Day 2 onwards
Your field study topics will vary according to personal interest, length of stay and resources available. We will give you a full induction and/or guidance on some simple research methods and skills ; asistance in identifying a topic to study if needed; regular observational field visits into our surrounding environment; support and help from our highly experienced field staff and access to our laboratory and library resources.

Choose from one or more of the following activities:

1. Elephant Research

• Monitoring & identification of different tree/shrub species in a given area
  
• Calculating the number/density of trees with 5cm diameter trunks at breast height (1m)
  
• Monitoring the consumption and browsing patterns on trees/shrubs by elephants
  
• Elephant dung count studies aimed at calculating elephant numbers/density
  
• GIS mapping of conflict hot-spots
  
• Running questionnaires

2. Lion Research

• Space-use patterns
  
• Interactions
  
• Food habits
  
• Habitat
  
• Social context
  
• Proximity of water
  
• Proximity and abundance of native prey and livestock
  
• Daily and annual routines and cycles of lions
  
• Response to the extreme climatic conditions of this region
  
• In addition to observing lions and their sign (especially tracks), faeces and hair samples are collected for hormonal and genetic analysis.

3. Entomology Research
Participation in an ongoing survey to:

a) establish a detailed inventory and database

b) train local "outreach wildlife officers" in observing, collecting, labeling and preparing arthropods. Seasonal surveys enhance knowledge of the seasonal fluctuations of different species of invertebrates.

c) Systematically collect all groups of arthropods/insects, with the main focus on:

• Lepidoptera
  
• Odonata
  
• Coleoptera
  
• Hymenoptera
  
• Diptera
  
• Spiders
  
• Millipedes

4. Waterhole usage monitoring
Data collection:

• Name and number of wildlife species
  
• Sighting times
  
• Arrival departure times
  
• Number of females, juveniles and adult males in a group.
  
• Number, size and structure of other groups & group associations
  
• Presence and identity of fresh dung and tracks.
  
• Plant diversity and abundance studies.
  
• Plant biomass studies
  
• Degree of vegetation utilization by Elephants etc

Final Day: Depart
You say farewell to the Taita Discovery Centre and the team and are transferred to catch the 11am departure Varan Bus to Nairobi, which drops you off at JKIA Airport.

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