Words and Photography by Matthew Blair.
Earlier this year in September I spent a month filming a natural history documentary in Liuwa National Park, Zambia. On this particular production we worked very closely with the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP) that is based out of Matamanene Camp in the heart of the park. During the assignment I got to spend sometime filming behind the scenes of a planned collaring and snare removal exercise to be carried out by the ZCP team. For this, I spent a full day with Bridget Mayani and Sandra Martens in the back seat of the Land Rover Puma where I was tossed around like a hamster in a washing machine, bouncing over the famous Liuwa ruts and deep Kalahari sands, that Sandra naturally manoeuvred through as though it was second nature, and keeping a watchful eye out for any hyena. Bridget, oblivious to the bouncing and somehow not needing to hold on for dear life (unlike me in the back seat) expertly handled the telemetry set to track down the hyena we were looking for, all the while playing a game of ‘100 Questions’. In between the excitement, we had moment of calm where I got to ask them a few questions about being a carnivore researcher out on the Liuwa Plains of Zambia.
How long have you been with ZCP, and been in Liuwa? What is your official current role?
Bridget: “I have been in Liuwa and with ZCP for 1year , 2 months now. I am a Senior Field Ecologist and a Conversation Education Coordinator.”
Sandra: “I’ve been working for ZCP and in Liuwa for almost 4 years. Since February 2017. I think my contract states I’m Senior field ecologist.”
How did you fall into this line of work?
Bridget: “My passion for nature led me into pursuing a BSc in Wildlife Management at the Copperbelt University. After graduation I worked with an Environmental organization. I later became a PhD Research Assistant through my University and I was then recommended for this work by my former Lecturer.”
Sandra: “I was always passionate about conservation, even before knowing that it was actually a line of work. I studied wildlife management and came to Zambia for internships twice. After finishing my last internship, there was a (dream) job opening at ZCP and so I moved to Liuwa.”
Tell me about a typical day for you out in Liuwa?
Bridget: “Typical day for me in Liuwa; waking up before sunrise to go in the field on a motor bike or vehicle, collect data on large carnivores and their prey species and head back to camp, identify individual carnivores, enter data in the database and head back in the field again few hours before sunset to collect more data and/or conduct night hunt follows; we leave camp late afternoon to follow carnivores as they hunt and come back to camp in the morning.”
Sandra: “I guess a typical day would be: leave camp before sunrise by motorbike or vehicle and search for carnivores (spotted hyena, cheetah and/or lions) or wildebeest and collect data on their spatial patterns, (hunting)behaviour, survival, reproduction and demography. Usually we try to find as many carnivores/wildebeest and cover as much ground as possible. Unless anything out of the ordinary happens (which can be quite a few things) we then return to camp for lunch and spend the early afternoon doing office work (identifying carnivores seen, processing datasheets, entering data, admin, etc.). Then in the afternoon we typically go out in the field again for data collection until after sunset.”
What are your strengths as a member of the ZCP team?
Bridget: “My strengths: Organization is my biggest strength and I am a team player with good interpersonal skills and great multitasking skills.”
Sandra: “Ok so strengths: I’m passionate, driven and hard working and I motivate others to be the same. I also try to keep the work fun for everyone by building in conversation and laughter. Oh and I know a lot of hyenas so I can help everyone with the difficult sightings.”
What advice would you have given your younger self when considering this as a career?
Bridget: “Wildlife Management is not only for men, It’s a career for women too and as long as you have a passion for it then go for it. It’s diverse with lots of great opportunities for you to excel greatly.”
Sandra: “My advice would have been: don’t try to be someone you’re not and don’t let anyone tell you you’re not good enough. Focus on who you are and what you can do. Do you and you will learn and make a difference.”
What advice would you give your future self?
Bridget: “Advice to future me: Continue working towards your goals of raising conservation efforts to the top in your country and the world at large. The future looks promising.”
Sandra: “Future self, keep fighting the fight, even though it’s exhausting and frustrating sometimes. Be patient, be kind, know that you’re capable of more than you allow yourself to think and trust that everything will be ok.”
To learn more about the Zambian Carnivore Programme please visit the link below:
You might also like
