Central Kalahari Game Reserve

We've all returned safely from our three nights spent in Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the second largest terrestrial game reserve in the world (52,800 square kilometers). While there we went on game drives in the mornings and afternoons and had some nice wildlife sightings, including numerous springbok and gemsbok, bat-eared foxes, giraffes, a brown hyena, and much more. 

Tomorrow morning we head out into the Okavango Delta for four nights. We will be without cell coverage and internet again, but we will have the satellite phone on from 7-8 (Botswana time), for emergencies only.

The satellite phone number: 00881631627587

Stay tuned for more updates on our journey into the wetlands of the Okavango Delta.

Driving into the park through the Tsau Gate, one of the main entrances to CKGR.

We saw a number of giraffe on our way into the park and on our game drives.

 Bat-eared foxes use their large ears for thermoregulation, crucial in the extreme temperatures of the Kalahari.

Enjoying an afternoon game drive. 

We followed this brown hyena down the road back to our camp for a kilometer while it marked its territory.

Deception Valley as the sun goes down.

MODISA

Yesterday afternoon we arrived at Modisa Conservation Project. Modisa was started in 2010 on a 10,000 hectare wildlife farm located next to Central Kalahari Game Reserve with a mission of combatting declining lion populations in Botswana. Modisa runs a volunteer camp and takes care of "problem" predators, including lions, leopards, and African wild dogs, which have been captured due to human-wildlife conflicts. Val also raised a lioness, Sirga, by hand after she was abandoned by her mother. She is now three and a half years old. The word modisa translates to shephard in Setswana.

Yesterday, we witnessed some of the lions and wild dogs that Modisa looks after. Afterwards, we drove over to Sirga´s enclosure, where we got to see Val play with her and feed her.

Val speaking to the group this afternoon on human-wildlife conflict in Botswana.

A female lioness gazing back at us.

An older male up close.

Getting to see Val interact with Sirga is pretty dang cool.

This morning, Daryl took us on a walk through the property. 

Playing some volleyball as the sun goes down.

Whiteboard Presentations at Modisa (Mike and Zoi)

We are currently at Modisa Conservation Project and this afternoon we had two student whiteboard presentations related to human-wildlife conflict in Botswana. Mike presented on the different perceptions of lions from farmers, villagers, and tourism employees near the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The study observed that interviewees generally believed that lion populations benefited the country of Botswana as a whole, but did not necessarily benefit themselves or their communities.

Zoi presented next on trends related to lion and leopard predation on livestock. The study looked at animal predation reports from communities of varying distance from Central Kalahari Game Reserve, with higher lion predation closer to the park but no significant relationship between leopard predation and distance to the park. As the government provides compensation for livestock killed by predators, this data serves as a useful tool for assessing human-wildlife conflict in the country.

Mike presenting to the group on lion-livestock conflict in Botswana.

Zoi presenting on the livestock predation patterns of lions and leopards, adding to the whiteboard as her presentation went on.

Leaving for Modisa and Safari!

Tomorrow we will be leaving our camp at Thakadu and heading out on safari for the next 12 days. We will not have cell phone coverage during this time (except for a refueling day in Maun on Thursday, the 25th of June). We will, however, continue to turn our satellite phone on between 7-8 PM (Botswana time). Again, this phone is for emergencies only.

The satellite phone number: 00881631627587

We are all excited to explore Modisa Conservation Project, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and Moremi Game Reserve. Stay tuned for photos and details once back in town. Enjoy some miscellaneous shots from our time at Thakadu in the meantime:

Brrrr... We had some icicles in camp this morning.

Our to-do whiteboard hanging in the main tent.

Playing frisbee in camp. (Photo by Kori) 

 Jack, Erik, and Daryl took on the task of tracking us through the bush from our vegetation transect back to the car last week.

We played some volleyball at the restaurant last Saturday.

 Hanging around the fire in camp the other night. (Photo by Cullen)

Whiteboard Presentations (Sara, Cullen, Sophia, and Mike)

Sara presented last Saturday on the influence of land use on wildlife and livestock in the Kalahari by looking at species diversity on protected wildlife lands and pastoral grazing areas. By examining these two areas during the dry and wet seasons, migratory patterns were discerned, with livestock moving into wildlife areas during the dry season.

On Tuesday, Cullen presented on struggles faced by indigenous peoples around the world, including the San people of Botswana. As indigenous is a difficult word to define, the implementation of international policy can be problematic, especially considering the varied positions of indigenous people worldwide.

Today, Sophia gave a presentation on HIV in Botswana, a country with a relatively high HIV prevalence rate. As certain cultural practices have led to a stigma surrounding the disease, more work still needs to be done on tackling the issue.

Afterwards, Mike presented on the health of the San people, with specific regards to before and after their relocation outside of Central Kalahari Game Reserve in 2002. The relocation of the San to permanent settlements has been seen as problematic for these traditionally nomadic people. As there is no word for health in the San language, the interview-style study had to instead asked interviewees what a good life meant.

Sara with her presentation on livestock and wildlife patterns in response to land use in the Kalahari.

 Cullen with his whiteboard on indigenous issues.

Sophia with her presentation on HIV in Botswana.

Mike is a bit nervous right before presenting to the class on the San.

Student Introductions (Sara)

Last but not least for our student introductions is Sara, who will introduce herself and offer thanks to the people and organizations who helped make her study abroad experience possible this summer.

Hello! My name is Sara Vicenta Cabral and I am a graduating Journalism and Geography double major. I knew this program was for me because it has a major outdoor component unlike all the other study abroad programs. Most importantly, this program presented a great opportunity to gain field research experience and explore the human and environmental dynamics behind real and pressing conflicts. So far the program has been just that and so much more! I would like to thank Professor Jennifer Miller and the Gilman International Scholarship Program for their support and making it possible for me to have this once in a life time experience! Thank you!

San Bushwalk

On Tuesday we experienced a display from locals of San traditions and culture, including the medicinal uses of vegetation, how to make fire, and song and dance.

 Zoi has a go at a traditional helicopter game, using a stick and a feather attached to a ball.

Sara making jewelry from ostrich egg shells. 

Squeezing the shavings of an underground tuber provides a necessary source of water in the arid Kalahari.

Erik takes a turn at traditional fire making. 

Later in the evening we got to experience the traditional song and dance of the San people.

After a bit, we all joined in to dance around the fire.

Student Introductions (Erik and Jack)

Last up for the guys on the trip is Erik and Jack, who will now introduce themselves and thank the people and organizations that helped fund their experience abroad.

It is in this land one must remember to appreciate the essentials we have learned to take for granted: warm showers, air conditioning, heat, musical instruments, abundance of food, seemingly infinite amenities, and things to do. Let us not forget clean air and crystal clear skies. These perceived essentials are in reality luxuries, comforts we have snuggled into, learned to hold on to. Life in the west can make one forget the true essentials; fire, water, food, air, earth and sunshine for it is true what they say the things that we need are already within us. I sadly have forgotten the art of living naturally; being in this barren environment has shown me that I have not the slightest clue what living naturally (as an indigenous person) is actually like. I thank my family for allowing me this glimpse of what such a life entails as well as the chance to develop my mind academically. I thank my friends and my band for their patience, understanding and support. And I thank the COLA for further financial support. I am a geography major specializing in GIS. I am a music lover that finds great enjoyment in both playing and composing. I also am in love with nature, which for me, being immersed in the natural beauty of the universe is therapy. I pursue a career geared towards environmental harmony, geographically and musically.

Dumela, my name is Jack Lane and I’m a sophomore at UT in the Liberal Arts Honors College. My major at UT is International Relations and Global Studies, with a focus on technology and the environment. When I began my first year at UT I had no idea that it would end with a study abroad program in Botswana; however, after taking an introduction to environmental science with Professor Thoralf I was sold. I would like to thank my mom, grandparents, and the College of Liberal Arts for all their ongoing support. Keitumetse!

Student Introductions (Kori and Shelby)

Next up we will let Kori and Shelby introduce themselves and give thanks to the people and organizations who helped make their study abroad experience possible.

Dumela! My name is Kori Mascheck and I am an International Relations and Global studies major with a focus on science, technology and the environment and a minor in African Studies. I am excited to be in Botswana and learn more about the technical side of environmental research. I would like to thank the College of Liberal Arts, my mom, my dad and Jan, Andy and my wonderful grandparents. As they say here in Setswana, Ke itumetse! Ke a go rata thata!

Hi everyone! My name is Shelby Acosta. I’m a fourth year Geography major and Spanish minor in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas. I chose to study abroad in Ghanzi to become more experienced in field work and to learn about a country and culture that I have never been exposed to. This is one of the most unique study abroad experiences offered by UT and I’m so privileged to be able to a part of it. I would like to thank the College of Liberal Arts, the University of Texas at Austin, and my family for making this trip possible for me. 

Camera Traps (Salt Lick)

Our second camera trap was set up next to a salt lick and small watering hole on the game farm. We caught some nice shots of kudu, banded mongoose, ostrich, and more.

A herd of kudu antelope next to the salt lick. 

A group of banded mongooses showed up in the early afternoon.

Three female ostriches gathered around the salt lick.

 The next day our camera caught a tawny eagle.

A group of wildebeest also showed up the other night.

Camera Traps (Vulture Restaurant)

Yesterday we set up two camera traps around the game farm. These motion-activated cameras are equipped with a flash to capture wildlife at night as well as during the day. Our first camera was set up at a place known as the vulture restaurant, a cleared area on the farm where dead cattle are taken to provide food for dwindling vulture populations. Stay tuned for more results from these camera traps!

The vulture restaurant is host to white-back vultures, lappet-faced vultures, and marabou stork.

Forty minutes later, more vultures have gathered for dinner. A lappet-faced posed for us front and center.

After the sun went down, a group of jackals came in for a meal.

An eland antelope trots in front of the camera.

By 7:00 am, the jackals are still hanging around. Also, take note of the temperature reading in the bottom left (!).

Just after sunrise, the vultures have begun to show up for breakfast.

Whiteboard Presentations (Erik and Kevin)

Today we had two more student whiteboard presentations from Erik and Kevin. Erik presented on the influence of herbivores on vegetation structure within Kruger National Park. His study used exclosures and airborne remote sensing technology to observe changes in vegetation growth with and without the presence of large herbivores. The researchers observed a significant difference between the two treatments, with greater species diversity observed in areas that included herbivores, due to increased seed dispersal and soil nutrient levels.

Kevin presented on the Tribal Grazing Land Policy (TGLP) that was implemented by the Botswana government in the 1970's. His presentation covered differences in land degradation across three main study areas, with overgrazing significantly reducing the amount of grass and herbaceous cover surrounding watering points. Environmental variability from rainfall and soil erosion additionally influenced the amount of degradation experienced in each study area.

Erik with his map of geologic regions within Kruger National Park.

Kevin with his presentation on Tribal Grazing Land Policy.

More Fieldwork!

For the past two weeks our mornings have been spent in the field. We finished the majority of our vegetation plot regrowth measurements at the end of last week and will soon have results with which we can calculate per habitat aboveground biomass for the farm. These findings will serve as part of our final projects for the program. 

This week we began working on a new project looking into vegetation differences on and off of the Ghanzi ridge, a limestone geologic feature that cuts through Thakadu. This data has been sampled using a line intercept technique that stretches from the northwest to the southeast of the property, allowing us to cover greater areas than possible with plot sampling, over six kilometers in total. Along with vegetation cover measurements, at each site we've taken soil depth measurements using an auger, with some sites off of the Ghanzi ridge having a soil depth of nearly three meters!

Jack, Kevin, Shelby, and Zoi collecting regrowth measurements in the fenced vegetation plot.

Sara, Mike, Ashley, and Cullen taking line intercept readings.

Alec taking soil depth measurements with the auger.

Once bedrock is hit, the height of the soil layer is measured.