Land and Wildlife Management students from Wiltshire College & University Centre swapped the classroom for the wilderness during a challenging conservation trip to the Polish mountains.
A group of 20 first and second-year students from the Lackham campus spent six days working in sub-zero temperatures, 800 metres above sea level in the Western Carpathian Mountains, alongside lecturers Adam Harper, Wendy Green and Lauren Meek.
The trip, a joint venture between Land and Wildlife and HND Animal Management courses, saw students working with conservation organisation Wildlife Seminars, affiliated with Warsaw University.
“It was a chance for them to work with experts in the wild,” said Adam. “They got the opportunity to rub shoulders with leading biologists, which was amazing.”
Led by renowned carnivore biologist Michal Figura, students learned how to track wolves, bears and lynx, set camera traps and carry out ecological studies.
“They also did skull ageing, which involves identifying the age of large carnivores by examining skull features,” Adam added. “It’s really interesting and directly links to what they study.”
Students also gained hands-on experience using GPS tracking, surveying wildlife populations and exploring conservation techniques – all skills relevant to their coursework and future careers.
One of the highlights of the trip was seeing a thermal drone in action, capable of detecting animals in dense forest using heat signatures.
“When you’re tracking elusive species like wolves and lynx, it really increases your chances of spotting them,” Adam said.
But the most memorable moment came when the group found themselves just 200 metres from a wolf pack.
“We heard them howling – I’ve been going there for 20 years and never heard them that close,” he said. “It was quite magical and something the students won’t forget.”
The group stayed in basic accommodation in the remote village of Wojtatowka in the Beskid Żywiecki mountains, far from shops and modern distractions.
Students walked between 15 and 20 kilometres each day, often through snow, in what Adam described as a “real-world” experience of life as a wildlife biologist.
“It’s warts and all,” he said. “But they all got on board, coped brilliantly and contributed to the work being done.”
He also praised Michal Figura and his team for hosting the group, as well as fellow lecturers Wendy Green and Lauren Meek for their support throughout the trip.
For more information on Land and Wildlife Management courses, visit www.wiltshire.ac.uk
