Aardwolves, elephants and lions: Final Year students enjoy African field trip

While it may have been grey and wet in recent weeks  in the UK, final-year students from Harper Adams have been enjoying the warmth of South Africa - on a field visit with a difference!

The students from the University’s Wildlife, Zoology and Animal Science and Behaviour courses were joined by staff including Dr Ellen Williams, Dr Ed Harris and Dr Nicola Randall.

They undertook a diverse programme of activities, including aardwolf research, elephant tracking, and working with rangers to protect young male lions from older members of the pride.

Catch up with some of the highlights in this social media roundup:

Aaaaaand we're off to beautiful #southAfrica to study wildlife conservation. @HarperAdamsUni @NicolaPRandall @DrElliephants pic.twitter.com/tTGNWEx9Ox

— Ed (diffuse prior) Harris (@EdHarris9000) February 18, 2024

What a great first day for our wildlife, zoology & animal behaviour students. African conservation in action, protecting these young lions from dominant males. Tomorrow will be a research day, on a species much less studied but very exciting! @GAP__AFRICA @HarperAdamsUni https://t.co/iqugv0Qok0 pic.twitter.com/unncyP3pr3

— Nicola Randall (@NicolaPRandall) February 20, 2024

Legit one of the most amazing experiences of my life! Lions being moved to a new reserve and we got to help move them! Wow! ?? https://t.co/w3jy57tKt8

— Dr Ellen Williams (@DrElliephants) February 20, 2024

Starting #aardwolf research today. Camera traps & den site/termite mound surveys. @HarperAdamsUni @EdHarris9000 @DrElliephants @GAP__AFRICA @_Laboleyn pic.twitter.com/dhbUMJcBAu

— Nicola Randall (@NicolaPRandall) February 21, 2024

pic.twitter.com/y4DZRTQ8ST

— Ed (diffuse prior) Harris (@EdHarris9000) February 22, 2024

Another glorious day in the South African bush! Today it's aardwolf research - checking for the presence of active termite mounds! Such a great opportunity! @NambitiReserve @GAP__AFRICA @EdHarris9000 @NicolaPRandall pic.twitter.com/8fNh2EOkbk

— Dr Ellen Williams (@DrElliephants) February 22, 2024

Students elephant spotting. @HarperAdamsUni @GAP__AFRICA @EdHarris9000 @DrElliephants pic.twitter.com/kEKj24QcCo

— Nicola Randall (@NicolaPRandall) February 22, 2024

Spotted eagle-owl from our night safari drive looking miffed. #SouthAfrica @GAP__AFRICA @HarperAdamsUni @NicolaPRandall @DrElliephants pic.twitter.com/3dULQNr65M

— Ed (diffuse prior) Harris (@EdHarris9000) February 22, 2024

So fabulous visiting this school! Giving them pens, pencils, skipping ropes and wolves shirts! And finishing off with a game of Hokey Cokey! ?? https://t.co/WRHTVe5owu

— Dr Ellen Williams (@DrElliephants) February 23, 2024

Sunrise at our campsite. Today we are practicing telemetry. #SouthAfrica @GAP__AFRICA @HarperAdamsUni @NicolaPRandall @DrElliephants pic.twitter.com/cmuMwK0vee

— Ed (diffuse prior) Harris (@EdHarris9000) February 24, 2024

Today we are looking at aquatic ecosystems, using FISHTRAC and miniSASS to tell us about river health at Zingela! A really research heavy camp, lots of fun! With @HarperAdamsUni students, @EdHarris9000 @NicolaPRandall #aquaticresearch #zingela #lovesouthafrica pic.twitter.com/lUcTm2taXT

— Dr Ellen Williams (@DrElliephants) February 26, 2024

Setting up a relay station for fish conservation monitoring in #southafrica @GAP__AFRICA @HarperAdamsUni @NicolaPRandall @DrElliephants pic.twitter.com/w6yAmNEkSG

— Ed (diffuse prior) Harris (@EdHarris9000) February 26, 2024

@HarperAdamsUni wildlife, zoology and animal behaviour students had an incredible time at @NambitiReserve Research - learning about African conservation in this Big 5 Reserve. @EdHarris9000 pic.twitter.com/KRxmJLpkuG

— Gap Africa Projects (@GAP__AFRICA) February 29, 2024

Close #elephant encounters & then, something I have never seen before, #dolphins surfing! What a start to the final day of our @HarperAdamsUni @EdHarris9000 pic.twitter.com/RVKtYEKBsK

— Nicola Randall (@NicolaPRandall) March 1, 2024

Sometimes you do things that make you reassess your life and your choices... This was one of those epic opportunities! What a fabulous fieldtrip! Thanks @EdHarris9000 and @NicolaPRandall for letting me join ?? https://t.co/2eFlNmkVBg

— Dr Ellen Williams (@DrElliephants) March 1, 2024