Last modified: 30 Jul 2024 11:46
Residential field course based in Siyafinda Game reserve, and the Greater Kruger Ecosystem in South Africa, structured to provide you with training in animal tracking and the interpretation of ecological data in the field.
Local experts teach tracking skills and provide lessons related to natural history, palaeontology, vegetation, and the complexities of implementing conservation in the local context.
Visits to a variety of local habitats will reinforce taxonomic and species identification skills.
Maintaining a field notebook, completing a project proposal and taking a tracking test will allow you to demonstrate achievement of the course learning outcomes.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Third Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
This residential field course is based in a privately owned reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park, near Hoedspruit in South Africa. The course runs in from mid to late August, 12 nights, 13 days in camp and is associated with a fee of approximately £2,400; students also need to cover the cost of travel (estimated cost of return flight from Aberdeen to Hoedspruit is approximately £1500). Common mammal tracks observed around the camp include: leopard, lion, spotted hyena, jackal, wild dog, porcupine, civet, mongoose, baboon, giraffe, elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus, nyala, bushbuck, impala and more. As with all natural environments, the presence of species varies and it cannot be guaranteed that we will encounter, or observe tracks all of the above species.
The teaching team includes the only senior female tracker in the world, Kersey Lawrence and an author of ten books on tracking, signs and natural history of southern Africa, Lee Gutteridge. Tracking will form the main component of the course and opportunities to observe large mammals as they pass through the area will take precedence over other activities. Much of the teaching is carried out while tracking, but there will also be teaching activities that will allow a detailed understanding of other aspects of the area, including an introduction to important components of the vegetation and the multiple ways in which animals and plants interact within the savanna ecosystem. Other activities include explorations of environments either within or near Siyafunda including the Drakensberg Mountains.
On the ground, students will keep a field notebook, which will be marked. Students will also have the opportunity to take an end of course exam to gain a tracking certificate. Additionally, students will be asked to propose a notional project, based on information received through the course.
| Description | Value |
|---|---|
| Associated cost | GBP 2,400.00 |
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Individualised written feedback to each student |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Reflection | Evaluate | Develop biological recording skills by maintaining a field notebook that demonstrates a capacity for detailed documentation of observations and information about species and environments encountered, |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Individualised written feedback to each student |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Demonstrate a capacity to analyse and evaluate information through the completion of a project |
| Assessment Type | Formative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 4 | Feedback Weeks | 4 | |
| Feedback |
Feedback on tracking exam and awarding of certificates will be carried out at Ngala. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Apply | Develop skills in locating, identifying and interpreting animal tracks and signs with sufficient proficiency to pass a test |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Demonstrate a capacity to analyse and evaluate information through the completion of a project |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Develop biological recording skills by maintaining a field notebook that demonstrates a capacity for detailed documentation of observations and information about species and environments encountered, |
| Procedural | Apply | Develop skills in locating, identifying and interpreting animal tracks and signs with sufficient proficiency to pass a test |
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