Track and Sign Training and Assessments

GVI Karongwe recently played host to one of Southern Africa's most renowned field guide trainers, Lee Gutteridge, for some track and sign sessions. On special request, Lee has visited GVI Karongwe three times now to conduct work for staff and volunteers.

The team ready to do some tracking

On the 7th and 8th of January, Lee held a training session followed by a 7 and a half hour assessment for some of the GVI Karongwe staff.

Lee and I confirming a sign in Lee's Bushveld reference book

It was an incredible experience that included the interpretation of 50 tracks and signs including those of a trotting male leopard, spotted thick-knees, a Baboon spider, terrapins, lions and a mud-wading Eagle Owl, to name but a few.

An amazing section of river bed with signs of a cheetah, civet, baboon, genet and slender mongoose, all within centimeters of each other.

In the end it was a great success as all that got assessed achieved a Cybertracker level for scores over 70%. We're hooked now and will be trying to beat our scores and perhaps move onto the art of trailing an animal.

Checking out where a Hippo had mud wallowed

We are delighted to call Lee a friend and hope to use his expertise again in 2013. Volunteers particularly keen on learning more on tracking can arrange a session for a very reasonable rate, especially when for larger groups of up to 8 people.

Thanks once again to Lee for running the sessions.

Andreas Fox
Program Coordinator
GVI South Africa

Track and Sign Training and Assessments