WORKSHOPS
Applied Bioacoustics Course
hosted by OTS and ABC
We are pleased to invite applications for a two-week applied bioacoustics course at Kruger National Park later this year. This course, offered in collaboration with the African Bioacoustic Community (ABC) and the Organisation of Tropical Studies (OTS), is designed for postgraduates and industry professionals who wish to develop their expertise in bioacoustics.
What the Course Includes:
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Acoustic Research Techniques: Learn how to apply acoustic methods in ecological research.
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Equipment Training: Gain hands-on experience with acoustic recording equipment, recording within Kruger National Park.
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Data Processing & Analysis: Understand how to process, analyse, and classify acoustic data and apply this to your research.
The course will be run twice this year:
23rd March—5th April 2025
6th July—19th July 2025.
We are pleased to offer a local African rate for participants from the region and strongly encourage local African students and professionals to apply.
Course Details:
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Course structure: This two-week in-person field course combines theoretical principles with hands-on practical techniques in bioacoustics, focusing on sound-based biodiversity monitoring across a range of ecological scales—from individual species to entire soundscapes
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Location: Skukuza Research Station, Kruger National Park, South Africa. Accommodation and training will occur at the park's scientific leadership initiative.
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Inclusions: The course fee covers all accommodation, meals, and transportation during the course, as well as training materials.
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Format: A mix of lectures, practicals and hands-on fieldwork, with ample opportunities for direct interaction and mentorship from expert instructors.
If you want to expand your knowledge of bioacoustics in an immersive environment, this course provides a valuable opportunity to learn from experts while gaining practical experience within the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa, one of Africa’s premier conservation areas.
How to Apply: https://tropicalstudies.org/course/applied-bioacoustics/
Please note that places for the March session are limited, so we encourage early applications.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Past Workshops
Sound Production in Birds and Mammals - 11 July 2023
In this workshop, we covered topics on the specific morphological characteristics of the sound production systems in mammals and birds. This specific workshop included a practical approach with dissections of the vocal production organs of various species.
Speakers:
Dr Tess Gridley (Stellenbosch University, South Africa) - A basic introduction to bioacoustics.
Professor David Reby (University of St Étienne, France) - Vocal production mechanisms in mammals: with focus on the source of sound and the filtering process of sound within the vocal production organs.
Professor Livio Favaro (University of Turin, Italy) - Vocal production mechanisms and vocal behaviour in birds.
In the practical component, Professor Livio Favaro dissected two different bird species, showing the audience the structure of the syrinx. Professor David Reby then performed a direction of the vocal tract of a Cape fur seal, explaining the specific morphology of the organs.
Sound Perception in Animals - 17 May 2023
In this workshop, our speakers covered a diverse range of topics centred around how sound is perceived by different species of animals both on land and in the water.
Speakers:
Professor Ole Larson (Southern Denmark University, Denmark) - Bird hearing and sound localisation and discusses whether the environment constrains avian sound localisation.
Professor Jakob Christensen-Dalsgaard (Southern Denmark University, Denmark) - Hearing in air and water, the natural and anthropogenic noise effects on hearing, and non-invasive measurements of vertebrate hearing.
Professor Catherine Carr (University of Maryland, United States) - Directional hearing in owls and geckos.
Dr Lisa Nupin (Veterinary Wildlife Services, SANParks) - Acoustic epidemiology of African buffalo and localisation of hippos.
These talks were filmed and are available for free on YouTube.