Environmental Independent Studies in South Africa: Restoration for Biodiversity, Elephants, and Rural Livelihoods in Kruger National Park (Summer 2026)

By Peter Kruse

I graduated with my B.Sc. in Environmental and Sustainability Studies this Summer, shortly after going on a three week program with nine other Northern Arizona University students to Skukuza, South Africa. We were hosted by the Skukuza Science Leadership Initiative (SSLI) and I can say without a doubt that going on this program was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.

Ultimately, the purpose of this trip for me was to gain real fieldwork experience, since I hadn’t really experienced much in my undergrad, and I was not disappointed. Over the three weeks we were there, we spent at least half the time in the field. We were assisting with data collection for a larger project monitoring how disease moves in and around Kruger National Park by catching rodents. Kruger National Park is a fenced national park, so the larger animals typically cannot move beyond the boundaries, but rodents can, so by monitoring them, we can see how disease travels between the Park and its surrounding areas. Our fieldwork consisted of setting up rodent traps, collecting the rodents we caught, collecting any ectoparasites (i.e. ticks, mites, fleas, lice) they might be carrying, and taking biographical information of them. I really like most critters, so I had a lot of fun with the rodents because they’re really, really cute.

Beyond getting some really valuable fieldwork experience, I was also able to network and connect with a lot of really cool people in and around my field in conservation. Honestly, a really wonderful part of this program is how awesome the people are. Everyone both on the trip and who worked at and with SSLI were really kind, helpful, and great to be around. A real community existed, and exists still, during this program.

Overall, this program was a well worth it experience that has helped me grow, not just as a person, but also as a colleague, a researcher, and a student. One day I hope to find myself returning to South Africa and Skukuza, but even if I don’t, being able to go on this trip was an invaluable experience worth doing in any lifetime.

Photos by Peter Kruse