With Nymaria, the Caracal
Why did you choose to volunteer at Bushfellows Private Game Lodge?
I was informed on this programme by a friend of mine who had heard about it through word of mouth. The programme sounded enticing and, as I am a lover of nature, I decided to look further into it.
What was your favorite part about the location of the lodge?
We were located in Limpopo, about an hour away from Marble Hall. I truly enjoyed the peacefulness and serenity of being in such a remote place, as I come from Johannesburg City, which is extremely exacting and industrialized. My favourite part about the location was the abundance of birds, albeit I was there in winter. There is something so serendipitous about sitting on the "stoep" surrounded by the cacophony of bird calls and songs.
What made your program experience unique?
I believe that the unpredictable, impromptu course of events made this programme the most unique. When I applied for the programme I was expecting to experience purely what was stated in the programme (bio-feeding animals, cleaning cages, etc.), what I didn't expect, however, was the thrill of unexpected events occurring every few days.
I could never have dreamed of trying to open a stubborn lock on a gate in a hurry, as there was an unpredictable ostrich just meters away, or having to enter a cage with two wild dogs and eight wild dog puppies, in order to empty their watering pond which was beginning to overflow. The day before I left one of the workers excitedly called one of the rangers, Sarah, on her radio as he had found an injured owl fledgling out in the field; it was exhilarating trying to keep the little guy calm enough to give him some water and softened mince.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
All of the local staff were extremely approachable and kind. The chef, Shanti, always cooked delectable food and took all my eating preferences into consideration. The maintenance man, Matthews, was always ready to help me look for any tool which I required in the process of making/doing something, and all the other staff greeted me with amiable smiles every morning. If I required guidance or opinions in any of my tasks, I felt at ease with asking anybody for help, as they were all so eager to be of assistance.
Bushfellows gardens
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish that I had just sat and spent more time with some of the animals in the rehabilitation centre. It is an extremely idiosyncratic experience to be in such close contact with animals that are usually so unpredictable and wild. I would sit with the caracal, mongooses, African wild cats, and black-backed jackal for a few minutes each day, but I wish that I had spent even more time with them; it is an experience which needs to be embraced and fully utilized.
With Jaki, the Black-Backed Jackal
What was a typical day like for you?
Morning meetings began at approximately 6:45 a.m. every morning, where general information and news would be discussed by all the staff. I would wake up at 6:00 a.m., as this would give me enough time to eat breakfast outside while watching the beautiful colours lighting up the sky as the sun began to rise.
After the morning meeting I would go through to the kitchen and prepare three eggs, which would be used to feed the jackal and bat-eared fox, while either Jade or Sarah made coffee for us. I then fed the banded mongooses, jackal, bat-eared fox, caracal, iguanas, and tortoises. After the animals had eaten I would collect and wash their food bowls, followed by picking up the faeces in the cages and doing a general clean out. After this process I would go feed the koi fish and throw bird seeds out to the mass of birds, which were always eagerly awaiting my arrival.
At 12:00 p.m. I would go collect my lunch from the kitchen and take it up to my room for an hour lunch break. After the lunch break we would do any tasks required of us, followed by the feeding of the lions and wild dogs. This was the most enjoyable time of day for me as I needed to leave the resort and walk into the bush to get to the lion's cage. I loved this as I could enjoy the tranquillity of nature, followed by the eager expressions on the animal's faces as they knew their supper had arrived.
I would finish work at 4:00 p.m. and go up my room where I would either read a book or spend some time with the two rangers. I would generally go to bed soon after supper, as I would be exhausted from the strenuous day's activities.
What was one of your favorite activities at your placement?
I was given a lot of independence in terms of creating enrichment for the animals. I revelled in this and spent a good deal of my time trying to think of innovative toys or activities for the animals which would attempt to bring out their natural instincts. It was always so rewarding to see the animals engage in their natural instincts, when they understood the activity. It could be exceedingly entertaining to watch the animal’s reactions when they had no idea what was required of them and simply stared at the toy, completely baffled by its existence. I was also in charge of building a house for the bat-eared fox, which I would work on whenever I had free time.
Little house for the Bat-Eared Fox
What was your accommodation like? What was your favorite part about it?
I was staying in the volunteer house, which is comprised of three bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room. It was large and spacious, with a small balcony outside. My favourite part of it was definitely the balcony, as I could see straight into the bush from it. I also liked the positioning of the house, as it was surrounded by trees, between which thick-tailed bush babies used to jump around.
How has your program experience impacted your life?
I have been enlightened on many aspects of the bush, which has given me the ability to have some vastly educational conversations regarding nature and conservation. I feel like my horizons have expanded and my mind has been opened to how differently things function in comparison to the city.