Research plays a vital role in conservation, enabling scientists to not only learn more about a species’ biology and its behaviour but also to gain an insight into the status of a species within a given area. This allows management solutions to be proposed to help successfully conserve species within protected areas.

Colchester Zoo is, therefore, keen to undertake research of both the habitat and species in the area that will form the UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve. Previously managed as cattle farms, research will allow accurate surveys of the plant and animal species present and assessment of the effects of the previous grazing on the site. This will include methods to reduce the effects of soil erosion and exotic plant intrusion, which have taken place as a result of poor management within the area over the course of the past 100 years allowing us to explore the full potential of the site as a nature reserve, ready for the translocation of native species.

The aim of the UmPhafa research programme is collaborative and intended to combine the skills of British and South African university students and it is hoped that research studies will begin in the near future. Applications for research should be made to the Research Officer, Colchester Zoo’s Action for the Wild, Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL, United Kingdom or email research@colchester-zoo.co.uk