Field Biology in Action: SFU Students Travel to Namibia with the Cheetah Conservation Fund

Q: What did SFU Field Biology students do over winter break?
A: They traveled to Africa for a hands-on experience with the Cheetah Conservation Fund

Students in Saint Francis University's BIOL 322: Field Biology course traded snow boots for hiking boots as they traveled to Namibia, Africa, for an immersive, hands-on learning experience at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) January 4-12, 2026. Led by Dr. Lane Loya, along with Dr. Justin Merry, the course brought classroom concepts to life through real-world work in conservation biology, land management, and endangered species protection.

After nearly 18 hours of flight time, an 8-hour layover, and 7 hours of driving, the group of ten SFU students arrived at CCF ready to dive into field and laboratory research. From the very first days, students split their time between hands-on fieldwork and lab-based analysis, gaining experience with the same techniques used by professional conservation biologists.

One highlight early in the trip was working alongside a trained scat-detection dog to locate carnivore scat in the field. Back in the lab, students partnered with CCF staff member Hafeni Hamalwa to extract DNA from the samples. Later in the week, they used genetic techniques to identify the species responsible-an essential tool for monitoring wildlife populations across large natural conservancies and protecting threatened animals like cheetahs.

As the week progressed, students learned about camera traps and radio telemetry from CCF ecology staff, even successfully locating a radio collar similar to those used to track cheetahs in the wild. In the lab, they performed PCR amplification of mitochondrial DNA using predator-specific primers, reinforcing the connection between molecular biology and conservation ecology.

The course also emphasized ecosystem management and sustainability. During "Ecology Day" at CCF, students conducted vegetation surveys comparing areas heavily cleared of invasive thornbush to control plots. They later toured CCF's bushblok factory, where harvested thornbush is converted into pellet fuel for power plants-an innovative solution that supports both conservation and local livelihoods. The day ended with a night hike, offering sightings of western barn owls and a bushbaby, and even included a Zoom call with famed geneticist Dr. Stephen O'Brien, an SFU 1966 alumnus.

Wildlife observation was a constant and unforgettable part of the experience. On Friday, students participated in an early morning bird walk, followed by a time-budget analysis of springbok bachelor herds. They also explored the realities of human-wildlife conflict, visiting CCF's livestock guarding dog facility, where they helped feed dogs, perform basic health checks, and joined what may have been the largest dog walk in CCF history-ten Anatolian shepherds at once. The day concluded with a night drive featuring an extraordinary list of sightings, including leopard, aardvark, porcupine, African wild cat, owls, jackal, ostrich, eland, oryx, and even a brief glimpse of a brown hyena.

The group's final full day at CCF blended behavioral ecology and hypothesis-driven research. Students conducted a weaver bird nest-building study, testing why white-browed sparrow weavers choose certain trees over others. They also collected data to replicate a published study examining the mutualistic relationship between trees and termite mounds. The trip ended on a perfect note with a sundowner picnic at sunset on CCF's Little Serengeti nature reserve, surrounded by springbok.

Through the Student's Eyes: A Class Project

The Power of Experiential Learning And Study Abroad Opportunities

This unforgettable experience showcased the power of experiential learning-connecting SFU students directly with global conservation efforts and the science behind them. It is one of many travel experiences open to SFU students through the university's Office of International Education.

Watch the video to learn more about the Field Biology course and the Namibia experience. Special thanks to Ashton George, senior Computer Science major, who recorded and edited the video.