Saving Wildcats is looking for an in-situ volunteer!
Saving Wildcats is a partnership project lead by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), dedicated to Scottish wildcat conservation and recovery, aiming to prevent the extinction of wildcats in Scotland by breeding and releasing them into the wild.
Based at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland‘s Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, this field and office based role will primarily involve radio-tracking collared wildcats and downloading the GPS data, as well as assisting the field team with handling and analysing camera trap survey data. Camera trap data analysis will primarily include the classification of survey images using the programme DigiKam. You will gain direct practical experience of tracking mammals using GPS-radio collars, data collection, handling, and recording, as well as an insight into the complexities involved with in-situ field work.
There may also be opportunities to participate in additional field-based activities, such as camera-trap checks and Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) of feral domestic cats. We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals with an interest in wildcats and species restorations, with fieldwork experience, preferably in the Scottish Highlands or similar remote and challenging conditions.
Volunteering will give you the opportunity to contribute directly towards conservation efforts for the critically endangered wildcat in Scotland. You will learn about the conservation issues affecting wildcats and the actions being taken to prevent their extinction, and you will gain direct practical experience of tracking mammals using GPS-radio collars, data collection, handling, and recording, as well as an insight into the complexities involved with in-situ field work.
You will be provided with local accommodation, discounted lunch at the on-site café, and expenses of up to £50 per week. Vehicles will be provided for volunteers to use from Highland Wildlife Park to/from the field site for the tracking. However, you will be responsible for your own transport to and from the Highland Wildlife Park, and therefore a driving license and your own vehicle are required for this position as there is no public transport out of hours. You will be compensated for your fuel costs when driving to and from Highland Wildlife Park, on top of your expenses.
This position is from 2 April to 27 September 2024, with a minimum commitment of three months. Please advise your availability in the application.
RZSS is committed to being fair, open and inclusive. We believe that RZSS benefits from the involvement of volunteers from diverse cultures, perspectives and experiences. We accept people of all genders, races, disabilities, ages, religious beliefs, and sexualities to be part of RZSS. We try to make our spaces and working conditions as accessible as possible and welcome requests to accommodate the individual. We expect our volunteers to adhere to the Guidelines on Equality and Diversity upon induction and throughout their time volunteering to us.