Program Photos
Elephant Care and Research in South Africa
Location: South Africa: Rural Areas
Program Duration: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: starts on the first and third Monday of every month
Personal Overseas Development (PoD)
Formal House 60 St George's Place Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3PN England
Call Us
Phone: 01242 250 901
Description
A fantastic opportunity to work hands on with elephants as well as helping an active research team. The project introduces you to the magnificent African Elephant; you will be caring for these animals as well as researching them creating the elephant experience of a lifetime!
The project allows you to work closely with the elephants on a daily basis. This creates an awe-inspiring experience as you will be contributing to all aspects of elephant research, education, husbandry and conservation. As you are based in a large park, volunteers are able to get involved in all aspects including research, marketing, functions, maintenance, training, and guiding.
The research you do will contribute to ongoing research at the park. This is necessary as there is a significant lack of research carried out on captive elephants in South Africa. The project is also ideally located along the Garden Route which offers great prospects for your free time and it the ideal place to start a longer travelling trip.
Volunteer jobs are varied but include the following elephant care tasks:
* Preparing food for the elephants
* Preparing milk bottles and feeding baby elephants (this will depend on when volunteers are at the park and if there are any babies at the time)
* General maintenance eg mucking out pens, general cleaning, painting
* Helping elephant guides during tours
* Environmental education
* Assisting with veterinary care (when necessary)
One of the volunteers main activities will be assisting with research, this depends on the research being conducted at the time but could include monitoring behaviour, recording social interactions, night time observations, botanical surveys, studying feeding behaviour, dung, urine and other sampling for analysis, data input and analysis and the compilation of educational presentations.
Highlights
* Work hands on with elephants
* Living in a beautiful 110 hectare park
* Located on the Garden Route
Volunteers are an important part of the park and its research unit. They enable the park to include more animals in their studies and to study these animals for longer periods of time.
Having volunteers to assist with the research has allowed the park to include additional projects into their schedule. The knowledge gained from this research adds to the advice they are able to provide for the optimal care and management of captive elephants.
Volunteers help the elephant staff to feed and care for twelve elephants which is no small task!
There is also a personal satisfaction gained when the elephants start to recognise you and trust you; you will become part of the herd!
Volunteers also act as ambassadors for the park and its elephants by helping to spread the word about elephants and their research, welfare and conservation issues.
Qualifications
There are no qualifications required for this project.
Languages
- English
Cost in US$:
2 weeks: GBP 595, 3 weeks: GBP 745, 4 weeks: GBP 895, extra weeks: GBP 160
Cost Include Description:
* A comprehensive information booklet and pre-departure support
* Travel advice and assistance
* Being met on arrival at George Airport
* Accommodation (shared room)
* Return transfer to George Airport at the end of your stay
* Ongoing support, help and advice from our local team
Credit Available
no
Volunteer Types
- animal welfare
- conservation
- research
- wildlife surveying
- volunteering
Age Range
18+This Program is open to
Worldwide, American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African Participant. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements
- Dormitory
Participants Travel to South Africa
Independently
Application Process Involves
- Written Application
Personal Overseas Development (PoD)'s Mission Statement
PoD is a leading non-profit organization arranging ethical, inspiring and supported volunteering opportunities around the world. Established in 2001, our aim is to support ongoing projects with our partners in Belize, Cambodia, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam by providing passionate and committed volunteers. We work with long term projects that we know personally and where there is genuine benefit to local communities. A placement with PoD will not only develop volunteer's skills and confidence, get them out of their comfort zone and exploring incredible parts of the world but also the ability make a genuine difference. We currently offer gap year, career break, working holiday, volunteer projects and school expeditions from 1 week to 6 months with year round departures. We offer a personal and professional service drawing on years of experience from staff in the UK and overseas. Volunteers are needed to help work with disadvantaged children, communities, animals and conservation projects including: caring for elephants and wild animals; joining an Amazon jungle conservation project; scuba diving and marine conservation; community building projects; volunteering at orphanages and care homes; teaching English and running summer English camps. PoD believes in providing challenging, safe and fun experiences for individuals and groups to enjoy. We are passionate about giving volunteers of all ages the opportunity to use their energy, enthusiasm and personality where it counts.
Year Founded
2001
