Tracking for Conservationists Course

Spoor, Signs & Tracking Technologies

Wildlife ACT has taken the many years of experience from its most skilled trackers, to develop a unique 8-week conservation-focused virtual course, presented by two of our experienced field staff, Megan Hudson and Hollie M’gog. Whether you are planning a career in conservation or just wish to boost your field skills, then this wildlife tracking course will further your appreciation and understanding of an age-old art.

Learn to build your awareness of the ground, aerial and vocal clues that surround us, learn about wildlife tracking technology and learn how tracks and signs are incorporated into the development of conservation initiatives, especially those pertaining to the field-based conservation of endangered and priority species.

Course Details:

Course Dates:  Anytime Enrollment. The course begins once you sign up!

Duration: 8 Weeks

Platform: Teachable Inc.

Cost: €119 for the full, 8 week course. Discount offered to previous students.

Eligibility: To anyone interested in the science and art of wildlife tracking.

Live Instructor Interaction Sessions at 16:00 Nairobi Time (GMT+3) on January: 12th and 26th; February: 9th and 23rd; March: 9th and 23rd; April: 6th and 20th

Quiz: The course will conclude with a final online quiz, with certificates of completion provided.

Tracking-for-Conservationists-Course

Course Outline & Learning Hours:

  • Lecture One: The Fundamentals of Track & Sign  
  • Lecture Two: Interpreting Ethology Signs & Signals
  • Lecture Three: An Introduction to Scat & to Tracking Techniques
  • Lecture Four: Tracking Birds Through Pellets & Prints
  • Lecture Five: Animal Behaviours, Signalling & Communication
  • Lecture Six: Gaits & Track Sequencing
  • Lecture Seven: Tracking as a Craft in Anti-poaching
  • Lecture Eight: Wildlife Crime & the Illegal Trade: Part 1
  • Lecture Nine: Wildlife Crime & the Illegal Trade: Part 2
  • Lecture Ten: Tracking Wildlife Crime
  • Lecture Eleven: Monitoring & Tracking Technologies
  • Lecture Twelve: Tracking with Technology
  • Lecture Thirteen: Nocturnal Tracking
  • Lecture Fourteen: e- and i- DNA & Algorithm Tracking
  • Lecture Fifteen: Wildlife ACT’s use of Monitoring & Tracking
  • Lecture Sixteen: Reviewing & Recapping our Scene Investigations

Course Basic Structure:

  • 16 lectures over 8 weeks
  • Two 40-60 minute lectures a week
  • One quiz a week
  • Q&A’s / Instructor Engagement Sessions 
  • Course notes in PDF distributed weekly

Enroll Above or Get in Touch

Some Feedback from our Students

Cornelia Hebrank (Germany)

“I really enjoyed the wildlife tracking course and learned a lot about current developments in tracking. My favourite lectures were those on the technological aspects of tracking, as I hadn’t known much about that before and I’m interested in finding ways to further improve existing technology. So I really enjoyed the part about e/iDNA and algorithm tracking, and also the mentions of AI in tracking. For me, the highlight was learning about how AI is already being used in conservation, as that is a topic that I am really interested in and could imagine working on in the future. I had a great time and learned a lot. Thank you!”

Jan Peelle (United States)

“Great experience and easy to navigate through the classes. It covered a lot of topics which gave a good overview of different areas and aspects of conservation. Not having a conservation background, the material was challenging at times but made me more aware of how new technology is changing what can be accomplished. This wildlife tracking course awakened my interest in conservation and is leading me to pursue volunteer opportunities. I am especially interested in vultures as a result of this program.”

Patrick Rueegg (Spain)

“Very good. I learned a lot of new things and the course was well structured and easy to follow with the help of the Q&A sessions. I also liked the guest speakers who provided additional input. I hope to get some more input that I can apply when joining Wildlife ACT the next time to have a better understanding and also “see” more.  What I didn’t expect was all the great ideas on how to apply the learnings anywhere. The section about gaits and leads was interesting. It was first confusing but afterwards eye opening to suddenly realise I watched animals move all my life and never understood how much you can learn/see about their intention from actually watching them move!”

Korinne Bengert (Canada)

“I really enjoyed this experience online.  I am from Canada and just being able to learn tactics and techniques is useful if I was to go on safari again. I am not in the conservation field but I have a strong interest in wildlife. I enjoyed the videos and I really enjoyed the live Q&A’s.  I have already enrolled for the Endangered Species course so looking forward to it!  I hope to volunteer one day… Thank you for making an online course especially for those who live far away and can learn more about African tracking and conservation. I hope to be back in Africa soon!”

Tom Beard (Isle of Man)

“Really enjoyed it. The lecture content is very detailed and it was a great learning experience. The course goes into subjects of tracking I didn’t even know existed, and it’s opened my eyes to all the different careers one can pursue in conservation, particularly in tracking and monitoring.”

Lauren Hunt (United Kingdom)

“I have completed the Endangered & Priority Species, Mapping as a Tool for Conservationists & the Tracking for Conservationists courses and I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them. All courses exceeded expectation and I have learnt so much more than I thought I would.”