Tayla van Heerden

My duties included counting thousands of pollen grains on
sample slides, body condition scoring different antelope
species, identifying different species on TrapTagger,
constructing manipulation experiments for pollination studies
and collecting baboon fecal samples. This taught me to be
hyper analytical and meticulous with data to ensure accurate
results. It taught me how to avoid cross contamination of
samples and how to use complex laboratory equipment.

My duties involved monitoring species including Big Five
individuals, developing complex monitoring plans and creating
standard operating procedures. I learnt how to solve conflict
amongst team members, teamwork and how to use a telemetry
and applications such as EarthRanger effectively.

As a conservation intern I was involved in caring for animals in
bomas and equestrian husbandry, game capture and game
counts, environmental education, reception and stock taking
duties and manual labor such as alien invasive species clearing
and fence maintenance. This taught me how to become a
hardworking, adaptable and resilient individual. It expanded
my knowledge and skills in conservation strategies and
practices.