 2019, but a later start can be negotiated. > Minimum stay is until end of 2020, but a period of up to three years is > possible. > > Compensations and cost > > The research assistant will receive R3500 / month for cost of living and > free accommodation, which is sufficient to maintain a good standard of > living at SKRS. After the initial training period of 3 months. this will > rise to R4500/month, with a possible increase of R250/month after every 6 > months, depending on performance. The student needs to cover medical aid > (approx. Euro 150/ year for Europeans) and visa fees, but can be refunded > for this later. For each month present at the research station, 100 Euro > will be refunded for travel costs and any other costs (visa, medical aid > etc). > > Details of where the project will be carried out > > Succulent Karoo Research Station (SKRS) in Goegap Nature Reserve, near > Springbok in the Northern Cape of South Africa: > > https://ift.tt/2ZS8oFv. An international team of students, > including a research and a station manager, are present at the station. > > Trial period > > An evaluation will take place after 2.5 and after 5.5 months to evaluate > whether the student is coping well and enjoying the stay at the field > station. > > How to apply > > Send a motivation letter (1-2 pages stating why you are the perfect > candidate), list of a minimum of 2 referees, and your CV to: Dr. C. > Schradin, director Succulent Karoo Research Station, > [email protected]. > > Deadline: There is no official deadline but we will continue searching until > a suitable applicant is found. First interviews are planned for the second > halve of September, so for full consideration send you application before > the 9th September. > > > > Dr. Carsten Schradin > > Director of the Succulent Karoo Research Station (South African non-profit > organization), Goegap Nature Reserve, PO Box 541, 8240 Springbok, South > Africa > > https://ift.tt/2KUdT2L > > Description: Description: Logo_June 2014 > > > Director Succulent Karoo Research Station > via IFTTT

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evoldir · 5 years

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Fwd: Other: SouthAfrica.Volunteers.smallMammals

Begin forwarded message: > From: [email protected] > Subject: Other: SouthAfrica.Volunteers.smallMammals > Date: 2 July 2019 at 18:02:32 GMT+10 > To: [email protected] > > > > > > Volunteers needed from October 2019 onwards > > Minimum stay 2 months > > Evolution and Socio-Ecology of small Mammals in the Succulent Karoo of South > Africa > > > > Opportunity: This is a great opportunity for anybody who wants to get more > experience in field work related to animal behavior, evolution, > eco-physiology, and ecology before starting an MSc or PhD project. > > Project: We study the evolutionary and ecological reasons as well as > physiological mechanisms of group living, solitary living, and social > flexibility in the striped mouse and the bush Karoo rat. One focus is on the > adaptation to droughts, combining physiological, behavioral, ecological and > evolutionary research. As these species are diurnal and the habitat is open, > direct behavioral observations in the field are possible. > > What kind of people are needed? Applicants must have an interest in working > in the field and with animals. Hard working conditions will await > applicants, as the study species gets up with sunrise (between 5 and 6 AM), > and stops its activity with dusk (7 PM). Work during nights might also be > necessary. Work in the field will be done for 5 days a week. Applicants must > be able to manage extreme temperatures (below 0 at night in winter, > sometimes over 40°C during summer days). Applicants must both be prepared to > live for long periods in the loneliness of the field and to be part of a > small social group. > > Work of volunteer field assistants: Trapping, marking and radio-tracking of > small mammals; direct behavioral observations in the field. Volunteers will > also see how blood samples are collected for physiological measurements and > how we measure metabolic rate. Volunteers are expected to help with > maintenance of the research station (water pump, solar power, etc.). > > Confirmation letter: Students get a letter of confirmation about their work > and can prepare a report of their own small project to get credit points > from their university for their bachelor or masters studies. > > Costs: Students have to arrange their transport to the field site > themselves. Per month, an amount of Rand 1750 (around 110 Euro) must be paid > for accommodation at the research station. Students must buy their own food > in Springbok. Including extras (going out for dinner; shopping), you should > expect costs of about 500 Euros or 600 US$ per month. > > German students can apply for a grant from the Deutsche Akademischer > Auslandsdienst (DAAD, www.daad.de). Here, commonly travel grants of 300 Euro > are given to students. Students from other countries are encouraged to seek > funding from their home institutions / home country. Students get an > invitation letter which they can use to apply for funding in their home > country. > > Place: The field site is in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok in the > North-West of South Africa. The vegetation consists of Succulent Karoo, > which has been recognized as one of 25 hotspots of biodiversity. It is a > desert to semi-desert with rain mainly in winter (June to September). > > When and how long: We are looking for volunteers to start in October 2019 as > well as beginning of 2020. Volunteers are expected to stay for a minimum of > 2-3 months, though longer periods are preferred. > > How to apply? Send a short motivation letter stating why and for which > period you are interested and your CV via email to > [email protected]. > > > > More information under > > https://ift.tt/2KZwISj > > https://ift.tt/2RSww7Y > > > > > Dr. Carsten Schradin > > Director of the Succulent Karoo Research Station (South African non-profit > organization), Goegap Nature Reserve, PO Box 541, 8240 Springbok, South > Africa > > https://ift.tt/2KUdT2L > > > > Director Succulent Karoo Research station > via IFTTT

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evoldir · 5 years

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Fwd: Other: SouthAfrica.Volunteers.smallMammals

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evoldir · 6 years

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Other: SouthAfrica.VolunteerFieldAssist.StripedMouse

Volunteers needed for the period October 2018 to May 2019 Evolution and Socio-Ecology of small Mammals in the Succulent Karoo of South Africa Opportunity: This is a great opportunity for anybody who wants to get more experience in field work related to animal behavior, evolution, eco-physiology, and ecology before starting an MSc or PhD project. Project: We study the evolutionary and ecological reasons as well as physiological mechanisms of group living, paternal care, communal nesting and social flexibility in the striped mouse. One focus is on the adaptation to droughts, combining physiological, behavioral, ecological and evolutionary research. As this species is diurnal and the habitat is open, direct behavioral observations in the field are possible. What kind of people are needed? Applicants must have an interest in working in the field and with animals. Hard working conditions will await applicants, as the study species gets up with sunrise (between 5 and 6 AM), and stops its activity with dusk (7 PM). Work during nights might also be necessary. Work in the field will be done for 5 days a week. Applicants must be able to manage extreme temperatures (below 0 at night in winter, sometimes over 40°C during summer days). Applicants must both be prepared to live for long periods in the loneliness of the field and to be part of a small social group. Work of volunteer field assistants: Trapping, marking and radio-tracking of striped mice; direct behavioral observations in the field. Volunteers will also see how blood samples are collected for physiological measurements. Volunteers are expected to help with maintenance of the research station (water pump, solar power, etc.). Confirmation letter: Students get a letter of confirmation about their work and can prepare a report of their own small project to get credit points from their university for their bachelor or masters studies. Costs: Students have to arrange their transport to the field site themselves. Per month, an amount of Rand 1650 (around 110 Euro) must be paid for accommodation at the research station. Students must buy their own food in Springbok. Including extras (going out for dinner; shopping), you should expect costs of about 450 Euros or 600 US$ per month. German students can apply for a grant from the Deutsche Akademischer Auslandsdienst (DAAD, http://bit.ly/2PzMFO4 ). Here, commonly travel grants of 300 Euro are given to students. Students from other countries are encouraged to seek funding from their home institutions / home country. Students get an invitation letter which they can use to apply for funding in their home country. Place: The field site is in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok in the North-West of South Africa. The vegetation consists of Succulent Karoo, which has been recognized as one of 25 hotspots of biodiversity. It is a desert to semi-desert with rain mainly in winter (June to September). When and how long: We are looking for volunteers to start in October 2018 as well as beginning of 2019. Volunteers are expected to stay for a minimum of 2-3 months, though longer periods are preferred. How to apply? Send a short motivation letter stating why and for which period you are interested and your CV via email to [email protected]. More information under http://bit.ly/157Nija Dr. Carsten Schradin Director of the Succulent Karoo Research Station (South African non-profit organization), Goegap Nature Reserve, PO Box 541, 8240 Springbok, South Africa http://bit.ly/157Nizq Description: Description: Description: Logo_June 2014 Director Succulent Karoo Research Station via Gmail

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evoldir · 7 years

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Other: SouthAfrica.StripedMouse.ResAssistResManager

First call : Position as research assistant (March - October 2018) and as research manager (November 2018-November 2019 at the striped mouse project in South Africa, We are looking for an extremely motivated and independent biology student with a master's degree to join the striped mouse project at least until November 2019 and for a maximum of 3 years, first as research assistant (March-October 2018) and afterwards as research manager. This position is suitable for somebody who would like to gain experience in field work and scientific management. Assistants / managers get free accommodation at the station and a compensation to cover their daily costs. Travel costs can be refunded by up to an additional R 12 000 / year. As such, the position compensates for all arising costs but does not represent a real employment. As research assistant, you will help the postdoc Pauline Vuarin during her studies on the extinction risk of different sub-populations in Goegap. As research manager you will work closely together with the station manager and both managers will share responsibilities. However, each will have specific main duties, but should also be able to deal with all other duties (for example when the other manager is on leave, or when a new manager has to be trained). Our current research manager will leave the project in October 2018. The new research manager will be instructed by the present research manager. Skills needed: Good experience in field work and must good knowledge of behavioural ecology or a similar field of research. Experiences in working with small mammals, radio-tracking, blood sampling, living at a remote location are of advantage. Great opportunity: This is a great opportunity to spend 1.5-3 years in Africa, acquiring important skills in field biology and project management, while improving your CV. These skills will become valuable whether you later continue with a PhD or other jobs. It will be very hard and demanding, but also a once in a life time experience! You must be hard-working, highly motivated, able to work independently, good in communicating with people, able to supervise others, and not afraid of snakes. You should love to live at a remote place in nature, without regular internet and cell-phone reception. Most importantly, you are fascinated by nature and science! Job description: Five working days a week (Mo, Tue, Thu, Fr, Sat), with Wednesday being used for a shopping trip to town (not counted as working day) and Sundays being free. Included are four weeks of holiday for 12 months, which has to be taken outside the main breeding season (August to November) during periods when other students are present at the research station. Primary duties research manager / secondary duties station manager . Data: o Weekly data entry o Weekly data check o Monthly data backup o Monthly data report o Training and supervision of field assistants o Training of students and postdocs o Support for students and postdocs o Management of transmitters o Management of field and laboratory supplies Primary duties station manager / secondary duties research manager . Technical support research station: o Water system incl. sewage system o Solar system o Gas bottles replacement o House and furniture o Running of the respirometry laboratory o Management of the captive colony o Management of the research station car o Management of bank account and cash box o Management of research station supplies Compensation: . Free accommodation. * A monthly compensation of R 3 500, which is sufficient to pay all costs of living. This compensation will rise to R4 700 per month in November 2018, when the research assistant takes over the research manager position. * For travel costs, R12 000 per year can be refunded, but proof (receipts) must be presented for this. This refund is only payable after October 2019 and will not be paid if the person leaves earlier than agreed. * You will become an honorary researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand in the group of Prof. N. Pillay. * Scientific co-authorship will be possible if the manager contributes to the success of projects by not only collecting the majority of data, but also by data analysis and writing of the manuscript. Responsibilities: . The manager has to cover the costs to get to the station, including travel costs and visa fees. For this, a refund can be paid (see above). * The manager needs to arrange for a health insurance covering him / her during the stay. A copy must be sent to C. Schradin before travelling to the stations. Place and project: Succulent Karoo Research Station (SKRS) in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok in the Northern Cape of South Africa. The research projects are on the socio-ecology of small mammals, studying ecological and physiological reasons of social behaviour, behavioural flexibility, and physiological adaptation. Period: The new manager is expected to start in March 2018 and to stay at least until the end of November 2019, the end of the breeding season 2019. The agreement might be extended for a total period of up to 3 years. How to apply? Please send a CV, a letter of motivation and the names and contact information of at least two scientists available for reference. The letter of motivation should state why you think you are the perfect candidate for this, and when you could start. Application deadline: 21st of January. Skype interviews are scheduled for end of January. Further information under www.stripedmouse.com Contact: [email protected] Dr. Carsten Schradin, Director of the Succulent Karoo Research Station, a registered South African non-profit organization supporting research in organismic biology. Dr. Carsten Schradin Director of the Succulent Karoo Research Station (South African non-profit organization), Goegap Nature Reserve, PO Box 541, 8240 Springbok, South Africa http://bit.ly/157Nizq Director Succulent Karoo Research station via Gmail

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evoldir · 7 years

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Other: SouthAfrica.Volunteers.EvolutionSmallMammals

Volunteers needed for the period Oct /Nov 2017 to April 2017 Evolution and Socio-Ecology of small Mammals in the Succulent Karoo of South Africa Opportunity: This is a great opportunity for anybody who wants to get more experience in field work related to animal behavior, evolution, eco-physiology, and ecology before starting an MSc or PhD project. Project: We study the evolutionary and ecological reasons as well as physiological mechanisms of group living, paternal care, communal nesting and social flexibility in the striped mouse. One focus is on the adaptation to droughts, combining physiological, behavioral, ecological and evolutionary research. As this species is diurnal and the habitat is open, direct behavioral observations in the field are possible. What kind of people are needed? Applicants must have an interest in working in the field and with animals. Hard working conditions will await applicants, as the study species gets up with sunrise (between 5 and 6 AM), and stops its activity with dusk (7 PM). Work during nights might also be necessary. Work in the field will be done for 5 days a week. Applicants must be able to manage extreme temperatures (below 0 at night in winter, sometimes over 40C during summer days). Applicants must both be prepared to live for long periods in the loneliness of the field and to be part of a small social group. Work of volunteer field assistants: Trapping, marking and radio-tracking of striped mice; direct behavioral observations in the field. Volunteers will also see how blood samples are collected for physiological measurements. Volunteers are expected to help with maintenance of the research station (water pump, solar power, etc.). Confirmation letter: Students get a letter of confirmation about their work and can prepare a report of their own small project to get credit points from their university for their bachelor or masters studies. Costs: Students have to arrange their transport to the field site themselves. Per month, an amount of Rand 1600 (around 110 Euro) must be paid for accommodation at the research station. Students must buy their own food etc in Springbok. Including extras (going out for dinner; shopping), you should expect costs of about 450 Euros or 600 US$ per month. Students get an invitation letter which they can use to apply for funding in their home country. Place: The field site is in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok in the North-West of South Africa. The vegetation consists of Succulent Karoo, which has been recognized as one of 25 hotspots of biodiversity. It is a desert to semi-desert with rain mainly in winter (June to September). When and how long: We are looking for volunteers to start in Oct / Nov 2017 as well as beginning of 2018. Volunteers are expected to stay for a minimum of 2-3 months, though longer periods are preferred. How to apply? Send a short motivation letter stating why and for which period you are interested and your CV via email to [email protected]. Dr. Carsten Schradin, DR2, http://bit.ly/19o1HJN Video presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZmAXySr-EM Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Dpartement d'Ecologie Physiologie et Ethologie, 23, rue Becquerel, UMR 7178 CNRS UdS, 67087 Strasbourg cedex 2, France Tel: +33 (0)3 88 10 69 19 Titularprofessor, University of Zurich, Switzerland, http://bit.ly/1VKNzr4 Honorary Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Director of the Succulent Karoo Research Station http://bit.ly/157Nizq Carsten Schradin via Gmail

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