BIG 5 GAME RESERVE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROJECT | Volunteer Project

Volunteer on this beautiful Eastern Cape Big 5 Game Reserve, where you will play an integral park in the reserves varied wildlife conservation work. You will be working and living in the beautiful wilderness with spectacular scenery, sunlit grassy savannah plains, waterholes and the winding Bushman's River. The reserve is continuously monitoring and managing game throughout the year and as a volunteer you will assisting on various ongoing projects including lion health and breeding monitoring, animal tracking using telemetry, Big 5 identification, wildlife translocation. You will also be involved in local community up-liftment projects including schools conservation education and local orphanage activities. Volunteers will also spend time camping out under the stars learning about bush survival, kayaking, target shooting and much more. As part of this fantastic volunteer project you will spend one night in pure luxury at the 5 star game lodge.

General Information

Feel the heartbeat and rhythm of Africa at this beautiful Big 5 Game Reserve, which has quickly become one of the finest visitor destinations in the Eastern Cape wilderness. This malaria free reserve boasts the Big Five - lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo. Volunteers will also work with a variety of antelope and other species such as giraffe, warthog and jackal that roam the plains. There are numerous birds (from the smallest starlings and radiant sunbirds to the large raptors and fish eagles). A remarkable aspect of this reserve is that it has six of the seven biomes represented in Southern Africa and therefore the highest diversity of veld types in the country. It is a game reserve that will leave you in awe of life's abundance, beauty and spectacular scenery.

The Conservation Volunteer Programme

The Conservation volunteer project is for those seeking an experience which will enable them to explore and experience first hand a new ecosystem and all its inhabitants. Many of our volunteers want to be involved in the conservation of endangered species, the maintenance of bio-diversity or scientific research in a particular habitat. All aspects of conservation are addressed in this project - the longer your stay the more in depth your experience will be. We recommend an 8 week stay to fully experience the African bush and its wildlife.

The reserve is continuously monitoring and managing game throughout the year. As a conservation volunteer you will assist 'behind the scenes' on various ongoing conservation projects and reserve priorities. Our duty is to provide the correct and up to date scientific information on the reserve and its animals to the people who make the life changing decisions within the reserve.

The conservation department whom you will assist includes: Dr. Jennifer Gush (Wildlife and Research Scientist) Giles Gush (Wildlife manager); Dr William Fowlds (Veterinarian); Will van Duyn (Carnivore specialist). As well as the Woodbury Conservation Education Centre; the Bushman's Research Centre and the Born Free Rehabilitation Centre.

This project provides an insight into the environmental issues and management of a game reserve. The main focus is having fun while doing valuable conservation and rehabilitating the land back to its natural environment. The volunteers are also acquainted with the techniques of collecting, analysing and disseminating information on ecological aspects. The course will also allow participants to interact with each other in a life changing environment whilst contributing towards conservation.

As a conservation volunteer our primary responsibility is managing the lions. You will also have the chance to assist with many ongoing short and long-term projects on the reserve. Reserve priorities at any one time may continuously change dependent on many external influences; your involvement in certain projects thus may be affected. Therefore the longer your placement the more in depth your involvement across many facets of conservation and reserve maintenance.

Current Long Term Projects

Lion Health and Breeding Monitoring
Animal Welfare and Care
Game counts
Predator ID, Elephant ID, Rhino ID
Animal Tracking using Telemetry
Territorial Ranges and Feeding Ranges
Local Community Up-liftment and FOOD 4 THOUGHT projects
Service to the Children Aids Foundation
Local School Conservation Education
General Reserve Maintenance including:

Erosion Control, Wetland Rehabilitation, Fence Patrol and Maintenance, Vehicle Maintenance, Indigenous and FOOD 4 THOUGHT Nurseries, Herbarium, Alien Plant Control, Bush Clean and Clear ups, Road and Boma Maintenance, Educational and Biological Museum, Birding Lists

Current Short Term Projects

Game Capture, counts and monitoring
Giraffe and Elephant ID and competition assessment
Medicinal use of plants and vegetation biomes
Guided walks, tracking and trails through the Reserve
Nocturnal Predator Activities
Entomology Collection
Hyena Den sites
Plains game impact assessments
Cheetah coalition and behaviour
Monitoring the release and impacts of lion
Instinct or habituation of antelope to lion release

Other Activities:

Bush Survival – Camping out under the stars and survival (Weather dependent)
First Aid Training
Navigation and Compass orientation
Target Shooting
Updating Project information onto the computer
Report writing
Kayaking, Boating, Fishing
One night Luxury Lodge Experience
Crocodile catching
Post mortems
Darting and rehabilitation

Project Objectives

Predator Monitoring

Radio collars on the Lions, Cheetah and Hyenas are used in tracking their territorial ranges which will be used in the management decisions.

The primary focus of the Conservation Volunteers is to monitor and manage our lions. This involves tracking and assessing the general health of lions three times a week. It also involves maintaining the support and structure of the electrified fences around the lion reserve. Volunteers therefore acquire a personal bond with the lions.

Lion History:

The male and female lion have formed a breeding alliance and have now had cubs, they can be found in 1000 ha breeding boma. The pride is soon to be moved to the main reserve where they will be able to hunt larger prey like Wildebeest or Zebra. The male lion is 3 years of age and the female is 3.5 years.

Spotted Hyena History:

Three-spotted hyenas have just recently been released on the main reserve. History between the hyena and lions shows interspecific competition of considerate proportions between the two species. Although the hyena population is small at present a breeding program has been stimulated and is monitored consistently so that populations are well below the carrying capacity of the reserve as to prevent future competition between these two prime hunters. When lions are relocated into the main reserve monitoring the competition between hyenas, lions, and the productivity of breeding will be an interesting project that will provide vital information to managers.

Black-back jackal History:

Jackal numbers are low however they are doing well on the reserve in the absence of predators. Scavenger and secondary predator management will be reviewed along with predator activities on the reserve once the large cats have been introduced. We anticipate that, once the effects of the change in land usage begin to be felt, endemic predators like the Cape Vulture will return.

Cheetah History:

A female with three female cubs along with three males exists on the reserve. The cheetah will impact on the plains game thereby controlling the numbers of impala and blesbok, which have already reached capacity on many parts of the reserve. It is also expected that the presence of cheetah will disperse the high game densities away from points of concentration.

Key Objectives in Predator Monitoring:

Herbivore Monitoring

The number of species within an ecosystem is an important characteristic of a community. Communities with higher species diversity are inclined to be more stable than communities with lower species diversity. The greater number of plant species within the thicket biome is able to sustain a larger diversification of primary consumers. Therefore, the trophic pyramid becomes more stable.

Key Objectives in Herbivore Monitoring:

Erosion Control

South Africa loses 40 to 60 tons of topsoil per hectare of land per year due to erosion. This amounts to 500 million tons of topsoil per annum. Erosion occurs naturally due to wind, water, and drought. It can also be caused due to poor farming management – ploughing incorrectly and overgrazing. Different methods of soil erosion prevention can be used. This includes the building of gabions (wire structures filled with stones) in dongas and contour work (brush packing) at sites where erosion occurs. This is done to increase the rate of re-growth of pioneer vegetation, which will stabilise the soil allowing climax species to settle. It also prevents topsoil run-off and allows water to be absorbed by the soil instead of causing flooding.

Wetland and Watering Hole Rehabilitation

Watering holes are the heart and soul of an ecosystem providing life for all wildlife. This project ascertains that man-made wetlands and watering holes providing an essential source of water to a water deficient landscape is a stable self-supporting ecosystem. The management therefore includes that only indigenous fauna and flora are re-introduced to these areas, thereby providing habitats for an abundance of insect and bird life.

Alien Plant Control

All species of alien plants should be removed, for the following reasons: They often out-compete indigenous flora, thereby forming impenetrable thickets reducing available fodder to grazers and browsers. In addition to this impact on the environment, their presence in the area is unnatural and often not aesthetically pleasing. Their natural enemies are often left behind in the country of origin and there is thus no biological control exercised on the alien population. Methods of eradication include: foliar spray; stump treatment; herbicide injection; however mechanical removal, fire and biological agents are preferred eradication methods utilised on the Game Reserve.

General Reserve Maintenance

General reserve maintenance are ongoing projects that assist reserve management. They may include: fence patrols checking for snares or faults, filling holes created by aardvark or porcupines, brush-packing closed roads, seeding eroded areas, searching for permanent water sites, clearing old fences and alien vegetation control etc¼

Community Up-Liftment Projects

Four projects are currently running, these include:

Children Aids Orphanage
FOOD 4 THOUGHT Programme
Community School Education
Animal Welfare and Animal Care

The Children Aids Orphanage:

The Paterson Children's Aids Orphanage has between 12 and 30 children of ages 4-12 at any one time. Two dedicated locals manage the orphanage and provide hope, love and life to these children relying on miracles to get by. Volunteers collect clothing, carpets, food etc and offer weekly service to the orphanage organising jumble sales, from which the revenue is used to uplift the environment of the orphanage. Volunteers entertain the children organising games and activities. Should you have any donations in the form of household goodies, clothes, food, it would be very much appreciated.

The FOOD 4 THOUGHT Programme

Volunteers have begun planting an herb and vegetation nursery and have intentions of training the community to become self sustaining in a manner of providing for themselves as well as running a business in the goods that they sell. Volunteers will be responsible for the fertilising and maintenance of this nursery.

The Community School Education Programme

The game reserves founding family dating back to the 1820 has built the Reed Valley School, where children of the game reserve staff attend. Volunteers conduct regular conservation based lectures and outings with the children.

The Animal Welfare and Animal Care Programme

This is the latest project undertaken by the volunteers. It is very much an implementing idea at this stage. Animal care is pretty much non-existent especially within the rural communities. Costs of having a pet spayed or neutered are simply unaffordable and therefore animal sickness and an over-population is rife. Volunteers together with Animal Welfare are in the process of setting up a relief and educational programme whereby pets from the community will be washed and general health conditions treated at a fraction of a normal vet price. Locals will be educated about pet diseases and measures to combating them. This pilot project has started off with the successful care of 'Ralphie / Big Foot', a beagle of 14 years, which has been walking on three legs for the past 7 years. He now is an active watch dog and friend of the volunteers.

Other relaxing and fun activities:

Bush Survival (Weather dependent)

Bush survival involves choosing a suitable camp site on the game reserve. Preparations (such as wood collecting, cleaning the camp, collecting water, preparing the food etc) during the daylight hours ensure that camping out under the stars around a fire and basic survival in the bush is relaxing and soulful. This experience is unforgettable!

Navigation and Compass orientation

This activity involves the volunteers learning how to navigate during the day using signs of the bush and the stars by night. Compass skills are essential when lost in the bush, and these useful skills are refined and adapted for the African Bush.

Boating

Volunteers also have the opportunity to sail along the Bushman's River in a lovely boat, where the glossy water and wake from the boat, lap the river bank. Over hanging forest and luscious vegetation grace the embankments which provide abundant habitats to a variety of frog, reptile, bird and mammal species. All this can be seen on your experience in the boat. Once again, a packed basket of refreshments is taken along, for an enhanced relaxed experience.

First Aid Training

First Aid in the bush is a vital skill that the volunteers will master. It is literally a life altering experience if not for your own lives, then for others, especially if you have the confidence in your ability to react quickly and resourcefully to save a life. Volunteers will also learn the medicinally uses of the indigenous plants that can be used to treat various symptoms (eg. Aloe vera - Sun burn).

Target Shooting

The majority of people are scared of firearms, and this is simply because they are unfamiliar on how to use them properly. If volunteers wish they can learn in a safe and controlled environment how to use a firearm. Safety is of the utmost importance on the programme, and therefore live firearms are not used in training. However we do teach firearm handling and shooting to volunteers through the use of air-rifles.

Updating Project information onto the computer

Volunteers are actively involved in conservation projects on the Game Reserve. Recent data that has been collected is typed up into statistical programmes whereby the volunteers are kept up to date on the population trends. This is a rewarding task as the collected data highlights new scientific findings.

Kayaking

For the best and most accurate animal observations, we often have to utilise all resources at our disposal. We therefore often kayak along the Bushman's River (which animals utilise as their main water resource) whereby we can get up close and personal with all types of animals while they are drinking or taking a mud bath. As this activity is relaxing and fun, a picnic basket is enjoyed whilst we paddle along the meandering Bushman's River. Be sure to remember your binoculars, as the bird life is abundant and vibrant. Non-swimmers are given life-jackets if they wish, and are in the capable hands of their co-ordinator who has 16 years life-saving experience. So all can enjoy, no matter how experienced a paddler you are.

Fishing

The Bushman's River is abundant with fish species. Volunteers often catch fish, one in particular, the alien Carp species. Fishing rods and hand lines are used to catch fish which are released there after. Should Carp be caught then they are relocated away from the Bushman's River, as we are trying to get a natural balance of indigenous fish species in the river ecosystem. This activity is relaxing and fun; it also gives managers an idea as to the ratio of fish populations within the Bushman's River.

Luxury Lodge/Guest Experience

Volunteers are treated to a five star-star Luxury guest experience at the Safari Lodge. The Safari Lodge is tucked away in a valley of indigenous bush, its location is ideal for the best wildlife viewing. This intimate thatched lodge with its unique safari huts offers all the comforts of a five star lodge and is an undisturbed retreat where you can regenerate your soul and tune into the sounds of nature. In the evening the haunting sound of the kudu horn will summon you to the fireside to enjoy local cuisine under a magnificent canopy of stars. Our chef prepares unpretentious food with enthusiasm and flair. Four-course dinners of traditional dishes are cooked safari style over the coals. You retreat away to the heat of a luxurious double bath with the sights and sounds of nature or splash off in a double outdoor shower. Your lodge has its own private mini pool or you can join your friends in main pool and sun lounge area. A good night sleep awaits you before another active day in the African Bush.

Crocodile catching

Reed Valley crocodile farm is located on the Game Reserve, where educational talks are held to passing tourists. The crocodiles at present are being relocated back into the African Bush, and volunteers get to touch and learn about the crocodiles, once they have been caught.

Post mortems

Natural selection maintains the balance between the abundance of individuals between animal species. The sick and old animals cannot keep up with the healthy herds, and therefore die out. Post mortems on carcasses are conducted with the volunteers who wish to attend and knowledge on animal anatomy is acquired.

Darting and rehabilitation

The general health and animal condition is managed by our veterinarian, Dr W. Fowlds. Often animals need to be inoculated in the prevention of illness or animals need to undergo rehabilitation before they can be reintroduced back into the wild. Volunteers could work one on one with the vet and hands-on with the animals, when the opportunity arises.

A typical working day:

Students are busy from Monday to Friday (doing volunteer activities for roughly 8 hours a day).

Weekends are free for students to either relax at the volunteer house or to go sightseeing. Your project coordinator will happily help you arrange your weekend travels. Activities might include, whale watching, elephant safari, horse riding on the beach, sky-diving, bungee jumping etc.

Exciting and interesting activities occur frequently on the reserve and these may not be within your working hours however we try to involve volunteers in these as they occur (you will need to be flexible).

Support

Support and advice is available from your Project Managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent to all our volunteers upon booking their volunteer placement and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. A full orientation will be provided when you arrive at the project by your project coordinator including information on the current status of the projects and familiarising you with the local surroundings. You will also be provided with a comprehensive wildlife information booklet.

Accommodation and Meals

The comfy and spacious eight bedroom volunteer house which overlooks a large garden is within 30 paces of the local lively pub. The house is a newly renovated Old Railway Station in Paterson. Most of the rooms are single rooms however please be prepared to share if necessary. Three rooms share one bathroom, complete with a shower. A comfy communal dining and living room with Digital Satellite TV is situated centrally within the house, which leads off to a large kitchen. Also, the sun room provides additional seating on luxury couches, where internet and CD players are available. The house has a large garden with a braai (BBQ) area which has seen many a night fire surrounded by volunteers.

Three meals per day are provided. Breakfast will be served at the Sandflats accommodation. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements are catered for.

You will be transported in an open land rover to and from the field activities.

Getting There

Fly directly into Port Elizabeth Airport where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation. (There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

7.30am	Breakfast
8.00am	Briefing on the days activities and pick up your packed lunch from the lodge
9.00am	Travel through the game reserve to an allocated area to do vegetation management on the way also tracking predators with telemetry
1.00pm	Lunch next to the beautiful Bushman's River
3.00pm	data collection whilst canoeing on the river
4.00pm	Lion and cub monitoring
6.00pm	Dinner or outdoor bbq
Evenings	Socialise in the local lively pub with other volunteers or discuss the activities of the day around the camp fire

BIG 5 GAME RESERVE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROJECTEASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA