Volunteering Activities
The work is currently carried out entirely using traditional methods; including tracking, analyzing prey remains when found, collecting information from local people and hunters. Wolves are very rarely sighted in the wild and so therefore almost all of the information is gained through observation and analysis of trails. This requires long walks through the forest in search of any traces of wolves. When the howling of a wolf is heard, the precise location is charted. This way the researchers gain insight on the size of the populations, the migration routes, the hunting behavior and the resting- and meeting-places of the wolves in the area. Ultimately, the needs of the project will decide what has to be done as this can change from year to year. What you end up doing throughout your stay at the reserve depends on how long you stay, what time of year you come and personal dedication.
- follow footprints by ski
- search for leftovers and traces of wolf predation
- pack's analysis using sex and age identification
Temperature in this period may be down to minus thirty degrees Celsius, there may be deep snow, and the extent of the routes may be up to seventy kilometers by ski-doo and up to fifteen kilometers by ski.
- wolves' den identification
Walking distances may be up to twenty kilometers daily for track analysis. A beautiful period for nature but also you may enjoy a red army of mosquitoes in this period (do not underestimate this).
- registration of tracks on routes
- long residing in tent near wolves' den
The extent of hiking routes may be up to twenty kilometers. There may be mosquitoes is this period, though usually not so much as in the previous period.
- passage of routes through not too deep snow, not on ski's, following of trails.
- looking for traces and leftovers of wolf predation
- wolf pack analysis using sex and age identification.
Temperatures may drop to minus twenty degrees Celsius; the extent of the daily hiking routes may be up to twenty kilometers.
Note that in the months of April and October there is little to be done in the way of research as the wolves do not normally howl and there is no snow to track in. This means that the two main methods of field research are futile during this time. It is therefore best to plan your trip outside of these two months.
During your stay you can enjoy the beautiful nature of the European-Russian taiga. When you participate in this project, you will be surprised how much you can learn about nature by observing accurately. It gives you the opportunity to experience all aspects of nature and to learn about the conflicts between humans and wolves in a remote area where the people still live a traditional life.
*The information on volunteer programs you can see to the website http://www.ecovolunteer.org
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Kurganov A.
Kurganova S.