Description

The Tiger and Lion project was founded 12 years ago by Janice and Rusty Gibb, who after their retirement dedicated themselves to the preservation of African wildlife. Since the 1970's the population of lions in Africa has decreased by 80-90 percent, due to poaching, reduction of natural habitats, and disease such as Tuberculosis and feline AIDS. The breeding program at the project supports caged breeding in order to create new defect free bloodlines, and to ensure family lines of vigorous and healthy lions that may one get the chance to return to the wild.

Since its founding, the park has extended its activities to include the care and preservation of other species of large cats who originate in Africa.

The park provides care for three rare Siberian Tigers. Without any outside interference and going against normative tiger behavior in captivity, the tigers began breeding and have so far bred three litters of one cub each. Most work that is done by volunteers revolves around one-on-one care of tiger and lion cubs. This can include but is not limited to:

- Food preparation and feedings of lion and tiger cubs
- Taking cubs for walks around the reserve
- Cleaning enclosures/maintenance
- Data collection on the cubs and adult cats
- Environmental education for tourist and school groups
- Rehabilitation programs for orphaned or injured animals from the wild
- Helping out in the park restaurant during a busy period or event

In addition to these tasks, the goal of volunteers is to help preserve the park in any way necessary, and tasks will be based upon the needs of the park during your stay. You will also get the opportunity to participate in exciting weekly training sessions for volunteers to learn about survival skills in the wild, tracking, animal behavior and more. Rusty and Janice, the founders of the park, will be happy to discuss their ideas about conservation, plans for the park, etc.

Highlights

The park is located about 20 minutes from Port Elizabeth, a beautiful and charming town with a gorgeous boardwalk, antiques, an artist market on Sundays, and many shopping malls.

You will have one day off per week to travel and you are welcome to explore the region, which includes:

- Addo, the national elephant park(30 minute drive)
- Jeffery's Bay, a beach town (35 minute drive)
- The world's longest bungee jump, an elephant shelter, a monkey park and a bird reserve (45 minute drive)

The on-site volunteer coordinators will be happy to discuss the many options with you for extra trip options during your stay, however and extra activities are not included in the program.

Travel Types

• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Volunteering

Qualifications

- Volunteer work: Hands-on care of tiger, leopard and servel cubs, general maintenance and care of the park, conservation education
- Number of participants: Up to 20 International volunteers

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1,530 for 2 weeks, and 575 for each additional

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

- Accommodation: Includes housing in either volunteer dorms or wooden cabins.
- Food: 3 meals a day
- Airport Pickup: From the Port Elizabeth Airport.
- Orientation kit: Full project details will be sent following registration
- Training: Pre-departure preparation and In-country orientation
- Support: Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview

GoEco - Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement

(1) Encourage ecological and volunteer tourism that promotes sustainable development (2) Enable travelers to experience different and more rewarding kinds of tourism. (3) Encourage travelers to volunteer for the benefit of others and thus to serve as a good-will ambassador to other countries in the world. (4) Encourage travelers from all over the world to come to Israel for ecological and community-based projects, in both the Arab and Jewish sectors, and experience firsthand the unique cultural and natural diversity in this region. (5) Support environmental and humanitarian projects that promote understanding and good will between ethnic societies in Israel. (6) Conduct further research in the field of ecological tourism, such as the 'Ecological Footprint' as a tool for sustainable tourism development. (7) Establish an in-depth and up-to-date data base of the relevant projects worldwide. (8) Create a platform from which to explore the various organizations that support the environment and actively encourage volunteering.

Year Founded

2005