Endangered Species Centre <strong>Province</strong>: Limpopo<br />

Endangered Species Centre

Town: Hoedspruit

Province: Limpopo

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Rate per week: 6000

Duration: 3 weeks

Dates: 03/03/2010 - 23/03/2010 31/03/2010 - 20/04/2010 28/04/2010 - 18/05/2010 26/05/2010 - 15/06/2010 23/06/2010 - 13/07/2010 21/07/2010 - 10/08/2010 18/08/2010 - 07/09/2010 15/09/2010 - 05/10/2010 13/10/2010 - 02/11/2010 10/11/2010 - 30/11/2010 08/12/2010 - 28/12/2010

Introduction: Ensuring our tomorrow by fostering and communicating the belief that the “Power of One is Boundless”. One person can make a difference! The conservation of rare, vulnerable or endangered animals. The breeding of endangered, vulnerable or rare animal species (with a focus on ensuring that breeding programmes are structured in such a manner to ensure the genetic biodiversity of the species in the custodianship of the Centre) The education of learners, students and the general public in conservation and conservation activities The release and establishment of captive-bred cheetahs back into the wild (prospective destinations must exhibit sound environmental and conservation management policies) The promotion of scientific research and development in the wildlife field The generation of funds to assist in the operational costs of the Centre (which makes no profit from its operation). The treatment and rehabilitation of wild animals that are brought to the Centre. The provision of a safe alternative for damage-causing animals on commercial farms, with a view to ultimately introducing them into conservation areas that can accommodate such animals into their management policies.

Location: Located in Limpopo province, South Africa. It is situated in a big 5 game reserve and is only about 40km away from Kruger National Park. It is easily accessible by taking a flight from Johannesburg International to Eastgate Airport at Hoedspruit.

Getting to Project: Volunteers must make their way to Hoedspruit from where they will be collected by the project.

Project: The focus of the programme is on the cheetah and during the course participants are involved with the everyday care of the cheetahs. This includes, cleaning, feeding, and where required, assisting with or observing any veterinary activities that may occur during their stay. The same activities apply to other species being cared for at the centre. The knowledge gained about the animals and work of the centre through this kind of participation is both specific and personal. The Conservation section of the programme involves daily lectures on all major aspects of conservation and includes specialist input on all animals, grasses, trees and basic biodiversity. The Sight Seeing section of the programme is where participants get to put theory into practice either through directed observation in the wild or at other centres that specialise in other areas of research or conservation. The programme is largely based on the interactive involvement of participants, who in the process gain valuable knowledge of and experience in nature conservation.

Animals: Cheetah, Wild dogs, Black-footed cats, Lion, African wild cats, Ground Horn bills, Sable antelope, and other animals

Accommodation: Students are accommodated in thatched huts (each can sleep 2 people) in Nungu Camp - situated within the boundaries of Kapama Private Game Reserve (Big 5). Separate facilities are available for male and female participants. Three meals per day are prepared in the camp – a valuable team building experience. There is a kitchen with fridges in the camp, as well as barbeque facilities. The closest town is Hoedspruit, which is approximately 25km from the reserve. Regular town trips can be organized for supplies, banking or internet facilities. Telephone facilities are available (at participants’ own expense). Laundry facilities are available in the camp. Sunday’s are “off” days, and are spent at leisure.

Program: Hands on experience : Working with cheetah, wild dog, small spotted cats, African wildcats and more. Preparation of animal food and feeding the animals. Possibility of working with the wildlife vet (darting, capturing and operating on animals). Possibility of assisting in the hand-rearing of animals. Local community involvement (e.g. visiting schools in rural areas). Informal lectures on a variety of topics, such as : Conservation Animal identification Plants and ecology Astronomy Survival Fire arm handling and safety Tracks and signs Reptiles Birds South African history and cultural diversity. Anti-Poaching The lectures will be followed by practical exercises - for example: Trip to reptile park Identification of plants on walking excursions Tracking in the bush Trip to local tribal village A trip to Kruger National Park Stargazing Natural and traditional food preparation. Game drives

Program may include: Big 5 walk Bush sleep-out Elephant back safari COMMUNITY WORK As part of the Student's Programme, participants may get involved with lesser privileged communities. In a unique project, the centre has partnered with the rural school of Paulos Ngobeni Primary School, located 25kms from the Centre. Grade 4 learners will have the opportunity to visit the Centre to learn more about endangered wildlife, and the cheetah in particular. They will work closely with the Students as they go about their daily duties. The Grade 4 class of 105 learners will be split into groups and will visit the centre throughout the year. Students will also have the chance to assist the Primary School with much-needed equipment. Funds may be raised by visitors to the Centre, or interested parties

Includes: Accommodation, meals, some excursions

Excludes: Beverages, Excursions

Applicants: 18-35 years For the period January - May 2010, and from July 2010 - December 2010, participants older than 35 are welcome to join the Student's Programme. Must be eager to learn and to participate. Must be prepared to have some fun. Must have a desire to make a difference while gaining invaluable experience and knowledge.

Hours: Sunday’s are “off” days

Freetime: Students will also have the opportunity to visit numerous places of interest and attractions in the area, including the renowned Kruger National Park. Included in the programme is the unique and memorable experience of an elephant-back safari with the resident herd of Camp Jabulani – the herd’s namesake also arrived at the Centre at the age of four months in a terrible state of dehydration and shock (he had been abandoned by his herd after getting stuck in a silt dam). It took a year to nurse him back to health under 24 hour dedicated care.

Volunteers Feedback: "I want to thank you for making the student programme possible. It was a great opportunity for me to spend some weeks at the centre and to actually help you all. I must say that this trip, spending nearly 3 weeks at the centre with the cheetahs, really changed me! Even now, nearly two months after my departure from South Africa, I still feel like going back. Before I arrived at the centre I hardly knew anything about cheetahs. This really changed, the cheetah is my favourite animal by far and I really enjoyed working with them!! I would do nearly anything to go back and help in the conservation of the animals at the centre." "I most enjoyed the contact with cheetahs, the big swing, the lectures and learning how to track animals". "I most enjoyed the feeding of the animals and getting very close to the cheetahs. AND mud bath with Douwlina the rhino". "I love this program especially working with cheetahs, it's an experience I will never forget". "I love the fact that the program included visits to local attractions and learning about the culture in the area, and the amount of input we as students had in the day to day work". "Very well structured program that really offered everything I wanted. I felt at home here, and worked with great people. Thank you". "Too much to mention. Absolutely loved the big swing, the lectures, sleeping out in the bush, the bush walks, close contact with the cheetahs and the elephant back safari". "I most enjoyed the direct contact with the animals, visiting the reptile park, Kruger park, Elephant Back Safaris, game drives, shooting, eating, playing with clyde…." "My time there was a wonderful experience with such great people. Elouise and Ian the Student-Coordinators where so nice! Compliment for such young people with such a big responsIbility!! it was just great for me - I could live there!!!!!!!!!!!! I would just have to import my dog from Switzerland" "Kapama was a great experience. The people were lovely, especially Eloise. The animals were great and I felt i learnt so much, from habitats to the different cultures. it was an eye-opening trip. The program that Eloise put together was brilliant with the right amount of work, lectures and fun. It was very tiring at times as you are out-doors the majority of the time in fierce heat and then you have to be up really early. It is a place I would go back to again." "What I enjoyed most was the direct participation in taking care of the animals. 2) Off-site excursions such as the reptile park and Camp Jabulani. 3) Lectures and participation in events that add to our knowledge & allowed us to learn so much in a short time." "What I enjoyed most was working directly with the cheetahs, participating in darting/ exams/ transport. Also being able to visit other places - especially Jabulani". "Had fun, loved it, will recommend to friends!!! It went too fast though! Thank you for such an amazing opportunity" "I don't want to leave." "All of it was excellent. But for me the best part was to be interacting with the animals at the Centre. I feel honoured to have met them and played a small part in their lives." "This has honestly been the best three weeks of my life! Thanks to everyone, especially Elouise". "The program has been the most amazing three weeks of my life. I've loved meeting all the new people and experiencing South Africa first hand. It's so much more beautiful than I expected. Definitely coming back!" "Surpassed my expectations! I had an absolute blast and time flew by way too quickly." "What I enjoyed most was working with the cheetahs and other animals, learning about tracking, animal/ plant IDs and bush survival skills, and getting a feel of the culture of South Africa". "My advice to future students would be, don't be afraid of jumping in and getting your hands dirty - it will be one of the best experiences of your life!" "I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone at the project. You were all so welcoming and friendly to me and I'm going to miss everyone. I'm hoping to come back and visit at some stage in the near future ... you can't get rid of me that easily!" "I am pleased to be taking lots and lots of memories (and a lot of photos) back to England with me. There have been a lot of amazing experiences, from meeting the elephants at Camp Jabulani to gazing down into Bourke's Luck Potholes. there have also been many hilarious moments: The time Wilma went flying with the meat hook whilst off-loading the truck; Moses spotting a "very special" termite mound in Kruger; watching and re-watching the big swing video "Aaarrgghhhuuurrr!"; Juice's commentary and Chantel in hysterics in the background; Koos's surprised reaction to Lynette's lighter; Jaco teaching me "the secret of fire" hahaha; and Mariella's roller-coaster rides! I have really enjoyed just hanging out in the tea garden, "the tree" or round the fire at Nunge with everyone. The company has been awesome." "It is hard to decide what I enjoyed the most - but it would have to be spending time with the cubs" "In hindsight, there is nothing I would change. Everything has its purpose - even if it is to learn about yourself." "What did I enjoy the most? Feeding the cubs, Veterinary work with Juliette, Game drives, Elephant back safaris. All trips (reptile park, cultural village!!) were very interesting. I enjoyed the most the daily work with the cheetahs". "A huge thank you to everyone here! I loved it, there was always something to do (jampacked) and I have learned so much about myself, other cultures, the animals, and more than I had imagined I would learn. Thank you!" “The part I enjoyed the most was capturing the lions and wild dog, the elephant safari, bush walks…. Too much to mention!” “My overall impression of the project…. Fantastic – really enjoyed it. It has made me want to do more such projects in the future”. “I enjoyed meeting new people, learning new things and getting to interact with the animals” “My message to other students would be to try everything – if you get the opportunity to do new things, do them… (I even held a baboon spider, despite being terrified of them!” “I was happy with the accommodations – comfortable, clean and even though in the middle of the bush – safe. Really nice to have wild animals wandering around….” “Our coordinator was organised, a good laugh and made the programme enjoyable no matter what jobs we were doing.” “I love it here. I don’t want to leave.” “I thought the student programme was brilliant and really gives you an insight into conserving African wildlife and South African culture.” “I loved every moment. Interacting with the animals, seeing South African culture and going on the Panoramic Route.” “I especially enjoyed working closely with the cheetah cubs and visiting Kruger Park.” “I’ve studied biology for two years and have passed 19 exams – and still I learned a lot here. More than I learned in 3 weeks at university. It’s a really good thing to first have a lecture and then the practicals.” “My overall impression of the Centre is that it is professional, educational, fun and friendly.” “My best parts were our game drives (especially Kruger), seeing a rhino capture, meeting cheetah cubs and meeting some wonderful people!”

Contact Tyron for more info +27 83 661 5393