Third year BSc Zoology students from the University of Roehampton have returned from a 14-day field trip to northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The visit, run in partnership with African Insight Academy, offered students a unique, hands-on opportunity to engage with conservation efforts on the ground.
Throughout the trip, students took part in a range of field activities including wildlife tracking and monitoring, game counts, setting up camera traps, and learning traditional fishing techniques.
A central theme of the trip was elephant conservation and the complex process of translocation, giving students real insight into one of Africa’s most pressing conservation challenges.
Other experiences included a visit to a commercial hunting farm and butcher, which opened up important discussions around the controversial role of hunting in conservation.
Students also visited a rhino orphanage where they explored the option of dehorning rhinos as a desperate measure to protect these critically endangered animals from poaching.
The trip wasn’t just about wildlife. Students also spent two days living with a Zulu family in a remote village. This cultural exchange allowed them to meet local leaders, including the Nkosi and Nduna, and engage with traditional healers known as Sangomas.
Dr Cecile Reed, Programme Lead for BSc Zoology, said: "This trip gives students not only a deeper understanding of the realities of conservation on the ground, but also a rare opportunity to connect with communities and see how people and wildlife live side by side. It’s often a life-changing experience."
The University of Roehampton is proud to offer its students such enriching fieldwork opportunities that bring academic study to life and prepare them for careers in global conservation.
d