We are currently accepting donor volunteers for our primary study site at Mushara waterhole in Namibia. Mushara is a remote water point, located in the northeast corner of the Etosha National Park and is closed to the public. The site is fed by an artesian spring that is controlled in the dry season to support the many species of wildlife that depend on it. Of the approximately 2,500 elephants that reside in the park, this region hosts an estimated 500 individuals and family herds, of which about 250 are frequent visitors to our field site.
During our field studies, we build a temporary 10 x 10 meter camp around a permanent three-story tower that hosts eight to ten researchers consisting of the principle investigators, students and several donor volunteers. Everybody at the site participates in our research activities, as well as equipping and running the camp.
The field camp is completely isolated and runs entirely on solar energy. It has no plumbing but does have a constant stream of wildlife, ranging from birds to lions, day and night. The camp is enclosed in a boma (hide) and electric fence and has a “bush” toilet and shower. Volunteers stay in shared tents for two-week periods between June and August each year.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email us a short description of any previous experience that would be helpful to our research (see Research), as well as your specific interest in the program.