Intern Story – Highlights of a Long-term Internship

I grew up Victoria falls, Zimbabwe, where I developed a deep passion for ecology. This passion has led me to this wonderful place called Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). Being an intern here has been the most awesome time of my life. I have been welcomed and supported by a group of loving people who are completely invested in the work of saving the cheetah. CCF staff have made me feel at home in their centre and the surrounding natural environment is spectacular. CCF’s vision, ‘ we see a world in which cheetahs live and flourish in co-existence with people and the environment’, has given me insight on why my internship is crucial and given me a glimpse at my future as a conservationist.

I love the field ecology work. Nothing is more amazing than being part of the monthly game counts in the little Serengeti of CCF’s reserve called Big Field. From these counts I got my nickname ‘Elf eye’, because I can spot the wild animals in the most camouflaged hide-outs. I feel like I was born to do this.

There are many other activities I do as an ecology intern. These include camera trapping, calculating animal densities and updating game count graphs. Game counts are important as they help us know how much of the cheetah prey base is available in the reserve.

I am currently working on a project, on the occupancy modelling of carnivores in the Great Waterberg Landscape (GWL). This study also serves to determine the density and human-carnivore conflicts across the GWL.

I have learned from the best supervisors here at CCF. If you have a passion for wildlife in this short lifetime then CCF is the place for you!