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| Title | Tsau! White Lion Conservation Volunteer Project, South Africa |
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| Description |
Volunteers and interns form part of the conservation monitoring and tracking team, and have a rare opportunity to gain authentic field experience whilst making a valuable contribution to the long-term conservation of the white lions. You can participate in a range of projects including Lion Monitoring, Anti-Poaching Activities, Scientific Research and Environmental Education You can join for 1 week up to 12 weeks all year round and we have places all throughout 2013 and 2014 available. Individuals, groups, students doing research all welcome. The ProjectVolunteers can participate in a range of projects whilst on the programme, including:
The focus of the scientific aspect is on daily monitoring (dawn and dusk) of the two prides reintroduced to free-roaming conditions in their endemic habitat. The project offers an exclusive opportunity for suitable volunteers to form part of the conservation monitoring and tracking team. As such, volunteers need to be very dynamic and adaptable to the changing day-to-day needs of the project. Candidates have a real opportunity to gain authentic field experience, whilst making a valuable contribution to the long-term conservation of the white lions. Opportunities for research students/internships are also available - please email us for more details. Project DetailsLion Monitoring Anti-Poaching Activities
Fence maintenance and fence patrol with the security team
Dawn, dusk and midnight security patrols Study of anti-poaching techniques (*) Habitat Management Bush thinning
Erosion control Gabion construction Alien plant control Lion Predation Activities Supplementary feeding (during boma bonding) Boma clearing Game capture and release (*) Scientific Research Predator / prey study
Data capturing of research information Community Development Community activities including: nature walks and hikes through the mountains, community involvement, playing football
Working with local schools including: language and culture swap, White Lion Poetry Exploration Project, Drumming and Traditional Dancing Eco-Educational programme (*) Organic food-growth programme (*) Eco-Construction of dwellings (*) (*) when available.
Please note: As a serious reintroduction project, hands-on contact is avoided in the best interests of the animals, except when tranquilised for veterinary treatment or the fitting of radio-collars. Please be cautioned that cub-petting and animal habituation to humans is associated with captive breeding (making reintroduction unlikely to succeed), and often, unfortunately, with “canned” (unethical) hunting activities. Extra Activities for Volunteers:
BackgroundThis programme is run by a South African based non-profit organisation with a dual conservation and community objective. On the conservation side, they have been implementing the White Lion Protection Plan™, which includes the world-first reintroduction of White Lions back to their natural habitat in the Greater Timbavati region, and their long-term survival there. On the community side, they have initiated eco-educational programmes, cultural revival programmes and social upliftment initiatives in an effort to ensure that this rare White Lion heritage is protected in perpetuity.(*Tsau! Is a San / Bushman incantation for Lion.)
As an organisation, they respect the cultures of indigenous peoples, and their spiritual beliefs. It is recommended (although not imperative) that volunteers read the book, Mystery of the White Lions, before joining the programme. This book was written by the Founder of the programme, Linda Tucker, and is based on 10 years of primary research with indigenous elders and scientists. It considers the mythological/ legendary aspects of the White Lions, as well as the scientific. Volunteers are given the choice of engaging more deeply in the cultural/spiritual aspects of the White Lion heritage; furthering scientific pursuits; or simply enjoying the wide spread of activities. The White Lion Trust's research objectives are based on those of the IUCN. In 2002, when the White Lion Trust was first established, there were no known White Lion individuals remaining in the wild in the Greater Timbavati and this had been the status for the past decade. With a critical need to supplement the White Lion gene in the wild, the White Lion Trust launched its world-first White Lion Reintroduction Programme.Today (2009) the Reintroduction Progamme can be considered successful as the founding pride hunts self-sufficiently and is reproducing without human intervention.
Lodging, Food, Travel, Health, Timbavati RegionFood and accommodation: Each participant will contribute R200.00 (£15) a week for communal grocery shopping. There will be a weekly town trip to purchase groceries and supplies. Transport related to any additional (non-WLT) activities is not included; independent shuttle/car hire companies are available from the nearest town (Hoedspruit) at your own expense. Volunteer requirements:
Please note: this project is not intended / ideal for ‘gap year’ students. Student volunteers need to be hard-working, emotionally mature, have an openness to personal growth; and a willingness to benefit from the unique opportunities and challenges of this valuable project which is breaking ground both scientifically and culturally. Of course, the real value and appreciation of the experience remains the responsibility of the individual.
All field data collected will contribute to research being done by the Lion Ecologist for a PhD study on White Lion Reintroduction, Ecology and Adaptation to their Natural Environment. For appropriately qualified individuals, research topics may be available. Topics include: data analysis; lion behavioural ecology; feeding ecology; spatial dynamics; reintroduction methodology; and predator-prey dynamics, thereby making a valuable contribution to the WLT’s ongoing efforts to have the White Lions protected through scientific research. For more details, please email Vicky McNeil. Getting there Health Passport and visa
A valid passport with at least 2 blank pages in it, is necessary to enter South Africa. Since visa requirements vary from country to country, please check with your local embassy as to whether a visa is required to enter South Africa.
Dangerous animals Every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of all volunteers on our programme, but volunteers must be aware that there are dangerous animals such as poisonous snakes, scorpions, spiders, as well as lion, leopard and spotted hyaena. Facilities, Amenities In Hoedspruit, the following are available: medical centre, pharmacy, three large grocery stores, bush clothing stores, banking facilties & ATM’s (Visa / Electron/ Maestro), restaurants, internet café, camera store, and general wholesaler (bedding, linen, crockery, cutlery). The Timbavati Region - Geography and ClimateGeography
The Timbavati Region is located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, bordering the world famous Kruger National Park. It is at the centre of the Kruger 2 Canyons Biosphere Reserve, the third largest biosphere (conservation region) in the world. The nearest town is Hoedspruit. Climate
The Timbavati Region is situated in a summer rainfall area of South Africa. The climate is typified by a summer wet season, which is roughly confined to the period from October to March, with the majority of precipitation occurring from December to February. The remainder of the year tends to be dry, with rare occurrences of precipitation. Temperatures tend to be high during the day, but they drop at night by 10 to 15ºC. A mean daily maximum temperature for the wet season (October to March) is 32.6 ºC and the mean daily minimum temperature is 20.5 ºC. The mean daily maximum temperature for the dry season (April to September) is 28.4 ºC and the mean daily minimum temperature is then 10.8 ºC. |
