environmental jobs in south africa

The Lajuma Research Centre, located in the Soutpansberg Mountains of Limpopo, offers a rare setting for long-term primate behavioural and ecological studies. The reserve supports all five South African primate species, including chacma baboons, vervet monkeys, samango monkeys, and two galago species. The diverse combination of mountain forest, grasslands, and rocky terrain provides exceptional opportunities to examine primate adaptation, social organisation, and habitat use. Internship Overview The Chacma Baboon Project at Lajuma Research Centre investigates the behaviour and feeding ecology of wild but human-habituated baboon troops in the Soutpansberg Mountains. This unique setting allows close, non-invasive observation of social dynamics, movement patterns, and dietary choices. Participants help maintain long-term monitoring by collecting field data on activity patterns, habitat use, and seasonal diet. Shorter stays focus on broad behavioural and ecological...

The Soutpansberg Mountains support a distinctive assemblage of reptile species shaped by past climate stability and geographic isolation. Cool rocky slopes, summit grasslands, and diverse forest systems create refuges for many endemic species. At the Lajuma Research Centre, interns assist in long-term reptile monitoring while gaining practical experience in species identification, habitat assessment, and ecological field methods. Internship Focus: Interns participate in reptile surveys and habitat evaluations across a range of environments. The project aims to document species distribution, abundance, and ecological requirements to support ongoing conservation and biodiversity research. Activities may include: Conducting visual encounter surveys and habitat assessments Recording species presence, abundance, and behaviour Supporting data entry, management, and reporting Fieldwork Requirements: All fieldwork is carried out on...

About Us The Lajuma Research Centre is home to more than 2,500 plant species and 600 tree species. They cover a variety of habitats including woody grasslands, mountain bushveld, mistbelt forest, and riverine forest, and their related floral diversity. Vegetation communities and structures are dynamic and need to be constantly studied. An array of vegetation studies can be undertaken in this unique landscape.  Internship Overview Depending on the project, interns will be actively identifying species, delineating environments or sampling vegetation communities, further expanding knowledge on this crucial aspect of ecology.  Activities may include: Ground truthing vegetation communities to update vegetation maps Alien and invasive species removal/mapping Focal data collection on species utilisation of key vegetation, eg Ficus sp.  Assisting with data management and reporting Fieldwork Requirements All fieldwork...

WildComm Research Stations offers an immersive internship for individuals passionate about wildlife research and conservation. This position offers students the opportunity to contribute to key research objectives by conducting behavioural observations related to habitat use, movement dynamics, social behaviour, and dietary preferences. Interns will participate in structured fieldwork and data collection, gaining valuable experience in wildlife research and conservation methods. Location Limpopo Province, South Africa | Private wildlife reserve, home to two of the Big Five Responsibilities Giraffe Behavioural Observation: Conduct detailed behavioural observations using scan and focal sampling techniques during set transects. Habitat Use & Social Dynamics: Record movement patterns, habitat use, and social interactions to investigate giraffe social networking behaviour. Capture Individual Identification: Capture and catalog ID...

WildComm Research Stations is a conservation organisation located in South Africa, committed to hands-on research, education, and training for the next generation of conservationists. We are situated within a private reserve, home to two of the Big Five, rich birdlife, and diverse vegetation. We focus on providing interns with direct, meaningful opportunities to engage in wildlife conservation efforts. Project Description Are you passionate about wildlife conservation and eager to gain hands-on experience in the field? Join our Rhino Research Project and contribute to important studies focused on the behaviour and ecology of one of Africa’s most iconic and endangered species. As an intern, you’ll be part of a dedicated team conducting field observations and collecting data to support long-term conservation efforts. This is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of rhino behaviour while making a meaningful contribution to their protection. Key...

Our research centre is excited to offer an exceptional internship opportunity focused on predator conservation and the dietary habits of different predator species, set in a magnificent 27,000-hectare of continuous game reserve that is home to 17 different antelope species and a variety of both small and large predators. Camera Trapping: Gain practical hands-on experience in setting up, managing, and optimising camera trap placements for behavioural monitoring and data collection. Carnivore Diet Studies: Conduct hair analysis of scat samples to determine predator diet composition. Predator Identification Kits: Assist in developing and expanding individual identification (ID) kits to accurately monitor populations of Spotted and Brown Hyenas, Cheetahs, and Leopards on the reserve. Conservation Context In South Africa, a variety of predators face significant threats, including habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, potential low genetic...

Are you passionate about wildlife conservation and large mammals? Join our research team in a breathtaking 27,000-hectare South African game reserve — home to giraffes, 17 species of antelope, and two of the Big Five — for an immersive conservation internship. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful conservation work while gaining field experience in a spectacular environment. Project Overview: This internship provides hands-on involvement in giraffe monitoring and broader wildlife research. While you will work largely independently, you will receive guidance, supervision, and support from experienced researchers. Your efforts will contribute to understanding giraffe populations, behaviour, and habitat use. Key Activities: Monitor giraffe populations: Identify and catalogue individual animals by building detailed identification kits using GiraffeSpotter, assess male-to-female ratios, and contribute to long-term population monitoring. All...

Join us for an incredible opportunity in South Africa! We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated interns for our Bird Diversity Project. This research initiative aims to investigate how different bird species utilise various habitats within our expansive 66,800 acres of continuous reserve. Surrounded by magnificent baobab trees and boasting over 17 different antelope species, the reserve also hosts a diverse range of predators, including Leopard, Cheetah, Caracal, African Wildcat, Brown and Spotted Hyena, and Serval, making it an ideal location for research. Project Overview This project focuses on monitoring the diversity of bird species across different habitat types on the reserve. By conducting regular bird surveys and recording species presence and abundance, we aim to better understand how bird communities vary across vegetation zones. The data contributes to long-term biodiversity monitoring and informs conservation management by identifying key habitats that...