University of Zambia Internship Program
Student interns Nsamba Saboi (middle) and Kochelani Saili (right) learn radio-telemetry along the banks of the Luangwa with ZCP staff member Chapuma Chirwa.
The Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP)—University of Zambia (UNZA) Internship Programme is a new initiative developed in 2009 as part of a cooperative agreement between ZCP, UNZA, and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to strengthen collaborations and capacity-building for Zambian university students intending to pursue careers in ecological research, management, and conservation.
The programme is designed to provide an opportunity for students of ecology, wildlife biology, geography, environmental sciences and other disciplines to gain field research experience and further their development as young professionals through active participation and training on an ongoing carnivore research and conservation project.
Collecting data on one of the local wild dog packs.
Successful applicants gain exposure to a wide variety of topics relevant to their discipline and career aspirations, including application of the scientific method, designing and developing research questions and projects, field research and monitoring techniques, introduction to ecological data analysis techniques and software, exposure and involvement in a wide variety of conservation issues, and interaction and networking with partner organizations and agencies involved in research, management, conservation, and education. In addition, training in more general skills will also be available, including basic computer, typing, administrative, first-aid, and equipment maintenance and repair skills.
Our first Interns arrived for work in December 2009 and despite the pending rains were immediately involved in a variety of project field work, including tracking wild dogs, collaring a lion,
Collaring a lioness in the Game Management Area
and becoming extremely knowledgeable about how to patch tires! A comprehensive exam was given at the conclusion of the programme in which students were required to answer a variety of questions about science and conservation before designing a scientific study to address a pressing conservation question in the valley. Overall it was a big success and will hopefully be the start of a long and productive collaboration with the University of Zambia and its students.
