Primate Release Manager

Job Title: Voluntary Primate Release Manager, Lilongwe Wildlife Centre

Job Description:

The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is seeking a student/ graduate to manage pre-release behavioural research on its next release troop of about 30 Yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) as part of the Centre’s ongoing primate release programme. Most of these animals came in from illegal trade or because they were injured. We aim to release this troop in September 2012.

For the whole release program we intend to follow, as closely as possible, the IUCN guidelines for re-introduction of non-human primates. We endeavour to use as much scientific based research as possible to improve the success of our release programme and share knowledge with other African rescue centres. 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. According to various parameters, such as social behaviour, social position in the group, foraging techniques, human avoidance and predator recognition and avoidance, you will examine to what extent individuals, and finally the troop as a whole, are suitable for release back into the wild, culminating in the production of a release suitability report and recommendations for further pre-release training.

The second part of the project concerns the pre-release training of the troop. Based on the results of the release suitability analyses you will continue to prepare the troop for their release with skills including predator avoidance, foraging techniques and wild dietary habituation.

At this moment we are building a large off-site pre-release enclosure in our own wilderness zone. This enclosure will be screened off completely and contact with caretakers and researchers will be minimized to resemble, as much as possible, the natural environment where the baboons will finally be released. The release troop 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 programme.

Qualifications/ experience:

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

Salary/ funding:

You will not receive any salary, but we provide housing for free, on site, within our volunteer accommodation. All other costs, eg flight, visa and food, will be at your own expense. A 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. 

Terms of appointment:

ASAP

Contact information:

Jasper Iepema

E-mail address:

animalcare@LLWC.org