Wildlife, Bones, and History in Zambia

Expedition Briefing

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The Research

Zambia is well known for its populations of endangered carnivores, variety of wildlife, and preserved natural areas. Scientists and conservationists have been working on the ground to safeguard Zambia’s animals and ecosystems in the face of pollution, poaching, and land degradation. These efforts are becoming increasingly urgent as the climate crisis further threatens the country’s biodiversity by increasing the severity and unpredictability of Zambia's flooding, droughts, and seasonality (Hamadudu & Ngoma, 2019). To understand how to best manage these impacts in the future, we’re looking to the past to learn how climatic changes affect species distribution and survival.

On this project, you’ll work alongside an expert team of scientists to combine bone and live-animal surveys to explore how climate and mammalian communities are preserved and have changed over time in the Luangwa River Valley. By conducting surveys to document the bones of recently deceased animals, researchers will be able to study what taphonomic processes (the processes that affect animal and plant remains as they become fossils, like burial, decay, and preservation) are at play in present-day bone assemblages, allowing them to better interpret the fossil record (Behrensmeyer, Western, & Dechant Boaz, 1979).

Live animal surveys are one of the most accurate and cost-effective ways to estimate population sizes and assess climate change's influence on a given species' population (Schuette et al., 2018). By systematically assessing the species in the park and their numbers and locations, researchers can accurately assess the park’s current mammal communities and how current environmental conditions influence those populations.

These approaches will provide powerful tools for identifying changes in community structure, species richness, habitat utilization and diet, and predator-prey interactions over extended time scales (Dietl et al., 2014). This long-term approach to analyzing the wildlife communities of South Luangwa National Park will give us invaluable insights into the past and help us plan for conserving biodiversity in the future.

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How You Will Help

Earthwatch participants are critical for our project to meet our field research goals. You become trained in survey methods, identification of living animals and skeletal elements, and actively participate in collecting data across the expansive landscape of the South Luangwa National Park. Without your partnership, our team could not effectively sample many habitat types through time as the Luangwa River ebbs and flows. Your work is integral to the effectiveness of our scientific methods and the broad dissemination of the work to the academic and conservation communities.

When you first arrive at camp, you’ll receive an orientation and intensive training on research methods, and during the days that follow, you’ll work in small teams or pairs on the following tasks:

Bone Surveys

As a group accompanied by the researchers and an armed scout, you’ll walk transect paths in various habitat types to search for bones from recently deceased animals. For any bones you find, you’ll record the bone’s GPS coordinates, taxon, age, weathering stage, breakage, tooth marks, and degree of burial.

Wildlife Surveys

You’ll travel the park roads from a safari vehicle to survey wild animal populations. You may spot impalas, pukus, buffalo, waterbucks, the endangered Thornicroft’s giraffe, hippos, elephants, and even leopards, lions, or wild dogs. For each sighting, you’ll record the time, GPS location, distance from the vehicle, and taxonomic identification of the animal.

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Accommodations and Food

* Please note that not every expedition has couples or single accommodations available. Please call or email Earthwatch to check availability before reserving your space(s) on the team.

SLEEPING

Volunteers will stay at the Marula Lodge within a few minutes’ drive from the South Luangwa National Park entrance. The lodge sits along the Luangwa River and is fully immersed in the local wildlife. You’ll fall asleep each night to an orchestra of nature’s sounds, from the swimming hippos to the swinging baboons (earplugs recommended for lighter sleepers).

Volunteers will be housed in semi-permanent canvas tents, with each tent holding two single beds with mosquito netting, two type G electrical outlets, a fan, and one small bedside table. Mattress, bedding, and towels are provided. Volunteers of the same gender will be assigned two people per tent. Couples may be able to be accommodated but must inform Earthwatch of their request in advance. Tents available for couples will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteers must bring their toiletries (except for hand soap) and their own torches/ flashlights (a headlamp/torch is best). Please see the packing list for more details about what to bring with you.

* Earthwatch will honor each person’s assertion of gender identity respectfully and without judgment. For both teen and adult teams, where logistics dictate single-sex accommodations or other facilities, participant placements will be made in accordance with the gender identity the participant specified on their Earthwatch Participant form and/or preferences indicated in discussions with Earthwatch.

BATHROOMS

The bathroom facilities at the Marula Lodge are located outside behind the tents. There are four bathrooms, each with a toilet, sink, and shower. Each bathroom is enclosed on the sides for privacy but is open to the sky (and monkeys) above. Each bathroom enclosure has a shower and toilet, but these are not assigned to gender. Bathroom facilities have flush toilets and hot water, and it is strongly recommended to use sturdy shower shoes as the concrete floors can be slippery. If you need to use the bathroom after dark, you must signal the lodge watch guard to accompany you from your tent to the bathroom. This is very important as the lodge is not gated, and wildlife may be present.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity is available 24 hours a day at the Marula Lodge. Each tent is equipped with two type G outlets with a voltage of 220V. Electricity can sporadically go out throughout Mfuwe. However, the Marula Lodge has a backup generator. There will be on-site refrigeration at the lodge, but there are limits to the quantity that can be stored.

PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Generally, communication with the outside world from the lodge is difficult. Wi-Fi is currently not available at Marula Lodge and may not be accessible. When you transit through the airport in Lusaka, you might consider acquiring a Zambian SIM card for your phone and purchasing data. Some American cell providers also have international data options for purchase; most seem to provide LTE access in the Mfuwe town center but less reliably at the lodge. Contact your provider to learn more about what may or may not work for you.

Please note: Personal communication with outsiders is not always possible while participating in an expedition. Earthwatch encourages volunteers to minimize outgoing calls and immerse themselves in the experience; likewise, family and friends should restrict calls to urgent messages only.

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES

Laundry service is available at the Marula Lodge for about USD 10 a bag.

The Marula Lodge has a small swimming pool. Volunteers may use the pool during daytime downtime. Swimming alone, at night, or after drinking is not permitted.

DISTANCE TO FIELD SITE

The transects will typically be anywhere from 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from the lodge. It can take about 30 minutes to 2 hours to get from the lodge to a transect as the driver must move slowly over the unpaved roads.

FOOD AND WATER

All teams will have dedicated cooking staff that will prepare all meals. Breakfast and dinner will be served at the lodge accommodations. Lunch will be packed and eaten in the field each day. All dishwashing and kitchen cleaning will be the responsibility of the lodge staff.

Tap water is not safe for drinking. Filtered water will be provided at the lodge. Please bring reusable water bottles and/or a backpack with a water bladder insert of 1–3 liters.

The following are examples of foods you may be fed in the field. Variety depends on availability. We appreciate your flexibility.

TYPICAL MEALS

• Breakfast: tea, coffee, juice, fresh fruit, peanut butter, jam, toast, and/or cereal
• Lunch: Bag lunches will be prepared for daily fieldwork, often including sandwiches, quiches, boiled eggs, potato salad, pasta, bread, fruit, and other snacks (e.g., chips and nuts).
• Dinner: Dinners are substantial and will vary (e.g., potatoes, grilled meats, pasta, nshima/cornmeal, rice, fish, and bean dishes)
• Beverages: water, tea, coffee
• Morning/Afternoon Tea Breaks:tea, coffee, biscuits/cookies, alcoholic drinks, and sodas available for purchase at the lodge bar

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS 

Please alert Earthwatch to any special dietary requirements (e.g., diabetes, lactose intolerance, nut, other food allergies, vegetarian or vegan diets) as soon as possible and note them in the space on your participant forms.

The lodge can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, and Lactose-free diets, though a combination of several may limit options.

Severe peanut allergies cannot be accommodated, as peanuts/ground nuts are commonly used in the local cuisine. Though peanuts may not be in every dish, all meals will be prepared in a kitchen exposed to peanuts.

Gluten is very prevalent and difficult to avoid in Zambian cuisine. It is not possible to prepare meals without some exposure to gluten products. Someone gluten-free by choice could still join if they are flexible with more minimal choices/bring supplemental snacks. It is possible to store items in the lodge fridges.

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Essential Eligibility Requirements

All participants must be able to:

• Be 18 years or older at the time of the expedition.
• Provide your passport number and nationality to Earthwatch by April 30, 2025, which will be included in the research permit to enter the National Park.
• Comfortably traverse up to 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) per day over potentially sandy, rocky, and vegetated terrain (while looking around for bones) without significant fatigue for eight days. Transect walking begins in the early morning and is generally completed by mid-day. It typically takes about four hours per day to complete.
• Get low enough to the ground to see potentially small bone fragments comfortably and to carry out activities related to collecting specimens.
• Regularly get oneself up and down from the ground during bone collection tasks for up to four hours a day, can potentially cause strain on the neck, back, and knees. 
• Be comfortable searching under strong sunlight for wildlife and bones for several hours at a time.
• See clearly (with corrective lenses is fine) up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) and close up to read the instruments used during the project.
• Get up into and down out of project vehicles unassisted. Steps to enter and exit vehicles are 0.6 meters (2 feet) off the ground.
• Sit or ride in project vehicles (4x4 safari trucks) near other team members while traveling over rough, bumpy roads for approximately one to four hours daily.
• Take immediate evasive action in the event of an animal encounter, e.g., by moving quickly. Those unable to complete the transects without difficulty or take evasive action can endanger themselves, their teammates, the field scouts, and the animals.
• Hear well naturally or with a hearing aid to follow instructions in the field, particularly in the event of an emergency.
• Enjoy being outdoors working in the sun and the potential presence of wild and sometimes dangerous animals, snakes, and insects.
• Be comfortable falling asleep at night to the loud sounds of surrounding wildlife, especially hippos, at an ungated lodge.
• Independently follow and immediately comply with project/park staff and field guide instructions, whether verbal or visual. Work comfortably alongside armed park scouts. Weapons are for your protection, and scouts are well-trained in their use. Volunteers are NOT permitted to handle weapons at any time.
• Carry personal daily supplies, including at least two to three liters of water and some small field equipment (e.g., GPS unit, compass, binoculars, clipboard).
• Search for wildlife while moving in a single file, 2 meters/6 feet or less behind the guide, over rough, uneven, sometimes sandy, or rocky terrain with areas of dense, thorny vegetation while steering clear of obstacles and animal holes.
• Keep as quiet as possible while walking and working in the park.
• Follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion.
• Take an active role in your safety by recognizing and avoiding hazards if and when they arise (including, but not limited to, those described in Earthwatch materials and safety briefings). Always comply with project staff instructions and recommended safety measures.
• Effectively communicate to the staff if you are experiencing distress or need assistance.
• Get along with a variety of people from different backgrounds and ages, often in close proximity, for the duration of your team.
• Be comfortable surrounded by a language and/or culture different from yours.

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Project Risks and Precautions

TRANSPORTATION

Roads may be corrugated, dirt or gravel, and very bumpy and dusty. Thorny brush can lead to tire punctures and/or scratches while driving past. Other road hazards in Zambia include fast and reckless drivers, livestock and wildlife, poor or no lighting, and banditry. Traffic moves on the left side of the road. Project vehicles used in the field are game-viewing 4x4 trucks with open, tiered bench seating. Volunteers will be exposed to the elements during drives. You should, therefore, bring appropriate clothing, including eye protection (such as sunglasses) and warm, wind-proof clothing for the mornings when being driven to the start of transects (this clothing can be left in the vehicle when you disembark). Volunteers are not permitted to drive. Volunteers should remain quiet and not move around on the back of the vehicle when potentially dangerous animals are seen while driving. Volunteers should only get out of the vehicle when the driver confirms it’s safe to disembark and ensure both hands are free to use the handrail when stepping into and out of the vehicle, as the step is 0.6 meters (2 feet) off the ground.

HIKING

Most areas where we will be doing walking transects and surveys are relatively flat, but the terrain can be rocky, sandy, thickly vegetated, or muddy. It is important to walk slowly and carefully, be constantly aware of your surroundings, and watch for uneven terrain, animal dens, and other holes that may not be immediately visible under grass. Teams will walk in a single file or in close proximity behind the guard when deemed necessary. Exhaustion and injuries such as scratches, sprains, and broken bones are possible. High-quality, well-worn (NOT NEW) hiking boots with ankle support and socks should be worn to avoid blisters and other injuries. Appropriate clothing (e.g., long sturdy trousers that won’t rip easily in vegetation, a hat, etc.) should be worn during fieldwork.

ANIMALS

There is a range of large and potentially dangerous animals, including hippos, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, and various snakes. Any wild animal is potentially dangerous if provoked. Never approach, antagonize, or tease any animal. During research tasks, well-trained and experienced armed field scouts will be in the field with volunteers to reduce the potential risks associated with encountering wild animals. After dark at the accommodations, night watch guards accompany people between buildings, bathrooms, and tents. It is of the utmost importance to obey the orders of the scouts and watchguards in the case of an animal encounter. When walking in the bush with armed scouts, volunteers should walk in a single file and always be within the eyesight of the scout. They should not linger behind but always stay within a meter or two of the team. During transects near the river, participants should remain more than 10 feet away from the river’s edge, where crocodiles often wait for unwary prey. Volunteers will be trained on how to behave in the field and avoid incidents with wildlife. The best rule is to keep your eyes open, pay attention, and be aware of your surroundings. The guards are instructed to avoid close encounters with wildlife, but they can still happen. Participants must be able to move quickly if the team gets too close to animals like buffalo, hippo, or elephant. Volunteers should never leave the lodge perimeter on foot nor approach wildlife that may enter the lodge premises at any time.

SNAKES

A range of venomous snakes are present in the area, especially puff adders and spitting cobras. Volunteers should stick to paths whenever possible and must not attempt to pick up, catch, approach, and/or provoke any snakes. Ankle-high, closed-toe hiking boots should be worn for protection while walking transects. Training in snakebite prevention and what to do in the event of an incident will be given before fieldwork. Anti-venom is not held at the camp, as most hospitals prefer to treat the symptoms rather than take the risk that the snake has not been identified correctly. In the rare event that a team member is bitten, they will be immediately taken to the local clinic. Additional dangerous Zambian snakes include the Gaboon Adder, Bibron's Stiletto Snake, Banded Water Cobra, Forest Cobra, Common Boomslang, Southern Twig Snake, and Forest Twig Snake.

INSECTS

Biting insects (e.g., ants, spiders, flies, centipedes, and mosquitoes) and stinging insects (e.g., scorpions, bees, and wasps) are present in the field areas. Care should be taken to prevent insect bites/stings, and volunteers with the potential for allergic reactions should bring medication (antihistamines*, at least FOUR Epi-Kits, etc.) as appropriate. Ticks, which are very small and can transmit tick bite fever, may also be present. To minimize risk, bring and use insect repellent, check your body daily for ticks, and wear proper neutral-colored field attire, including long pants tucked into socks. Thin, long-sleeved shirts are also recommended. Ticks that are latched onto the skin should be removed with tweezers.

*Benadryl is illegal in Zambia; consult your doctor as needed to find an alternative to bring

CLIMATE/WEATHER

Heatstroke, heat exhaustion, sunburn, and dehydration are possible when working in the sun. Appropriate clothing (including a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves/trousers, and sunglasses) and high-factor sunscreen are essential. Each volunteer should carry at least two to three liters of water into the field in a closed container and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Inform a staff member right away if you are feeling tired or ill. Exposure to wind/cold, especially during early morning drives, may cause chills, windburn, or overexposure, so bring layers. Participants will often be exposed to the sun for long periods. Although it is usually cool at the start of the transect, it can be up to 35°C/95°F by the end, so you must be prepared for the sun, stay hydrated, and be able to continue walking when hot. Transect work will not occur during the hottest time, 2:00–4:00 p.m. Wildfires are possible. In the event of a fire, team members will be removed from any areas of danger and must always follow staff and field ranger instructions.

PLANTS

Entering and exiting some transect locations, one may experience scratches on the legs and arms from vegetation. Staff will aid in the identification of potentially harmful plants. Wearing long trousers and sleeves can help protect against scratches. You need to keep your eyes open to avoid walking into these and causing injury. Antiseptic and plasters and/or bandages will be available. Some plants may also cause allergic reactions. If you have any known allergies, please inform Earthwatch and the research staff, and bring medication (antihistamines*, at least FOUR Epi-Kits, etc.) as appropriate. Even those without known plant allergies may have reactions, so you may wish to bring antihistamines. If you have allergies to antihistamines or other medications, again, please make sure you inform Earthwatch and the research staff.

*Benadryl is illegal in Zambia; consult your doctor as needed to find an alternative to bring

PROJECT TASKS/EQUIPMENT

Eye irritation/infection. Searching for bones in the sun and driving along unpaved roads (stirring up dust and grit) can cause eye infections or discomfort. Eyeglasses, sunglasses, or safety goggles should be worn while in the field to help protect from the elements, and instruction will be given regarding keeping eyes safe.

Injury from tools. Volunteers will be instructed in the correct use and safe storage of tools. Staff will supervise the use of tools, and volunteers must listen carefully to instructions.

WEAPONS

Field scouts will carry heavy caliber weapons for your protection. The scouts are well-trained in the safety and firing of these weapons. Volunteers will NOT handle the weapons at any time.

PERSONAL SECURITY

Volunteers should always heed lodge and Park policies. Particularly when outside the park, on the roads, and in towns, there is a risk of hijacking and mugging. Being alert and keeping valuable items, such as cameras, binoculars, and jewelry, out of sight can reduce this risk. Use sensible precautions, particularly when traveling in urban areas: avoid carrying money conspicuously (e.g., in bulging wallets or bum-bags/fanny packs); avoid walking alone, especially at night whenever possible and ignore persons who approach to solicit for donations; avoid wearing jewelry, “tourist outfits” such as safari shorts, jackets, cameras, and binoculars, and very short skirts or shorts, tank tops, etc. (more conservative clothing is recommended); always take a taxi when going out after dark; and select and use ATMs with caution. It is always wise to leave unnecessary valuables at home.

SWIMMING

There is a swimming pool at the lodge accommodations. There will be opportunities during downtime to use the pool. Please note that no lifeguard is on duty, so volunteers swim at their own risk. Always notify a staff member when you will be swimming, and never swim alone, at night, or after consuming alcohol. Do NOT go swimming or wading in any of the natural water bodies in the area due to the risk of drowning, crocodiles, and hippos.

DISTANCE FROM MEDICAL CARE

The nearest hospital is a clinic in Mfuwe located 50 km from the project site, and it may take up to 1–2 hours to arrange transport and reach the hospital. The nearest fully equipped hospital is 130 km and may take 2–3 hours to arrange transport to reach. If you have a chronic condition that could require immediate medical care (e.g., heart conditions, kidney problems, severe asthma, etc.), or if you are pregnant, please discuss your participation on this expedition with your physician.

DISEASE

Traveler’s diarrhea affects many international travelers.

Diseases found in Zambia include Malaria, chikungunya, plague, African sleeping sickness, cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis, hepatitis, measles, hemorrhagic fevers, and rabies. Please see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) or the World Health Organization (who.int)websites for more information on these conditions and how to avoid them.

Avoiding mosquito bites, practicing good hygiene, and drinking only bottled or filtered water when appropriate can decrease your risk of many diseases.

If you feel ill after returning from your trip, inform your doctor that you have recently returned from a tropical region.

• Malaria: Chloroquine-resistant malaria is present in this region and elsewhere in Zambia, even during the dry season. Speak with your doctor about appropriate prophylaxis. Be aware that some medications may increase your sensitivity to sun and heat.
• Rabies: Vaccinations are not compulsory for this expedition, as volunteers will not handle any rabies-carrying wildlife as part of their assignments. However, volunteers may wish to consult with their healthcare providers about the rabies vaccine, given the regional prevalence of loose and stray dogs. Team members should always avoid stray dogs. The rabies pre-exposure vaccination consists of three doses over 28 days. Please consult your physician or travel health clinic well in advance to ensure you have time for the full vaccination series. If you have previously been vaccinated, a medical professional must check your antibody levels; a booster shot may be required. Rabies is a fatal disease. Treatment after rabies exposure requires immediate care (within 24 hours), and this type of rapid response may not be available to volunteers on this project due to the remote locations. Pre-exposure vaccination does not eliminate the need for post-exposure medical attention and treatment. Still, it does provide additional protection against the disease in the event of a delay in treatment. In addition, any bites or scratches should be immediately and thoroughly washed with soap, clean water, and a topical povidone-iodine solution or ethanol.

COVID-19 DISEASE RISKS 

COVID-19 remains an evolving risk to communities and individuals around the world.

Earthwatch strongly encourages you to stay up to date with your vaccinations, including receiving booster doses if available, and to continue to limit your exposure before your program, such as wearing a mask during travel and frequently washing your hands. Persons with a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should consult with their healthcare provider before participation.

If you, or another person on site, display symptoms of illness or test positive for COVID-19, you may be required to wear a mask, test for COVID-19, seek medical advice, isolate/quarantine on- or off-site, cease or limit participation in program activities, and/or take other precautions. If local conditions or recommendations from authorities change, additional requirements may be implemented.

If you must isolate or depart from a program due to COVID-19 or other illness, you will not be entitled to a refund of the contribution for the program, nor any expenses resulting from your participation in the program or a disruption of your travel plans. We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance that will cover this eventuality.

Wildlife, Bones, and History in Zambia

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Resources

ARTICLES

• Behrensmeyer, A. K. and Barry, J. Biostratigraphic Surveys in the Siwaliks of Pakistan: A Method for Standardized Surface Sampling of the Vertebrate Fossil Record. Palaeontologia Electronica, Vol. 8(1), 2005. 15A:24p, ;https://palaeontologia-electronica.earthsci.carleton.ca/2005_1/behrens15/behrens15.pdf 
• Behrensmeyer, A.K. et al. Taphonomy and Paleobiology. Paleobiology Vol 26(4). 2000. Pp. 103-147. 
• Behrensmeyer, A.K. Taphonomic and ecologic information from bone weathering. Paleobiology, 4(2), 1978. pp. 150-162. http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/136/1363742369.pdf 
• deMenocal, P.B. African climate change and faunal evolution during the Pliocene-Pleistocene. Earth and Planetary Science letters. Vol. 220, 1-2. Pp. 3-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(04)00003-2 

BOOKS

• Adams, J.S. and McShane, T.O. The Myth of Wild Africa. W.W. Norton Company. 1992.
• Phillipson, D.W. The Prehistory of Eastern Zambia. 1976. (PI from Earthwatch’s very first year - 1971- and the book includes findings from that first team!)
• Staden, G. History of the Luangwa Valley: South Luangwa, North Luangwa and Luambe National Parks. 2023.
• Walker, R. A Guide to Post-Cranial Bones of East African Animals. 1974. Note: Project scientists will provide participants with a PDF of this useful resource.   

FIELD GUIDES

• Carruthers, V. (editor). The Wildlife of Southern Africa: A Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of the Region. Southern Book Publishers. 1997. 
• Estes, R.D. The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals. Chelsea Green Publishing Company.1999. 
• Kingdon, J. The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. Academic Press.1997.
• Newman, K. Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa: The Green Edition. University Press of Florida. 1983. Note: Essential for birdwatchers.
• Sinclair, I., Hockey, P., and Tarboton, W. Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa. 2nd ed. Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 1998. Note: Essential for birdwatchers.
• Stuart, C. and Stuart, M. A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern, Central & Eastern African Wildlife. Struik Nature. 2013

PROJECT–RELATED WEBSITE

• https://www.lastborninthewilderness.com/episodes/aby-sene
• https://www.rectorpaleoecologylab.com/research/zrvrp

Wildlife, Bones, and History in Zambia

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