Field Assistant Ethiopian Wolf Reproductive Physiology

Ever wanted to do field work on the Roof of Africa?

URGENT: Volunteer opportunity with WildCRU’s Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme (EWCP). From mid July 09 for seven months.

The Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) is the world’s rarest canid and is restricted to the Ethiopian highlands. WildCRU graduates have been studying Ethiopian wolves for over 20 years, and our current project is assessing the reproductive physiology of female Ethiopian wolves. Hormones can be measured non-invasively in faecal samples, thus providing an insight into the breeding mechanism of these communal breeders. Field work involves detailed behavioural observation of wolf packs, and collecting faecal samples.

The volunteer will join a team of experienced field workers, camping at the EWCP field camp in Bale’s Web Valley (3,500 meters a.s.l) and working on foot and horseback track female wolves in 4 focal packs. Conditions are basic, working days long, and the mountain weather taxing, but this is an exciting opportunity to study these threatened canids, and gain valuable field experience studying social carnivores.

For more information please see www.ethiopianwolf.org or contact Freya van Kesteren at freyavankesteren@gmail.com

Location: Bale Mountains National Park, Southern Ethiopia (430 km from Addis Ababa).

Work: join an Oxford graduate studying the reproductive physiology of female wolves. Follow Ethiopian wolves on foot recording behaviour at close quarters and collecting faecal samples.

Requirements:  

Undergraduate degree in Biology/Conservation

Ability to work in difficult and remote conditions

Good level of fitness (20-30km of fell walking a day)

Previous field experience

Flights, travel insurance and local travel will be covered, and basic accommodation will be provided.