environment jobs Est. in 1994. Delivering Environment Jobs for 30 years
This job listing is no longer active.
Please use our Environment Jobs Search to find current vacancies.
Title | Kariega Big Five Game Reserve Volunteer Programme, South Africa |
Posted |
|
|
Description |
The Kariega Big Five Game Reserve Volunteer Programme offers a once in a lifetime chance to get behind the scenes and involved with the conservation efforts of the Game Reserve. Wildlife conservation volunteers take part in lion prey selection monitoring, researching Cape Leopards, rhino surveys, elephant impact monitoring, conservation management and local community projects. The Reserve is located in a malaria-free environment. Wildlife Research Internship opportunities also available. Volunteers can join year round from 2 to 12 weeks in duration. We have places in 2013 and 2014 available. Individuals, groups and students doing research all welcome. Cost includes comfortable accommodation on the reserve, food, training & supervision, use of BBQ, plunge pool, laundry; starts at £720. The ProjectCome and join Kariega Game Reserve as a wildlife conservation volunteer or wildlife research intern. Make a real difference, grow your skills in conservation and have the experience of a lifetime! Kariega is an extraordinary and exciting conservation project, at the forefront of numerous species reintroductions and conservation initiatives, including a Leopard monitoring programme in collaboration with a renowned academic institution. Joining this programme offers the ultimate Big Five experience, where volunteers and interns from across the world, get the opportunity to get hands-on involved in conservation management on the reserve. During your stay with us, you may see yourselves as “Assistant Conservation Managers”, as all the work done and data collected by you will be utilized by Kariega for conservation on the reserve.
Wildlife Conservation Volunteer ProgrammeWildlife conservation volunteers will be provided with stimulating practical experience in the following four areas: Research, Conservation Management, Education and Community Development. Research ProjectsElephant Impact Monitoring Population Status of Leopards Kariega Game Reserve is one of the oldest of these private nature reserves. These shifts suggest that the landscape is now more leopard-friendly, with decreased persecution and increased refuge areas. This project aims to assess the status of leopards in the Lower Albany area and investigate the role of the Kariega Game Reserve as a refugee habitat for leopards, which may move across the Lower Albany area. We are fortunate to have the support of the Centre for African Conservation Ecology of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University on this project. We are currently trying to establish how many leopards occur on Kariega Game Reserve. We have movement sensor cameras in place on the reserve and it is one of the Wildlife Volunteer Programme’s tasks to monitor these cameras, change memory cards and record all images taken. The cameras are moved around the property on a regular basis, to increase the chance of leopard sightings. Lion Prey Selection Monitoring Rhino Monitoring Birds in Reserve Project (BIRP) Wildlife Conservation Internships Conservation ManagementConservation management activities form a large part of the wildlife volunteer programme. Some of these activities involve physical work and therefore a certain level of determination from the volunteer’s side is required. Keep in mind that the "reserve needs" are always taken into account and you will help to fulfil those needs as a volunteer. Daily activities are interesting and varied, and could include assistance with some of the following:
Conservation volunteers may also have the opportunity to experience the following additional conservation activities: Capturing of Wild Animals Game Introduction Fire Management Education / TheoryEach volunteer will be given a field booklet, which can be taken home at the end of the placement. Before you start with each practical task, the relative theoretical background on the subject will be discussed in the form of informal lectures. The theory provides insight into the value of the practical activities in which you may participate. Mammal, plant and bird checklists are included in the booklet and will help you to identify different species at Kariega. Practical education will be provided throughout your stay:
Community DevelopmentWe have identified an under-funded farm school near the reserve where our volunteer programme can make a real difference. The school is small, yet very under-staffed and local kids aged 4 to 15 years attend the school. Volunteers visit the school one day a week (not during school holidays or rainy days (most of the children walk about 10 km to attend school so if it rains, no one goes to school!), and make valuable contributions to the children’s education. Our volunteers take many of the classes themselves and teach 6-12 year olds subjects like English, Maths and Science. You might also help with the maintenance of the school’s facilities or by giving sport lessons to the kids. A recent group of volunteers renovated a classroom (with a completely collapsed ceiling and floorboards!) for the pre-primary school kids. Your contribution here is real, and both the children and the headmistress are very appreciative. Volunteer SupervisionYour dedicated volunteer coordinator will endeavour to ensure that you have a wonderful learning experience and leave with a stronger understanding of conservation issues feeling like you made an important contribution. Our volunteers also get the opportunity to explore South Africa’s amazing coastline as Kariega is a mere 16 km from the sea... the beautiful Indian Ocean is literally on your doorstep! This coastline has particularly rich marine fauna and flora as well as endless sand dunes and beautiful beaches.
For more details, please visit our website. |