SOUTH AFRICA’S
SCAVENGER SPECIES
Hyenas and other scavengers love a bite of someone else’s leftovers, and this
second-hand snacking is actually essential to a successful ecosystem. Now you
can study African scavengers to document the threats they face, and help us
find ways to protect them.
THE EXPEDITION
HOW VOLUNTEERS HELP
All over Africa, you’ll find scavengers living outside
of protected areas in commercial landscapes, like farmland
and game ranches. While most farmers and many other
people see scavengers as pests, Earthwatch scientists
believe that these creatures are one of the key ingredients
to a healthy ecosystem. And if we can maintain a delicate
balance between four important scavengers—hyenas,
vultures, jackals, and dung beetles—we’ll have the recipe
for a robust and successful savanna.
Traveling by vehicle or on foot, you’ll look for evidence
of hyenas and other scavengers. At night, you’ll conduct
predator population counts, playing tape recordings
of their prey to attract nocturnal carnivores. Much of
your work will be within Pilanesberg National Park,
which offers dramatic scenery in the remains of an extinct
volcano, and is home to zebras, white rhinos, elephants,
wildebeest, and other creatures. With your help, we’ll
find the key to educating the public on the value of
scavengers, and facilitate human-wildlife coexistence.
RENDEZVOUS:
Johannesburg, South Africa
DETAILS
Pilanesberg National Park,
EXPEDITON LOCATION: South Africa
DURATION:
12 Days
ACTIVITIES:
Animal and Insect Surveys,
Hiking, Night Surveys, Research
CONTRIBUTION:
$3,950/£2,495
For more information, visit earthwatch.org, call (800) 776-0188, or see map on other side.
South Africa’s Scavenger Species
Wildlife & Ecosystems
School Group Expedition Sites
14
16
8
18
19
13
10
7 9
11
12
15
6
4
17
1
2
WILDLIFE & ECOSYSTEMS
5
3
South Africa’s
Scavenger Species
OCEAN HEALTH
CLIMATE CHANGE
ARCHAEOLOGY & CULTURE
Wildlife & Ecosystems
Country
Duration
Months Available
Peru
8–15 days
Jan, Mar, Aug, Sep, Nov, Dec
Brazil
12 days
Jul, Oct, Nov
$3,175/£1,875
South Africa
12 days
Jan, Jul, Sep, Oct, Dec
$3,095/£1,975
1
Amazon Riverboat Exploration
2
Blazing the Biodiversity Trail in Brazil
3
Conserving Leopards and Monkeys in South Africa
4
Puerto Rico’s Rainforest
5
South Africa’s Scavenger Species
6
Thinking Like an Elephant in Thailand
7
Tracking Costa Rica’s Mammals
8
Wildlife of the Mongolian Steppe
Mongolia
From
$2,795/£1,775
USA
10 days
Jun, Jul, Dec
$2,250/£1,425
South Africa
12 days
Jan, May, Jul, Aug, Oct, Nov
$3,950/£2,495
Thailand
10 days
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
$3,495/£2,225
Costa Rica
10 days
Jun, Jul, Aug
$2,925/£1,850
14 days
May, Jun, Aug, Sep
$3,450/£2,195
Costa Rica
9 days
Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
$1,975/£1,250
Belize
8 days
Jan, Jun, Jul
$2,995/£1,895
$2,995/£1,895
Ocean Health
9
Safeguarding Whales and Dolphins in Costa Rica
10
Shark Conservation in Belize
11
Snorkeling to Protect Reefs in the Bahamas
The Bahamas
10 days
Mar, Jun, Jul
12
Swimming with Sea Turtles in the Bahamas
The Bahamas
10 days
Feb, Apr, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
$2,995/£1,895
13
Whales and Dolphins Under the California Sun
USA
3–14 days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul
$2,875/£1,825
Climate Change
14
Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge
15
Exploring an Active Volcano in Nicaragua
Canada
11 days
Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
$3,925/£2,495
Nicaragua
7–14 days
Feb, Mar
$2,650/£1,675
Archaeology & Culture
16
Excavating the Roman Empire in Britian
England
3–14 days
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
$1,775/£1,125
17
Origins of Angkor
Thailand
7–14 days
Jan, Feb
$2,095/£1,325
18
Unearthing Ancient History in Tuscany
Italy
7–13 days
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
$2,425/£1,550
19
Uncovering the Mysteries of Ancient Colorado
USA
7–14 days
Jul, Aug, Sep
$2,425/£1,550
Expedition contributions, dates, durations, and scientists are subject to change. Please see the website for the most up-to-date information.
For more information, visit earthwatch.org or call (800) 776-0188.