PRIMATE CONSERVATION RESEARCH
SUMMARY
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust’s Primate Release Programme for yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) and vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) has been running since 2013. The supporting research project assesses the success of these welfare releases for those animals rescued and rehabilitated at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, with the aim of informing future releases, both from the Trust and from other projects around the world.
We conduct extensive research pre- and post release to inform processes, such as release site selection and habitat quality. We also conduct a comprehensive primate population census and habitat assessment at the release site.
RESEARCH SITE
This project is based at the Malawi Wildlife Research Institute in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. The institute is a joint initiative between the Department of National Parks & Wildlife, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and Conservation Research Africa.
STUDENT AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
No specific qualifications are required for this project. Students and volunteers will have the opportunity to carry out the following work:
- Individual identification (based on age and sex classes)
- Tracking using radio telemetry
- Behavioural observations (social relationships, feeding, group composition, body condition etc.)
- Learning about the surrounding plant and animal ecology
- Data entry and GIS (using QGIS)
- Gaining field experience with an expert team
Read more about our wildlife research placement opportunities here.
PROJECT PARTNER
