Discover, Plan & Go!

The project aims to keep accurate life history records for each animal in the population with the help of mark-identification sheets. Earthwatch volunteers will help to record births, deaths, pregnancies, the onset and conclusion of lactation and estrus, changes in dominance status and even short-term absence from a group, all of which are regarded as important data.

You will spend many hours in the field each day. Conditions in the Kalahari can range from very hot to icy cold, and while the meerkats are also not too fond of extreme temperatures, they do have to forage. A minimum of three hours every morning and an hour and a half in the evenings is spent walking in the field. Volunteers should expect to spend long periods of time on foot, and it is not unusual to have to run after groups when they have interactions with their neighbors. It is therefore very important that Earthwatch volunteers be able to move swiftly over hilly and sandy terrain, as keeping up with the meerkats to collect data is of top priority. Meerkats also move through fences, meaning you will sometimes have to quickly climb over them to keep up!

Free days and evenings can be spent savoring the sights and sounds of the Kalahari bush. Among the project staff are several keen naturalists who will no doubt be happy to share their knowledge of the local fauna. Researchers may also join volunteers on night-drives or starlight-walks, to provide an introduction to the mysterious and fantastic creatures that characterize a Kalahari night.

As an Eons member, you'll get a free, 1 year membership to Earthwatch — a $35 value — when you sign up on any expedition. And members pay $100 less on their expedition contribution — so you save $135! Just put code EONS2007 in the comment field on the signup form, or, if you call, tell the Expedition Coordinator that you found us on Eons.

Earthwatch expedition-related costs may be tax-deductible in the US as volunteer expenses. Please check with your tax adviser.