Celebrating my 21st Birthday with an Internship at CCF

When I decided to travel to Namibia for my summer break from university, I had no idea what to expect. I joined the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) as an intern in early June, eager to take on anything that would be thrown at me. I felt prepared for this type of work; my upbringing, university courses, and previous internships have helped me practice the skills I have applied to my tasks with the ecology team and beyond.

I grew up in the United States; more specifically, Washington State. Even though I lived in the city, I have always been close with nature. The stunning and rugged alpine trails of the Pacific Northwest and the natural mystique of the Puget Sound were only a short drive away. I now attend Claremont McKenna College in California, where I am an incoming senior. I have taken courses in ornithology, animal behavior, tropical ecology, field biology, and other related subjects as I pursue my undergraduate degree in biology. Last summer, I worked as an intern in the high-elevation Andean páramo ecosystem in Ecuador. I spent countless hours on hiking trails, taking photos and jotting notes. I compiled my photography and information about the area into educational signs posted on the trails and a field guide to the plants and animals of the region. I arrived at CCF well-prepared and excited to join the ecology team.

When I learned about general week, I’ll admit I wasn’t exactly thrilled. Every intern begins their time at CCF by joining different departments and viewing the organization from many perspectives. I wanted to get right to work with ecology, and I felt like I was missing out. At that moment, I didn’t love washing dishes or cutting meat, but looking back, I have a strong appreciation for the importance of the general week. I’m so glad I was able to experience all of CCF’s departments, learn about every individual part of the operation, and gain skills in many distinct fields.

When I finally did join the ecology team, I felt welcomed by everyone. I loved the excitement and enthusiasm about our upcoming projects. We got right to work servicing camera traps and looking through the images, something that has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the job. It wasn’t long before my desk was metaphorically (and literally) covered in tasks and projects for me to complete. From constructing a field guide on the birdlife of the area, to creating a presentation for local farmers on the importance of biodiversity, to my main project identifying bird calls from hundreds of recordings at the Vanier plots in the reserve, I’ve enjoyed every single one of them. I feel fortunate to have been able to spend so much time in the field working on trail cameras, vegetation sampling, and the monthly, seasonal, and annual game counts. It has allowed me to see so much of CCF’s various properties and encounter animals I never would have otherwise seen. CCF’s flexibility with interns has been incredible; they have allowed me to share my passion for the natural world with others by adding a little bit of tour guiding into my already busy schedule.

Taking a wild pangolin for a foraging walk, photographing the release of a puff adder snake, and assisting with a cheetah workup are just a few of the unique experiences that CCF has provided me. Of course, the cherry on top was being able to watch and film the release of three wild cheetahs into the reserve. At CCF, I’ve learned countless invaluable skills in teamwork, time management, work efficiency, and leadership. I know that the skills I have gathered during my time at CCF will help prepare me for my future in the field of biology and far beyond.

During my time in Namibia, I was lucky enough to travel with friends and visit other parts of the country. On the coast, we kayaked with fur seals, drove on the sand dunes, and took photos of the incredible vistas of Sandwich Harbor. In Etosha National Park, we took game drives and hung out at waterholes, photographing enthralling species like elephants, rhinos, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards in their natural habitat. At CCF, I celebrated my 21st birthday, enjoyed many sundowners and night drives, and made friends that will last a lifetime. Thanks to all of this and more, my experience at CCF has truly been a unique and special time. I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I know that the memories from my time in Namibia will be with me forever.