A group of 10 students and two staff recently returned from Botswana following a two-week Zoology study tour.

During their stay the group collected data for different research projects and visited Nxai Pans, Baines Baobabs, Moremi Game Reserve, the Okavango Delta, and both the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers.

The team was accompanied by UNE’s Dr Paul McDonald and Dr Graham Hall. It collected data monitoring changes in mammal, bird and termite diversity across different regions, developed individual identification schemes based on photos, collected detailed behavioural data on anti-predator avoidance strategies used by herds, and also sampled nocturnal animals in the area using camera traps and audio recordings.

In all, 35 mammal and 233 bird species were detected during the tour, including 18 species currently listed as threatened, such as the endangered African Hunting Dog and two critically endangered vulture species.

Other highlights included being mock-charged by an elephant, seeing lions cooperatively hunting impala, a honey badger visiting camp one night, and a leopard feeding on her recent kill.

In addition to the wildlife, students were also able to visit the iconic Victoria Falls, and spent an evening learning of the local culture while sampling local food and attempting to master traditional dances.

This is just one of the several overseas study opportunities that UNE currently provides to help our graduates complete a unique educational experience.