Kalahari Meerkat Project: UK volunteers

Contact: Sarah Hodge, sjh94@cam.ac.uk

Photo: Peter Brotherton

 

These notes are not meant as a comprehensive guide but should provide volunteers with an idea of the nature of the work and the conditions.  If you are taken on, keep them for reference purposes.

 

Aims of project

 

The aim of the project is to investigate the evolutionary causes and ecological consequences of cooperative breeding.  Meerkats show four main forms of cooperation: baby-sitting, cooperative lactating, feeding young and guarding.  At the moment, much of the work involves measuring who does how much of what, as well as estimating the consequences both for helpers and for the rest of the group.  To do this, we need to have groups well habituated to observers and we spend a considerable amount of time maintaining this. In addition, manipulative experiments are conducted in order to further investigate the questions posed above. 

 

Study Area

 

The Kuruman River Reserve (KRR)

 

The project currently operates at the Kuruman River Reserve (KRR), a 3500 hectare area situated 17 km south of the South-Africa Botswana border and 30km west of the small settlement of Van Zylsrus (26o58’S, 21o49’E) in the Northern Cape, South Africa (see map). There are currently 12 habituated meerkat study groups in the population; the majority of the group ranges are found within the reserve, while some groups are located on farmland close by. The study site consists of sparsely vegetated dune country on either side of the (dry) Kuruman river, and in addition to meerkats there is a diverse community of birds, smaller mammals, reptiles and insects.


 

South Africa

Immigration permits

 

Volunteers must apply for a one-year visa, which allows them to engage in research activities in South Africa. Please contact Sarah Hodge at sjh94@cam.ac.uk for up-to-date information on how to apply. Further information can be found at the South African High Commission website (www.southafricahouse.com/Consulate.htm).

 

Travel insurance

 

It is essential that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for your entire stay in South Africa.  The cost is variable and depends on the cover, but you can expect to spend £250-£300 for a year's basic cover.  It is important to know that most of these schemes work on refunding you what you spent on doctors' bills on your return to the UK, therefore it is important to have some access to money to cover your bills while you are here.  It is also useful to inquire if your travel insurance covers costs incurred due to not getting visas in time or being turned back from the country you have flown to. All volunteers are covered by the project for emergency evacuation by helicopter but this does not include hospital bills, repatriation or any other expenses. 

 

Photo: Peter Brotherton

 

Health

 

Rabies: vaccination is essential before coming out to the project.  You are able to get this from your local GP or BA Travel Clinic - you will have to explain that you will be doing work involving handling animals that could be rabies carriers.  The vaccination comes in a course, so it is essential that you organise this in good time; at least six weeks before travelling.  The rabies vaccine is quite expensive, but it may be possible to get it more cheaply by contacting the Virus Reference Division of the Public Health Laboratory (0208 200 4400). They will provide the vaccine for free, and send it through to your GP to administer for a small admin fee. Consult your doctor concerning other vaccinations that are required.

 

Malaria:  this is not a problem in the southern Kalahari, except after several consecutive wet years, when there is a chance of catching it.  However, if you are planning to travel around elsewhere in southern Africa (northern Kwazulu/Natal and the north-eastern third of South Africa in general, Botswana, Zimbabwe) it is worthwhile having malaria tablets, especially since you should start taking them a week to two weeks before entering a malarial area.

 

Tuberculosis:  since some animals have been identified as carrying the human form of TB, it is essential that all volunteers should check that they have had the anti-tuberculosis vaccination (BCG).

 

Tick fever: vaccination optional, tick fever is a possibility but very unlikely

 

Water: the tap water is safe to drink.

 

Potential dangers

 

Driving: Project vehicles are for work use only and may not be used for other purposes.  To minimize risk of accidents on potentially dangerous gravel roads, long-term members of the project or experienced volunteers are responsible for driving on the roads and volunteers usually drive only on the ranch tracks.  Only those with a valid driving licence may drive project vehicles on the ranch and only those with a valid International licence who are also on Martin Haupt’s insurance list may drive on the roads.  (For this purpose, volunteers should bring at least one spare passport sized photograph).  Seat belts must be worn at all times. Speed limits on the ranch are 30km/hr and on gravel roads are 90km/hr.

 

Snakebite:  snakes are not uncommon and some (especially Cape cobras) are lethal.  Do not put your hands into holes, etc.; avoid sleeping on the ground at all times; do not handle or approach snakes closely.  If bitten, minimise excitement and keep warm.  In the event of someone else being bitten, keep them calm, and make arrangements to get them to hospital directly.  If the snake has been killed, take it with you to the hospital, but do not attempt to catch it if it is alive. A description of the snake’s size and appearance would be useful to medical staff.

 

Scorpions and spiders: scorpions are common; some such as Parabuthids are very dangerous (small pincers, fat tail). Brown widow spiders are also common on the reserve and can bite. Apply the same rules as if bitten by a snake if stung by a scorpion or spider.

 
 

Photo: Peter Brotherton

What to bring

 

Essential:

 

•           binoculars - these are essential as, although the project does have some spares,             each volunteer is expected to bring their own

 

•           spare pair of spectacles (if you wear them)

 

•           sun glasses, prescription lenses if needed to drive/ ID wildlife at a distance

 

•           medication (remember if you bring any prescription medicine, bring your            prescription for customs purposes as well as for re-ordering in South Africa)

 

•           high-factor sun block

 

•           hats; one for very hot weather and one for winter

 

•           cameras:  the best film is 100 or 50 ASA film, not 'process included' if you want to see photos before getting home.  Fuji 100 is good. Digital cameras/and or video cameras are also good for instant results.

 

•           sandals

 

•           closed shoes/ boots that will protect against thorns

 

•           cold weather clothes (including hat and gloves)

 

•           four-season sleeping bag (the most useful are those that zip down the whole       side for use in warm weather)

 

•           water bottle - the best are insulated (1.5 - 2 litre) ones

 

•           mosquito net (essential if you are going to travel to malarial areas)

 

•           credit card:  if you can organize a credit card (e.g. Access, Visa, Mastercard), it            is very useful to cover unforeseen expenses, eg. doctor's fees.  If you are not   eligible, you can often be nominated to be on your parents' cards.

 

•           International Driver's Licence:  this is essential, as the University's insurance will not cover people driving the car without this.  You can get your International Driver's Licence at selected Post Office branch offices: complete an application form and take it to the Post Office counter together with a valid full UK driving licence, a recent passport type photograph signed on the back and some other acceptable signed proof of identity e.g. passport.  The charge is currently £5.00 - to find out which Post Office in your area offers this service call 0845 7223344. You can also download an application form from the RAC’s website.

 

Optional:

 

•           books: always welcome though there is a growing project library.

 

•           Walkman/CD player. (There are basic hi-fi’s/ CD players with speakers at the farmhouse in communal areas, so bring along some of your favourite CD’s) 

 

•           bird book – e.g. SASOL’s Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa

 

•           double-size cotton sheet

 

•           short-wave radio to catch BBC World Service

 

Flights

 

You should fly to Johannesburg.  Be sure to get a return ticket that lasts at least twelve months.  The cheapest airlines vary, but most people fly on KLM, United Emirates, South African Airways or Virgin.  Return tickets usually cost between £450 and £700.00.

 

Having arrived in South Africa

 

You will arrive at Johannesburg International Airport and, depending on arrangements, you might either be met at the airport or have to find your way to Johannesburg/Pretoria.  If you have to stay in Johannesburg/Pretoria for a few days, (Pretoria is preferred) the cheapest places to stay are backpacker hostels. We recommend that you stay in the Pretoria Backpackers, in Pretoria (address below).  The project manager can arrange for you to be picked up upon arrival at Johannesburg International Airport and taken directly to Pretoria backpackers. From here it is easy to travel to the bus stop that will take you through to Kuruman/Upington where you will be met by a member of the project. 

           

Be cautious about looking like a tourist in the centre of Johannesburg (i.e. wandering around looking lost with a backpack on your back), as theft is a definite possibility.

 

There may be parcels that need to be taken up to the research site from the Mammal Research Institute at the University of Pretoria.  Please check with Martin Haupt at the Department of Zoology when you arrive.  The address is: 

 

Mammal Research Institute

Department of Zoology

University of Pretoria

Pretoria 0002

 

tel (from the UK):      00 27 12 420 2066

fax:                              00 27 12 420 2534

 

Similarly, items may need to be brought from the UK to the study site, contact should be made before departure via e-mail mkproj@mweb.co.za

 

 

Places to stay 

 

•           Pretoria Backpackers

            425 Farenden Street

            Clydesdale

            Pretoria

 

tel:        012 343 9754

email:    ptaback@netactive.co.za

rate:      approximately R35.00/night

 

 

Traveling to Van Zylsrus

 

You should have made contact with project members at Van Zylsrus before arriving, and have sorted out the plans to pick you up.  From Pretoria (Pretoria Station in the centre of Pretoria), catch the InterCape bus to Kuruman/Upington (depending on the arrangements that have been made). Tickets cost approximately R175-R250 per person to Kuruman/Upington. You must book your ticket at least 72 hours in advance, this is most easily done with a credit card on their website, found at www.intercape.co.za When booking by credit card you must produce your card and a booking confirmation (printed from website) upon boarding. 

 

The same buses go to Kuruman and Upington and leave on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at approximately 06.15am from Pretoria, and approximately 07.00am from Johannesburg (please check the bus times when you reserve your ticket). It is about an 11-hour trip to Upington and 8-hour trip to Kuruman.

 

Arriving at Kuruman/Upington

 

Whoever picks you up should bring your first month's food money so that you can buy food - but there is always a chance that they will not have done so, so it is best to have enough to cover this. You will need to purchase foods that are not bought communally e.g. tuna fish, cheese, alcohol, soft drinks, and breakfast cereals. There are freezers at the ranch so you can also buy a reasonable amount of frozen food, if you so desire. 

 

Contact addresses

 

The international dialing code for South Africa from the UK is 00 27, followed by the area code and telephone number (you must drop the first zero of the area code when telephoning from outside South Africa).  From South Africa, the code to the UK is 09 44 and then the area code, without the prefix 0.

 

•           Reservations for InterCape buses:

 

Pretoria            - tel. 012 6544114

Upington          - tel. 054 3326091

Website            www.intercape.co.za

 

 

•           Large Animal Research Group:

 

            Contact Sarah Hodge at:

 

            Department of Zoology

Downing Street

Cambridge CB2 3EJ

tel:  01223 336673

fax:  01223 336676

email:  sjh94@hermes.cam.ac.uk

 

•           Professor T H Clutton-Brock (personal): 

 

work: 01223 336605

home: 01638 742344

 

•           Van Zylsrus study site:

 

tel/fax (from the UK):    00 27 5378 10215

e-mail mkproj@mweb.co.za

 

postal address: 

 

Kalahari Meerkat Project

Kuruman River Reserve

PO Box 64

Van Zylsrus 8467

Northern Cape

South Africa

 

A few hints

 

•           you will be working in a small group of people of different nationalities:  be tolerant and supportive. 

 

•           you will be working in someone else's country.  Avoid political arguments, never appear arrogant and do not wear very short or tight clothes

 

•           you will be working under isolated, potentially dangerous conditions.  Make sure you know the emergency procedures and hospital/doctor's numbers in case of emergency.  Make sure that other project members know who to contact in case of an emergency. 

 

•           it’s hot! (and sometimes bloody cold!) you will be working under desert conditions.  Take water with you.  Wear a hat and adequate sun block.

 

•           do not drink too much alcohol and never drink alcohol on trips to town.  Do not get involved with social drinking outside the project (e.g. Van Zylsrus).  Never get drunk.

 

•           vehicles are expensive to run and repair, and cannot be replaced easily.  Drive slowly.  Cosset vehicles, being particularly careful of dust.  Make sure that if there is a problem with a vehicle, it is put right - not left to get worse

 

•           be very careful of field equipment, especially Psions, scales and receivers.  Average repair bills per year are over £1000.00, or over £100.00 per item repaired. Damages may be deducted from your flight reimbursement. 

 

Visitors

 

You should not invite visitors to stay with you at the farm for more than a few days.  You should give plenty of warning of visits to whoever is in charge.  Project visitors should organise their own transport to and from the farm unless their arrival coincides with shopping trips (although there is rarely room). Accommodation at the site is limited. In general, if you do have friends who visit, make sure you take care of their needs and tell them to come with their own supplies or provide for them yourself; be prepared to have them sleeping in your room and do not rely on project vehicles to pick them up/drop them off.

 

 

[Updated November 2003]

Photo: Martha Manser