Bird Project - Internship in South Africa WildComm Research Stations

WildComm Research Stations is a conservation organisation based in South Africa, dedicated to hands-on research and training for the next generation of conservationists. Situated within a private reserve-home to two of the Big Five, rich birdlife, and diverse vegetation-we provide interns with meaningful opportunities to contribute to wildlife conservation.

This internship offers an immersive experience in long-term bird monitoring, with a focus on avian diversity, abundance, and habitat use across the reserve. Interns will:

• Work alongside experienced researchers in the field
• Conduct systematic bird point counts at 36 randomly generated survey sites
• Record sightings with GPS location, species ID, behaviour, and distance from observer
• Assess the ecological significance of key resources for different bird species
• Assist with data entry and management

This internship is ideal for students or graduates in ecology, zoology, ornithology, wildlife conservation, or related fields.

• No prior birding experience is required, though an interest in avian ecology is essential
• Applicants should be comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions
• A reasonable level of fitness is needed, as surveys are conducted entirely on foot

Flexible We recommend a commitment of 2-4 months to make the most of the learning opportunities in avian fieldwork and biodiversity monitoring.

As you'll be living on a wildlife reserve, part of your fee contributes directly to the protection of the land and the species it supports.

Included in the fee:

• Accommodation on the reserve
• Transport: Louis Trichardt pick-up/drop-off
• Fortnightly town trips for supplies