Livestock Production / Animal Health Interns

Role Overview

This is a six-month placement based in the heart of the Maasai Mara ecosystem, designed for individuals who want to turn classroom learning into practical conservation action. You will work alongside local field staff and researchers, carrying out daily monitoring tasks, collecting ecological data, and supporting community-led conservation initiatives. The experience is intensive and hands-on, giving you direct exposure to the realities of managing and protecting a world-famous wildlife landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct systematic wildlife abundance and distribution surveys along established transects, recording species, herd sizes, and precise GPS locations.
• Assist with the deployment, checking, and cataloguing of camera trap images to identify individual animals and monitor movement patterns.
• Support predator monitoring efforts by tracking radio-collared lions and hyenas, documenting kills, and noting interactions with livestock.
• Participate in bush clearance and anti-poaching patrols with local rangers, reporting signs of illegal activity and assisting with snare removal.
• Collect vegetation and habitat data, including grass height, tree cover, and water source conditions, to help assess seasonal ecosystem changes.
• Help organise and run educational sessions for local schools and community groups, focusing on coexistence between people and wildlife.
• Maintain field equipment, vehicles logs, and data entry systems, ensuring that all observational records are accurate and ready for analysis.
• Prepare weekly summary reports and present findings to the wider team to guide adaptive management decisions.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A degree in ecology, wildlife biology, environmental science, or a closely related discipline; recent graduates and final-year students are encouraged to apply.
• Practical experience collecting field data, including using GPS devices, binoculars, and record-keeping sheets or mobile apps.
• Excellent observational skills and the ability to identify common East African mammals and birds, or a proven commitment to learning these rapidly.
• Physical fitness and comfort working in challenging, remote conditions, including early mornings, long foot patrols, and variable weather.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English; basic Swahili is a distinct advantage but not mandatory.
• Self-motivation and adaptability, with a demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a culturally diverse team.
• A valid driver’s licence and previous experience driving four-wheel-drive vehicles on rough terrain is highly desirable.

What We Offer / Why Join

This is a rare chance to immerse yourself in one of the planet’s most iconic wilderness areas while building practical skills that are essential for a career in conservation. Over the six months, you will gain hands-on experience with wildlife monitoring techniques, data management, and community engagement—competencies that are difficult to acquire in a classroom. You will also develop a professional network of conservationists, rangers, and researchers, and leave with a deeper understanding of what it takes to protect ecosystems facing real-world pressures. If you are looking for a meaningful way to contribute to lasting conservation impact, this opportunity is designed for you.