Camera traps in camp

We put up our game cameras in our camp in the delta to see what wildlife we had moving through our campsite during the night and while we were out on game drives during the day. We didn't have too much luck with our camera placement and missed some of the vervet monkeys we had near our campsite but we did manage to catch a close up shot of a bull elephant having a snack:

Back from safari!

We returned yesterday from our four night trip into the Okavango Delta and are all now at Camp Kitso in Maun. While on safari, we camped in sites by the Khwai river and got to see some great wildlife that inhabit the delta including wild dogs, leopards, elephants, zebras, and a host of unique birds. We also discussed issues related to community-based natural resource management, tourism in the delta, and the impact of elephants on vegetation structure. Check out some photos of the wildlife we got to see below:

Taking photos of a pack of African wild dogs (also known as African painted dogs) hanging out in the grass.

The colorful lilac-breasted roller is a common resident of the delta.

We spotted a lot of zebras while driving around. Note the injured front leg for the zebra on the right.

Elephants are a common sight while driving by the water.

Wild dogs looking around for prey.

The African fish eagle is another common resident of the delta. We saw many of them while on our game drives.

Making the trip through one of several river crossings. This is right before discovering a hippo track through the water...

Student Presentations 6

While at Modisa and on safari in CKGR we had student presentations on topics related to human-wildlife conflict in Botswana and the implications of trophy hunting in southern Africa. 

At Modisa, Elizabeth presented on the predation of livestock by lions, leopards, wild dogs, brown hyena, and cheetahs in Botswana. 

Anneka presented on attitudes toward livestock predation by lions in the communities surrounding Makgadikgadi Pans National Park in northern Botswana.

While on safari in CKGR, Chad presented on the ability of trophy hunting to provide opportunities for wildlife conservation.

Jakki presented on the socio-economic benefits provided by trophy hunting and the importance of implementing lion age restrictions in hunting in order to maintain sustainable population levels.

Elizabeth presented on human-wildlife conflict related to wild dogs in northern Botswana and potential strategies to mitigate losses from predator predation.

Zach presented on simulated models related to population levels of commonly hunted predators in Africa including lions, cougars, black bears, and leopards.

CKGR

After our stay at Modisa, we headed to Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) - the second largest terrestrial game reserve in the world. Our days here consisted of game drives in the morning, student presentations after lunch, and then another mid-afternoon game drive before we headed back to camp for dinner. While here we saw a wide assortment of wildlife including gemsbok, springbok, giraffes, bat-eared foxes, jackals, lions (and a couple lion cubs!), and cheetahs. 

Gemsbok are easily identified by their painted faces and v-shaped horns. This one is a female based upon her narrower horns and thinner neck.

A giraffe looking for a shrub to browse on for a snack.

The black-backed jackal are a common sighting at CKGR.

A young lion we found in the middle of the road.

Snapping photos from the safari vehicle.

Both of our safari vehicles side-by-side to check out a lion.

This lion yawned for us, showing off his awesome teeth.

Modisa Wildlife Project

We returned to Maun yesterday and have been staying at Camp Kitso before we leave for safari tomorrow. We'll be heading to Khwai in the Okavango Delta, where we'll be on safari for four nights. We will be without cell service in Khwai, but will have the satellite phone with us (again - for emergencies only). 

Before making the trek into Central Kalahari Game Reserve, we stopped at Modisa Wildlife Project for two nights. Modisa is a volunteer-run conservation project that tackles issues related to human-wildlife conflict in the Kalahari. They also provide food and shelter for multiple large predators at the heart of these conflicts - including lions, wild dogs, and leopards. 

On the drive to Modisa, our driver Colin found a large stick insect.

On our first afternoon at Modisa, we were given an introduction to human-wildlife conflict in Botswana by Val, the co-founder and conservation operator at Modisa.

Having fun on the volleyball court at Modisa's camp.

Sara snapping a photo of a cool moth she found on a bush walk around the property.

Julianne (our resident herpetologist) showing off an agama lizard she found on the walk.

TAKE THE WORLD BY THE HORNS

African wild dogs watching us curiously at Modisa.

Leaving Thakadu - Heading out on Safari!

Tomorrow morning we will be leaving our base camp at Thakadu Bush Camp and begin the safari portion of our program. We will first spend two nights at Modisa Conservation Project where we will be learning about human-wildlife conflict in Botswana.

From there, we head out to Central Kalahari Game Reserve for 3 nights. We then have a one-day stopover in Maun to refuel before we head to the Okavango Delta for 4 nights. Except for the 23rd when we are in Maun, we will be without cellphone service and internet for the next 11 days. 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

Stay tuned for photos and details once we are back!

Student Presentations 5

On Wednesday, Ben and Sara finished off our student presentations for our stay at Thakadu. They presented on topics related to dryland assessment and livelihood dynamics in drylands.

Ben presented on a paper aiming at an increased focus of coupled human-natural systems in drylands.

Sara presented on livelihood dynamics in drylands related to resource use, including Grewia shrubs that we've seen here at Thakadu.

Student Introductions 8

Last up for our student introductions is tent conTent - Kooky Katie and Juvenile Guinea Fowl Janna!

Howdy! My name is Katie and I'm a 4th year Environmental Science major. I'm really excited to be in Botswana to gain practical field experience, learn more about African cultures, see some wild animals, and gaze at spectacular stars. One of the most interesting things we've done so far is learn the local language, Setswana, from our new friend, Tefo. Ke rate go leba bophirima jwa letsatsi in Botswana, which means I love to watch the sunsets in Botswana. I would like to thank my mom and dad for all their support in my travels home. Go siame!

Hola! My name is Janna. I'm a 4th year Environmental Science major and Philosophy Minor. Ke a itumela go bala le go tsamaya go Africa. I am primarily here because I am incredibly interested in the intersection of environmental and societal issues, which we will be thoroughly studying during our 6 weeks abroad. However, I wouldn't possibly be here without the passionate recommendations of my good friends Shelby, Jack, Alec, and Elizabeth (who have all previously taken part in this program), the generous contributions of my Uncle Mike and the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Endowment for International and Multidisciplinary Studies, and the unending support of my parents le ke mosadi, Justina. A huge thanks to every single one of y'all! Ke a le boga!

Student Introductions 7

Today's introductions are from the residents of Tent Cheetah Girls, Elegant Elizabeth and Athletic Anneka!

Dumela, leina lame ke Elizabeth. I'm an incoming junior majoring in Environmental Science. I am a part of the Liberal Arts Honors program, Green Geeks, and Alpha Chi Omega. I enjoy running to the capital and around the green belts in my spare time. I am very excited to be in Botswana gaining hands on experience in the realm of sustainability and conservation. Plus, learning about all of the wildlife is amazing as well! I would like to thank the college of liberal arts, LAH, and my wonderful family for supporting this trip and helping me get here.

Dumela! My name is Anneka and I am a Biology and Plan II major at UT going into my junior year. I've been wanting to come explore Africa for as long as I can remember, and I'm very grateful to be here. I would firstly like to thank my 5th grade science teacher, Mrs. Volshenk, for nurturing my love of biology when we dissected a fish. I would also like to thank the creators of National Geographic magazine for teaching me about the world and inspiring me to travel. I mostly want to thank my parents for giving me the opportunities to travel and live around the world. Mom, thank you for preparing me well for this 6 week camping trip and always being so supportive of adventures. Dad, thank you so much for making this whole experience possible, without you this would still be a dream. Lastly, thank you to all my friends and supporters who encouraged me to come on this trip and explore one of the few truly wild places left on earth. Love, Anneka

Soil Science

No environmental science course would be complete without examining the local soil! We've learned how to dig a soil pit, including the most common "pit"falls to avoid. (To all of the soil scientists out there - yes, we did intentionally dig the soil pit incorrectly in order to show what not to do. Experiential learning is the best type of learning!)

Athletic Anneka is quickly becoming Auger Anneka!

Contemplating the depths to which we will sink for science.

Celine celebrating the completion of the 1 meter deep soil pit!

Bonus photo: Learning to mix cement to install a rain gauge station.

Student Presentations 4

We've been learning more about social and environmental topics in Botswana from our fellow students in the last couple of days:

Sara led a discussion about the future of wildlife based land uses in Botswana.

Alisha used graphics to help explain a technical study monitoring the migration of zebra using GPS collars and remote sensing.

Celine got us thinking about the wide variety of implications for routine HIV testing in Botswana.

TUBERS!!!

Survival in the Kalahari region can require some serious adaptations for plants. We recently dug up a tuber, which stores water and nutrients underground so that the plant can use this storage reserve in times of scarcity. Even animals often dig these up for water.

Our tuber, shown on the right below with a water bottle for size comparison, weighs 28 kilograms. Last year's tuber, shown on the left, weighed 48 kg when it was first dug up last year. Now it weighs only 5 kg, meaning that it lost 43 kg of water over the past year! 

Student Introductions 6

Introducing the residents of Tent Spicy Boyz: Bluegrass Ben and Spicy Shyam! 

(Their tent name represents that these two are some of the biggest fans of Nando's Hot Sauce.)

Hello! My name's Ben Smith and I'm from Hunt, Texas. I just finished my sophomore year at UT, where I'm now majoring in Geography and aiming to specialize in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I decided to study abroad here in Botswana because I love camping and working outdoors, and I hope to gain some more practical experience in the geographic field. I want to thank my mom and dad for pouring their money and time into me so that I can leave them to run summer camp on their own. See y'all in a few weeks!

Dumela! My name is Shyam and I will be a junior studying chemical engineering this fall. I have always been interested in environmental science and chose to be a part of this program to gain experience in the field. In the future, I plan to work in the area of renewable energy to reduce the impacts of climate change. I would like to thank my parents for supporting my desire to come to Botswana. I would also like to thank the Engineering Honors Program for providing me with additional financial support for my education. I am really looking forward to spending time here in Botswana and hope to gain practical experience that will last for a lifetime.

Zach's STELLAR star photos

Camping out in the bush definitely has its perks! Take a look at these photos of the night sky that Zach captured to show everyone what we see when we are relaxing around the campfire. 

This is the first time many of us have seen the Milky Way.

Here in Ghanzi, we can see stars that are otherwise obscured by light pollution.

Not a bad way to close out another fantastic day in Botswana.

Student Introductions 5

Next up for our student intros is the Gingerbread House - Chuckling Chad and Zookeeper Zach, our resident redheads in camp.

Dumela! Hey, my name is Chad and finally I have graduated from UT with a degree in English. In the likes of Hemingway, I have found refuge in southern Africa! My appreciation and love of the outdoors was found in my youth when I became an Eagle Scout, and in college, the environmental literature I read from the likes of Rick Bass and Jack London grew my appreciation to what it is today. Furthermore, I am grateful to have the opportunity to be exposed to the geographical fieldwork as I pursue graduate studies in related fields. I am looking forward to the sunsets, hard work, statistics, and wildlife. I would like to thank Dr. Rapaport and the scholarship provided from them, and I would also like to thank my family, girlfriend, and Pearl St. Cooperative for there unwavering support during the entirety of the process to get me here.

Hi all! My name is Zach, I'm going to be a senior at UT in the fall. I'm studying Sustainability and hope to use my degree to make an impact on the world. Coming to Botswana is a really cool opportunity for me to experience a new environment and to learn new things. I'm very excited to get to see all of the wildlife that this country has to offer, especially hippos and elephants. I'd like to give a great shoutout to all of my friends and family reading this. I miss you all, and can't wait to get to see y'all when I get back. Thanks so much for all the support and prayers, especially from my parents. Philippians 1:3

Who's at the waterhole?

Our camera trap at one of the regularly frequented waterholes on Thakadu caught some great wildlife shots over the past week. And yesterday we set up a camera by an active aardvark hole in hopes of catching one on camera - stay tuned!

Eland antelope (the largest antelope species in Africa) gather by the water for a drink. 

We caught three out of four of the elusive giraffes living on Thakadu!

Some gemsbok striking poses for the camera.