Description

Over 200,000 lions used to roam the African continent, as recently as 1975. The latest estimates show an 80 - 90% population decline in the last 30 years. The end objective of the Victoria Falls lion project, is the reintroduction of the offspring of captive-bred lions into the wild by means of a four-stage process, which volunteers will learn more about during their involvement with the project.

This breeding and rehabilitation project is the World's First and is supported by leading ecologists in this field. We invite volunteers to walk and work with African Lions, and to be involved in the in-depth research and data-collection activities. Spending time with the lions in the wild each day is an essential part of the cub's upbringing. If the cubs are to be released into a wild environment it is important that they spend time in that environment. They need to adapt to it, learn from it, understand, observe, feel and smell the wild.

Volunteers will also take part in a research program to better understand the ecology of elephants in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and join the education programs to involve communities in conservation as part of a holistic approach.

Highlights

The involvement of volunteers on the project is paramount to achieving the conservation aims on all fronts. Volunteers can expect days to be long, but will also be able to end each day knowing that they have given something back to Africa; having made a difference to the animals and people that they come into contact with.

The volunteer's primary task whilst on placement will be to assist management and their team of guides, handlers and scouts in all aspects of care for the animals in their charge; giving them the opportunities to develop their natural instincts in preparation for their release into the next stage of the program.

Research is a significant part of the volunteer's role; collecting data not only on the development of the lions, but also joining our elephant monitoring team in the National Park.

Volunteers will also help us with our various community programs that may include conservation or health education as well as a number of other projects that will be told about on arrival.

To give volunteers an idea of how their time will be split between the different aspects of the program, the following should be taken as an approximation:

- Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild Program 75%
- Conservation work within the National Park 20%
- Conservation Education & Community Development 5%

Qualifications

- Min age 17 - Max age 80
- At least 1,55 metres tall (5 feet 1 inch)
- Basic English
- Good physical fitness
- Motivation to work with animals
- Full travel & medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please visit our website for more information

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

- Accommodation: Lodge rooms for 2-3 people
- Food: 3 meals a day
- Airport pickup: Included on arrival day
- 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

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

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