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White Lion Breeding
Project Volunteer
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What a opportunity
to work with lion cubs, the park has regular litters of cubs as a
breeding centre, so you will almost be guaranteed to work with cubs
and seeing new born cubs ,
Working as a volunteer
you will have the rare opportunity of hand rearing lion cubs of
different ages. Hand rearing means being responsible for the cubs’
well being. This is a amazing experience working with white lions.
 THE PROJECT:
Working as a volunteer you will have the rare opportunity of hand
rearing lion cubs of different ages. Hand rearing means being
responsible for the cubs’ well being. Giving the cubs comfort,
feeding them with milk formula from a bottle. Replacing their
mother in all ways. Doing the mothers’ job of assisting them
to urinate and defecate. (For at least the first three weeks
as they cannot do this for themselves). Cuddling and just
sitting with them you will enjoy your days in the company of the
most sociable of all cats. They love to fall asleep on your
lap! Your days on Cub’s duty will include making the various
feed mixtures and preparing meat for the various age groups and
having interaction with the paying public coming to see the cubs.
Interacting with the public extends to assisting our talented
restaurant staff during busy periods or functions.
 THE
LIONS:
The lion population in the Park is approximately
65, of which nearly 25 are sub-adults and cubs. All the lion cubs
born at the Park are hand-reared. The cubs have been inoculated
against all known feline diseases including rabies, and have all
been tested and found to be free of feline aids and TB. All the
cubs are micro-chipped. The Park boasts in excess of forty species of
wildlife. Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Impala, Blesbok, Duiker,
Monkeys, etc.
ACCOMMODATION:
The lodges
are located between the lion enclosures. Volunteers share
four persons per cabin, each cabin has its own bathroom. There is a kitchen
and TV lounge at the cabins to relax.
THE
PROGRAM:
The centre is a haven
not only for lions but also several species of wildlife,
including Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Tigers, Caracals, Meerkat and antelope, including Springbok.
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Working as a
volunteer you will be involved in many aspects of conservation
and lion care.
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When we do have
lion cubs you will have the rare opportunity of caring for them
this means being responsible for the cubs’ well being.
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Giving the cubs
comfort, feeding them with milk formula from a bottle.
Replacing their mother in all ways. Doing the mothers’ job of
assisting them to urinate and defecate. (For at least the first
three weeks as they cannot do this for themselves).
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Cuddling and
just sitting with them. Interacting with the public extends to
assisting our talented restaurant staff during busy periods or
functions.
Other volunteer
tasks include :
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Daily
Conservation course on fauna and flora in the region as well as
identification of mammals, wildlife spoor, animal dung etc.
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Assisting with
upkeep of the small reserve such as road maintenance, removal
alien vegetation etc.
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Upkeep and
improvement of lion enclosures for all lions.
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Walking lions
on a daily basis, at times with paying clients.
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Assisting with
community projects in the area at least 1 day a week.
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Observing and
studying the lion cubs and their behaviour, cubs are very
individual and even the litters vary.
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Checking reserve and boundaries for snares.
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Preparing lions for re-introduction program.
VOLUNTEERS MUST KNOW BEFORE ARRIVAL
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The breeding centre
does not always have baby lions available. Please
verify if that is the main reason you are coming.
See the forum to see when cubs have arrived
or are expected
http://bookingsouthafrica.com/forums/index.php?board=9.0
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The project is not
located somewhere in the typical bushveld as seen on TV
but in a reserve set in 120 hectares of superb coastal
forest overlooking the Indian Ocean, and 25kms from
town.
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The centre is a haven
not only for lions but also several species of wildlife,
including Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Tigers, Caracals, Meerkat and antelope, including Springbok.
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The centre has in the
past made most of its income from tourists, both local
and international, as well as schools coming for an
educational day trip. Visitors visit the centre to get
real close to the animals, especially the lions. In some
cases, to even hold the baby lions. This has made it
possible for the centre to sustain itself over the last
15 years.
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We cannot change the
above as the income from the volunteers alone will not
sustain the centre. Therefore, volunteers will
interact with the paying public, as part of their daily
duties at this project.
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The project takes
place at a legal registered, commercial lion breeding
centre where lions are bred for:
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Private reserves
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Zoo’s around the
world
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Long term future
re-introduction programs
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We do not get involved
or interfere with the breeding, but simply assist in :
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Caring and feeding
the young lion cubs
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Exercising the
young lions through walking
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Monitoring the
actions & interaction of the young lions where and
when required
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Feeding all the
animals including the lions young and old alike.
(That means working with raw meat.)
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Interacting
with the paying public on a daily basis
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Helping with
maintaining the property (hard work & weather
permitting)
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Caring for the
other wildlife on the property which includes
injured or orphaned animals brought into the park.
Most of them are released into the Park
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We teach you about
wildlife that used to traverse these areas freely
and many still do in reserves like Addo Elephant
National Park
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We ask volunteers to respect the breeders
methods and profession as they have been doing this for
more than 12 years with great success and respect from
Wildlife Conservation experts in the industry.
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We really do
appreciate any positive input you may have as to how we
can make things better for the centre and all its
occupants, both animal and human.
Meals
All
meals are provided and thus are included in your program fees.
We
welcome all vegetarians and vegans as well as any other special
dietary requirements.
You
will also be required to prepare your own meals.
Training
All training is provided by qualified
staff, which includes: researchers, Field guides, animal care
specialists and animal trackers.
Communication
Internet access is available for
emergency purposes, and is charged at the going rate. This must be
booked in advance. If you take your own laptop, you can use the
telephone link in the restaurant. You must bring your own converter
and adapter.
Medical
All
volunteers must arrive with a medical & travel insurance. We have
hospitals and medical clinics nearby and we can get normal medical
care within a reasonable time. Medical rescue is available in most
countries in Africa - please ensure your medical aid will cover
that.
Volunteers can have rabies & anti-tetanus injections should they
wish. Many areas in Africa have a malaria risk, should you travel
afterwards it is best to take something for MALARIA. We suggest you
consult your local doctor for malaria medication. The area mentioned
above are free of Malaria.
Requirements
· Dress
code for most projects should be natural colour clothing. (Rules of
the project should be respected to avoid expulsion from the
program.)
· Wildlife
rehabilitation, re-introduction is a sensitive program where
Wildlife are encouraged to return to the wild (if possible)
therefore contact with animals is sometimes limited unless the
animal is injured, orphaned or needing to be nursed.
· There
is age restriction of min. 17yrs and max 45 yrs but applicants are
expected to be physically able to complete tasks and generally get
involved with the rest of the younger group of volunteers.
· A
basic English understanding is required. Should there be an
applicant with poor English command he/she must be accompanied by
applicant of the same language or attend our language school.
· Our
programs are open to anyone who has an interest in Africa her
Wildlife & her people.
What
Happens to my Fees
Volunteer’s fees pay for the following:
Accommodation & meals
Training in basic Conservation and animal care
Project 24 hour support
Donations to WESSA (Wildlife Environment Society of South Africa)
Donations to Endangered Wildlife Trust
Money received from volunteers for these projects is used amongst
other things to :
o Build
new & better breeding & recovery units for wild animals in our care.
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Improve the general conditions of the project
o Meat
for breeding lions
o Milk
formula for baby lions
o Purchase
much needed yet expensive drugs for wildlife (inoculations etc)
o Electric
fencing for re-introduction programs
o Radio
collars and tracking devices for monitoring wildlife
o Dart
gun and drugs
o Upliftment
of rural classrooms
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Maintenance of electric fencing around breeding
enclosures
o Purchase
of Wildlife to stock re-introduction areas.
o Purchase
of vehicles to monitor wildlife
The Project
try and keep their fees as low as possible yet enough to make this a
viable and sustainable project. We currently employ 31 people in
Africa and our profits stay in Africa where it boosts our very own
economy and creates jobs for the rural people of Africa.
This
project is proud to be the first and largest Youth Adventure Company
actually making a difference in Africa. We care for our people,
wildlife and our continent and wish to make it a better place for
all. We support our volunteers by:
· Running
a 24-hour back-up service to volunteers any place any time while in
Africa you can call our hotline for tips, assistance and a chat.
· Operating
regular phone checks with you (where possible).
· Contacting
your family and loved ones at home, and letting them know how you’re
doing (on request only) |
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Please note that
you can extend for any length of time
(min 2 weeks)
£
399
per week
● Accommodation
(shared 4 Sleeper Log Cabins
● Transfers to and from Port Elizabeth
●
Donation towards lion conservation
●
All meals
●
Airport Transfers to and from Port Elizabeth airport
Please note that
you can extend for any length of time
(min 2 weeks)
We recommend staying four weeks at the project
This project can be joined at any time of
the year.
Please
note that we can no longer have volunteers arriving or departing over the
weekend, and if volunteers arrive a day early, or depart a day
after their given dates, they will have to overnight in PE.
We recommend arriving on a Monday
This project is open to
anyone between the age of 18 and 35, fairly fit and in good health.
The Project is located 25
km from Port Elizabeth South Africa, Volunteers must arrange their
flights to and from Port Elizabeth airport
Work days will be
weekdays from 7-5 with two days of per week to relax or explore the area,
there are a selection of day excursions you can join to surrounding
Game Farms and attractions.
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