Description

This project is unique in that we actively help save priority wildlife species by personally initiating, implementing and managing some of the most exciting monitoring projects in Southern Africa. We work with amongst other animals, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dog and Lion. You can be a part of the exciting conservation work we do!

The project is placed in an incredibly fragile and complex ecosystem in Southern Africa. The work is focused on saving biodiversity through the preservation of critically endangered species. These species act as umbrella species, meaning that the conservation of these high profile species has a spin-off effect of the preservation of large tracts of land and hence the conservation of biodiversity in these systems.

As a member from the project, you will be actively involved in all the day-to-day research monitoring activities: you will be tracking and locating animals; you will also be taught how to make use of the radio telemetry tracking device and Global Positioning Systems. You will assist in animal behavioural research. You will help with the creation and updating of animal identity kits, as well help us ongoing game counts.

Depending on how long you stay with us, you will also get the opportunity to help when animals need to be darted and fitted with radio collars, tagging of animals like the black rhino, as well the relocation and re-introduction of game.

We are an experienced, passionate and hands-on team. We are looking for people who want their contribution to be effectively utilised in genuine conservation efforts. If want to make a real difference and have an experience of a lifetime, then join our team!

Where do I go?

The project presently focus our efforts in Zululand, South Africa. The Zululand ecosystem is among the most diverse and productive wild lands in the world, yet amid its gallery of wildlife, conservation efforts face tremendous challenges. We are currently active on 3 reserves in Zululand (Thanda, Pongola and Mkhuze), each with it's own research focus this means that we give you the opportunity to be part of a uniquely diverse conservation experience, actively involved with many priority wildlife species.

Zululand makes a dramatic backdrop to our initiatives. It is a place of unspoilt beauty and culture as diverse as its landscapes. The rolling green hills are disturbed only by the zig-zagging of rivers, and the picture-perfect coastlines are framed by abundant forests. Zululand is a rare place where age-old cultures and traditions live hand in hand with modern culture, living and conservation efforts. Zululand have some of the oldest game reserves in Africa and it is said that Zulu Kings Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted here. Some of the reserves we work on, like Mkhuze, have been declared world heritage sites by the WWF. It was reserves right here in Zululand that were responsible for saving the Rhino from extinction, and is home to a fifth of all Black rhino's in the world black rhino's are one of the species we monitor, and 1 of the 10 most endangered animals in the world.

Species:

We focus on Priority species, which can be divided into 2 categories:
1) Endangered species like Wild Dog, Cheetah and Black Rhino
2) Species with a high ecological impact like Elephant and Lion
* We also monitor Leopard, Hyena, vultures, White Rhino, Buffalo, various antelope species, Zebra, Giraffe etc.

Habitat:

The wild lands of Zululand are world renowned for it's high concentration of unique species of birds, insects and plants that occur on Zululand reserves. The habitat is classic African savannah bush.

How do I get there?

Getting here is easy! The simplest route is to fly to Johannesburg, and then get a connecting domestic flight to Richards Bay. A project member can be arranged to pick you up (and drop you off again) for a fee (see below on Prices and Dates), or alternatively, you can get a bus from Johannesburg airport to Zululand and the town of Mkhuze, from where we can pick you up personally. Mkhuze is about 30 minutes to the project sites. The minimum stay is usually 2 weeks and you can join the project according schedule informed in Prices and Dates.

Where do I stay?

You will be staying in lodging close by to the monitor's house, and you will be in rooms along with other volunteers on the project. Depending on the numbers (limit of 4 max) you may get your own room, but be prepared to share. There are showers and flush toilets, supplied with hot water. The house is situated inside of the reserve, so you will be able to hear and see wildlife in the area! There is a communal kitchen, in which you will cook and prepare meals with the other volunteers. We will take you shopping and fund the groceries, but luxury items such as sweets and soft drinks can be purchased in town at your own expense. The closest town is about half an hour away and trips to town are made at least once every two weeks, but you can expect a weekly trip for supplies. The staff drinks the water supplied at the research camp, however volunteers may decide to buy bottled water at their own expense.

What we do:

In our efforts to help save priority species like Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dog and Lion, you will be taking part in all aspects of work that we do.

Daily monitoring activities include:
- Priority species tracking, via radio telemetry equipment
- GPS mapping of sightings
- The creation and updating of identity kits
- Animal behavioural research
- Game counts

Activities that occur regularly are:

- Radio collaring animals
- Relocation, re-introduction of game
- Bird ringing
- Alien plant control

Requirements:

We look for people who want their contribution (in terms of their time and funds) to be effectively utilised in genuine conservation efforts. If you wish to be a part of a professional conservation team, and want to make a real difference and experience important conservation work in Africa, then you are the kind of volunteer we are looking for. We need people who seek hands-on and authentic African wildlife conservation experience. Anyone from the ages of 18 to 70 plus can become a member; all you need is the passion to make a difference, a fair grasp of the English language and to be in reasonably good physical condition. Remember: This is Zululand, not Disneyland!

Highlights

We are active on 3 reserves, each with a slightly different focus. Our work never stops and we are busy 365 days a year. The first thing to remember is that we work in a very dynamic environment, where we help out with various reserve management activities and our movements are also depicted by those of the animals which of course we don't have much control over. An example of this was last week where we were on standby for two days waiting for the game capture team to find a black rhino and calf which needed to be translocated to another game reserve. When they did find her it was an intensive two hour capture operation. In between this we still had to locate and follow up on the cheetah population which resulted in very early mornings and late afternoons out in the field. The team also darted a young male cheetah that needed to have his collar replaced, and all th evolunteers had to be on hand to help get everything done quickly and professionally.

The "normal" grind:

We get up at sunrise and head out to locate the animals for the morning, at this time of the year that means leaving the camp by 6am. We are usually back by the middle of the day to grab some lunch and have a little siesta and then head out again between 2-3pm to follow up on those animals we did not locate in the morning. We are usually back in camp shortly after sunset.

Travel Types

• Off Road / 4X4 Driving
• Ecology
• Nature Tours
• Volunteering
• Safari

Qualifications

- You need to be 18 or older
- In good health or physical condition
- Firm understanding of the English language

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

from USD 450 a week

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Salary/Pay

none

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

A typical volunteer is someone who has the passion to make a difference and seek hands-on and authentic African wildlife conservation experience.

Age Range

18 - 70 yrs old

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of min of 4

Application Process Involves

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• In-Person Interview Required
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

3 days

Wildlife ACT's Mission Statement

Our mission is to help save endangered species from extinction by personally introducing and managing priority species monitoring programmes on game reserves that do not have the means to manage these programmes themselves.

Year Founded

2008