ABOUT
RESEARCH MASHATU
There is little doubt that sound scientific research and
monitoring plays an important role in the conservation of
wildlife populations in natural areas, especially in more
confined areas such as private game reserves, which have
increased tremendously over the past decade. Private game
reserves are, however, often managed with eco-tourism as
the main objective and although some form of research may
be conducted on the property, it is generally perceived
to be overly expensive and too time consuming, with little
or no benefit to the eco-tourism operation. Eco-tourism
ventures are therefore inclined to disapprove of, or give
little support to, wildlife research if it does not pay
its way.
Mashatu Game Reserve, which covers 25000ha in Botswana's
Northern Tuli Game Reserve, is a luxury safari destination,
which has managed to successfully unite research and eco-tourism.
Two wildlife researchers, who work on the Tuli
Elephant Research Project and the Northern
Tuli Predator Project, have been integrated with the
eco-tourism activities on offer by providing visitors the
opportunity to accompany them on "research-drives",
where time is spent in the field with the various study
animals.
These research-drives are mutually beneficial
to both research and eco-tourism: The lodge benefits directly
by offering this unique activity, which enhances the wildlife
experience of visitors and consequently increases the occupancy,
which the lodge enjoys. Indirectly the reserve is provided
with recommendations, based on scientific data, on how to
conserve and manage its wildlife populations, ensuring the
persistence of these populations and therefore the long-term
sustainability of the eco-tourism venture. The main benefit
to the researcher is lodge support in the form of food, accommodation
and logistical assistance, as well as supplementary funding
through an additional sum charged for research-drives, which
goes directly towards his or her project.
Click below to view more about the research projects and to read their reports:
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