Pre-release research and training on Yellow baboon group (Papio cynocephalus)

Hiring Organization:

The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is a wildlife rescue, conservation and education centre. Our main goal is to help the wildlife, as well of the people of Malawi. As a rescue centre we try to help all kinds of orphaned and injured wild animals which are native to Malawi. Wherever suitable we aim to release those animals back into the wild again. When not releasable, we provide life time care for the animals. As a conservation centre we also work together with local communities through our education and community outreach projects. This makes us the first People and Wildlife (PAW) accredited  organization in the world.  We also just won the Responsible Tourism Award for “Best for Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats”. This award is the only one of its kind in the world, organized by BBC, Virgin Holidays and World Travel Market. For more information about the centre and our activities please visit our web-site: www.lilongwewildlife.org or contact Jasper Iepema (animalcare@LLWC.org)

Position description:

For our ongoing primate release program we are looking a student/ graduate who is interested in doing pre-release behavioral research on our next release group of about 30 Yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus). Most of those animal came in from illegal trade or because they were injured. We aim to release this group again in September 2012.

For the whole release program we intend to follow the IUCN guidelines for re-introduction of non-human primates as close as possible. We endeavor to use as much as possible scientific based research to improve the success of our release program and share knowledge with other African rescue centers. Contributing to the LLWC Primate Release Programme offers exciting opportunities for those who want to help set standards for the implementation of primate releases, whilst also furthering African primate conservation.

The first part of this research project covers a release suitability analysis of all the individuals in the group and as the group as a whole. According to various parameters you examine to what extent individuals, and finally the group as a whole, are suitable for release back into the wild. Parameters you could think of are appropriate social behavior, social position in the group, foraging techniques, human avoidance and predator recognition and avoidance.  Final result will be a report from all individuals and the group as a whole concerning the suitability for release, as well as recommendations for further pre-release training.

The  second part of the project concerns the pre-release training of the whole group. Based on the results of the release suitability analyses you continue preparing the group for their release. This could involve predator avoidance training, training of foraging techniques as well as accustoming the animals to a new diet which approximates their future diet in the wild.

At this moment we are building a big off-site pre-release enclosure in our own wilderness zone. This enclosure will resemble as much as possible the natural environment where the baboons will be finally released. Also the enclosure will be screened off completely and even contact with caretakers and researchers will be minimized. The release group will move into this new enclosure by the beginning of December after which the research can start.

Apart from the pre-release research you will contribute actively in fundraising for our release program.

 Qualifications/ experience:

• You have at least a MSC degree  in biology/ zoology or any related study
• You have experience with behavioral research, preferably on primates
• You will be able to set up and carry out your own methodology for the research project
•  You have strong analytical skills
• You have good knowledge of the English language, spoken and written
• You are highly motivated, open minded and flexible    
• Preferably you have experience with recognizing individuals in big groups of primates
• You have the concentration, motivation and commitment to observe primates for extended periods, even when it is very warm or rains
• You are mentally and physically fit to work long days, six days a week
• You are emotionally mature and able to work independently

Salary/ funding:

You will not receive any salary, but we provide housing for free. Housing will be on site, within our volunteer accommodation. All other costs, flight, visa and food, will be at own expense. Visa will cost between 50-75 pounds, depending on the length of stay. Weekly food and drink expenses will be about 40 pounds, but will of course also depend on your lifestyle.  

To Apply:

Sent your application letter and CV to Jasper Iepema: animalcare@LLWC.org