Monitoring Intern for Przewalski’s horses & kulans
Altyn Dala, Kazakhstan, Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt von 1858 e.V., Europe, Interns, full-time
About The Project
Brief Information on the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative:
Founded in 2005 and operating under a signed MoU, the Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative is spearheaded in Kazakhstan by the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), with financial and technical assistance from Fauna & Flora (F&F), Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), and the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB), working in partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan’s Committee for Forestry & Wildlife, part of the Ministry of Ecology, Geology & Natural Resources. The Initiative is a large-scale, long-term partnership to conserve and restore fully functional ecosystems of steppe, semi-desert, and desert across the historical range of the saiga antelope in Kazakhstan. The Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK) is a non-profit public organisation dedicated to the study and conservation of rare species of flora and fauna, as well as significant areas of Kazakhstan. ACBK is a partner of Birdlife International in Kazakhstan.
Brief Information on the large herbivore reintroduction project:
Right in the heart of the Central Asian plains, there is a vast grassland dotted with wetlands stretching thousands of miles in every direction. This is Altyn Dala, the “Golden Steppe”, and in it lies a region known as Torgai. Inherent to its unique ecosystem are large grazers, the Przewalski’s horses and wild ass, called Kulan. Due to human pressure during the last centuries, these charismatic species have been lost to the landscape. Since 2006, dedicated conservation efforts have significantly improved local protection levels in the Torgai region. Kulan are being successively reintroduced to Altyn Dala since 2017 and have been joined by the fourteen Przewalski’s horses by June 2025. By 2028, we plan to translocate 40 Przewalski’s horses from European Zoos and 100 Kulans from within Kazakhstan, thus creating self-sustaining populations of both equid species. This requires ongoing protection and monitoring to understand their wider impacts on the steppe ecosystem. While the Kulans are wild-captured animals from the world’s largest Kulan population in a National Park at the southern border of Kazakhstan, the Przewalski’s Horses will be provided by participants of the EAZA Ex-situ Program (EEP). Zoo Prague is leading on the selection and transportation of the wild horses from various European facilities to Kazakhstan.
The designated large herbivore reintroduction centre “Alibi” consists of a permanently staffed field station and several large acclimatization enclosures. It is strategically located in the Torgai steppe within an established network of nature reserves connected by ecological corridors totaling 40.000km2. Several of these reserves and the centre itself are run by the national NGO partner, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK). The facility has been in use since 2017 for the ongoing Kulan translocation program.
About the Position
This position aims to
- secure sound monitoring of the behaviour and wellbeing of reintroduced Przewalski’s horses and kulan within the acclimatization enclosures.
- assess the animals’ parasite load regularly using fecal sampling and basic analysis in the field lab on site.
- track daily observations using the conservation software “Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool” (SMART)
- keep off-site project team up to date to enable their immediate response to any observed trends.
- Support, and lead where relevant, animal management interventions as required.
Your Tasks
- Daily observation of animals in the enclosures including assessment of social interactions and recording Body Condition Score
- Overall health monitoring of the animal groups in the pre-release enclosures: checking for signs of wounds, lesions, behavioral changes and signs of pain
- Operating multiple camera traps: setting up in the field, data download and interpretation of footage
- in coordination with Reintroduction Center Caretakers and project leaders:
- support supplementary feedings and water provision and report on the animals’ consumption quantity and frequency
- Implement minor adjustments to enclosures / animal enrichment
- Fecal sampling and parasitological analysis of animal groups or individuals (once every two weeks) with rapid fecal test, flotation-sedimentation and McMaster egg count methods
- Consistent documentation of all findings and developments on smartphone application “SMART”
- Collecting fecal samples for future microbiome analysis
- Taking daily video footage of Przewalski’s horses and storing the data chronologically
- Regular and reliable reporting to the national and international team
Your Profile
Requirements
- Enrolled in or graduate of veterinary medicine, biology, animal husbandry or related subjects
- Familiarity with equid behaviour – need to be able to interpret social interactions!
- Ability to follow monitoring schedules and data collection protocols reliably
- Basic knowledge of conservation principles and practices
- Ability and willingness to work in very remote area
- Physical fitness and ability to cope with challenging field conditions
- Ability to work and stay motivated without on-site supervision
- Excellent interpersonal skills and respectful behavior towards local employees
- Passion for wilderness and nature
- English Level B2
- Kazakh citizenship or legal registration under German tax law
Preferred, but optional:
- Experience with data collection and analysis using scientific methods and protocols
- Experience with remote field work and/or rural Central Asian conditions
- Proficiency in Russian or Kazakh language
- Experience with parasitology (flotation-sedimentation, McMaster Egg Count), fecal sampling
- Experience with photography, writing for public communication, etc.
Condition on site
The reintroduction center for wild ungulates “Alibi” is an autonomous ranger station that lies in a vast network of wilderness areas in Central Kazakhstan. The temperatures can reach from 40°C in summer to -30°C in winter. Wildlife is abundant: depending on the season you will encounter plenty of species, ranging from iconic saiga antelopes to less loved – but not less important – mosquitos.
Modern technology ensures self-sufficiency of the station at a high level: there is stable WiFi and electricity, household water is sourced from the neighboring lake and drinking water is brought from the surrounding villages. However, the water in the nearby lake is drinkable and sometimes used for this purpose. “Alibi” has four rooms: a kitchen, two bedrooms and a veterinary office, and several residential yurts in summer. You will either share one of the bedrooms or a yurt with one other monitoring intern. There will be at least two Kazakh caretakers at a time with you and frequent visits by the project leader, patrolling rangers, scientists, etc. The ranger station is heated in winter. Dry toilets are outside and a Russian sauna (Banya) is prepared approximately every two to three days for washing. There is a simple washing machine available for doing the laundry. Housekeeping activities such as doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen after meals are expected equally from everyone stationed at Alibi. Together with the other monitoring intern and in accordance with the line management, you may divide tasks and responsibilities as to allow for weekends and downtime to explore and enjoy the surrounding steppe wilderness. There is only occasional access to a vehicle, by joining the caretakers in their visits to the village for supplies, generally though, you will be based on location and exploration will be on foot.
We Offer
- hands-on experience in internationally recognized conservation project
- Improved understanding of wildlife veterinary diagnostics and animal management
- Meaningful impact on Kazakh nature conservation
- Connection to dynamic and dedicated international team of conservationists
- Amazing nature and wildlife experience
- Potential for publication and dissemination of research findings in reputable scientific journals
- Cultural immersion and exposure to the unique traditions and landscapes of Kazakhstan
Legalities and compensation
- Internship contract at Frankfurt Zoological Society (for international citizens) or Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (for Kazakh citizens), including insurance
- Basic salary (39h/week)
- Coverage of expenses for visa and travel to Kazakhstan
Your Application
Please submit your application including a motivational letter, CV and earliest start date via our online application form.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Your contact person
Linda Schultze
HR Generalist