Conservation Biology of Terrestrial Megafauna

DATES:
December 28, 2009 - January 14, 2010

Participants should plan to leave the US on December 27th in order to arrive on site for the first day of the program on December 28th.

COST: $4,895 Airfare is NOT included.

This program can only take 10 participants, so apply now to save your spot!

HOUSING: Tented camp safaris, lodges, Fairview hotel.

CREDITS: Biology 435, Environmental Public Policy 490, and New Century College Experiential Learning 395

CONTACT: Erin Mateu (703) 993-3864

This winter break see Africa’s megafauna while on safari to study wildlife conservation! Due to the sensitive nature of the region, this group's size will be limited, so we suggest you submit an application online sooner rather than later. People have already started applying!...

An engaging exploration of Kenya's vast and diverse ecosystems, this course will put you in close proximity to some incredible and charismatic wildlife.

View KENYA: Conservation Biology of Terrestrial Megafauna larger map

Participants will have an incredible experience viewing wildlife, while learning about current challenges facing terrestrial megafauna that include the classic big five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhino).  We will accomplish this by visiting multiple national parks, meeting key conservation biologists, and being introduced to a wide range of current wildlife management issues. Here is a list of some of the places we will go:

Masai Mara Game Reserve 
Amboseli National Park 
Aberdares National Park 
Lake Nakuru National Park 
Lake Baringo and Bogoria 
Nairobi National Park 
Mpala Research Centre 
Soysambu Conservancy 

At both the applied and academic level, topics will include the conservation biology and behavior of species, landscapes and the conservation of protected and non-protected areas, human-wildlife conflicts, and the complexities of community-level interactions.

Program Developed and led by Faculty Director Ryan Valdez:

Ryan Valdez is a research fellow at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park and a Ph.D. candidate at George Mason University. He is studying landscape-ecology as it applies to predator and herbivore recovery in savanna ecosystems of Kenya.  Ryan has worked with the Conservation & Science division of the National Zoo for the past 10 years in exhibit, education, and research capacities, as well as managing a geospatial science program for the Amazon region.  Prior to the Smithsonian, Ryan spent much of his time in the field studying wolves, ocelot, and sea turtles, among other species of wildlife.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and a Masters degree from Yale University.

*CGE reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.