{"product_id":"amakhala-volunteers-represented-by-safari-lodge-56447","title":"Amakhala Volunteers represented by Safari Lodge","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the king of the jungle – lions – timid leopards, clumsy rhinos, graceful elephants and mystic buffalo make up the big five. A bio-diversity abundance exploding in a variety of antelope and other species such as giraffe, warthog and jackal roam the plains. Visitors can also see numerous species of birds (from the smallest glossy starlings and radiant sunbirds to the large raptors and fish eagles gracing the sky), slippery reptiles and the creepy crawley’s of the underground (including various winged and wingless insects). 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e THE CONSERVATION ‘PRIDE’ VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Conservation ‘Pride’ (i.e. the student volunteer program run through Safari Lodge owner Mike Weeks), are the veins and arteries behind the heart beat of Reserve conservation. For those “wildlife tourists” seeking an experience which will enable them to explore, no matter how short a time, a new ecosystem and all its inhabitants awaits them.  Not all these visitors have the same motivations.  Some may be seriously interested in the conservation of endangered species, the maintenance of bio-diversity or scientific research in a particular habitat.  Others may just wish to photograph wildlife. All aspects of conservation are addressed in this course, the longer your stay the more in depth your experience will be.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e No matter how short or how long you have intended to stay, Amakhala Volunteer programme caters for any duration. However, we do recommend a minimum of 8 weeks, as we want you to fully experience the African Bush in as much time as you can possibly cater for.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe reserve is continuously monitoring and managing game throughout the year. As a conservation ‘Pride’ 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. We are The: Conservation ‘Pride’!   \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYour conservation experience will be facilitated by Ettiene Larson who has acquired his Wildlife Management and Game Ranging qualifications.  The conservation department whom you will assist includes: Dr. Jennifer Gush (Wildlife and Research Scientist) Giles Gush (Wildlife manager); Dr William Fowlds (Veterinarian).  The Conservation ‘Pride’ also makes use of the Woodbury Conservation Education Centre; the Bushman’s Research Centre and the Born Free Rehabilitation Centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e     \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE ‘CONSERVATION ‘PRIDE’’ EFFORT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThrough successful eco-tourism strategies and the management of resources, Amakhala aims to achieve an environment as close to a natural equilibrium as possible.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis course provides an insight into the environmental issues and management of a game reserve. I believe in “Jack of all Trades” This includes game and reserve management.  The main focus is having FUN while doing 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.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePROJECT DETAILS\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a conservation ‘Pride’ volunteer at Amakhala 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCURRENT LONG TERM PROJECTS:\u003cbr\u003eGame counts\u003cbr\u003ePredator ID\/Monitoring\u003cbr\u003eElephant ID\/Monitoring\u003cbr\u003eRhino ID\/Monitoring\u003cbr\u003eAnimal Tracking using Telemetry\u003cbr\u003eTerritorial Ranges and Feeding Ranges(Behaviour monitoring)\u003cbr\u003eLion Health and Breeding Monitoring\u003cbr\u003eService to the Children Aids Foundation  and venerable children\u003cbr\u003eLocal School Conservation Education\u003cbr\u003e\t \u003cbr\u003eGENERAL RESERVE MAINTENANCE:\u003cbr\u003eErosion Control\u003cbr\u003eFence Patrol and Maintenance \u003cbr\u003eVehicle Maintenance\u003cbr\u003eIndigenous and vegetable Nurseries\u003cbr\u003eHerbarium\u003cbr\u003eAlien Plant Control\u003cbr\u003eBush Clean and Clear ups\u003cbr\u003eRoad Maintenance\u003cbr\u003eBoma Maintenance\u003cbr\u003eFence Maintenance\u003cbr\u003eEducational and Biological Museum\u003cbr\u003eBirding List of Amakhala Reserve\u003cbr\u003e\t\t\u003cbr\u003eCURRENT SHORT TERM PROJECTS:\u003cbr\u003eGame Capture, counts and monitoring\u003cbr\u003eGiraffe and Elephant ID and competition assessment\u003cbr\u003eMedicinal use of plants and vegetation biomes\u003cbr\u003eGuided walks, tracking and trails through the Reserve\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePIPELINE PROJECTS:\u003cbr\u003eNocturnal Predator Activities\u003cbr\u003eEntomology Collection\u003cbr\u003eHyena Den sites\u003cbr\u003ePlains game impact assessments\u003cbr\u003eCheetah coalition and behaviour\u003cbr\u003eMonitoring the release and impacts of lion \u003cbr\u003eInstinct or habituation of antelope to lion release\u003cbr\u003e\t\t\t\t\u003cbr\u003eOTHER 'FUN' PROJECTS THAT THE VOLUNTEERS MAY BE INVOLVED IN:\u003cbr\u003eBush Survival – Camping out under the stars and survival (Weather dependent)\u003cbr\u003eFirst Aid Training \u003cbr\u003eNavigation and Compass orientation\u003cbr\u003eTarget Shooting \u003cbr\u003eTaxidermy – hunting discussion “Conservation or Not”\u003cbr\u003eUpdating Project information onto the computer\u003cbr\u003eReport writing \u003cbr\u003eCanoeing\u003cbr\u003eBoating \u003cbr\u003eFishing\u003cbr\u003e4 star **** Lodge Experience\u003cbr\u003eMarine day\u003cbr\u003eCrocodile catching \u003cbr\u003ePost mortems\u003cbr\u003eDarting and rehabilitation \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause Amakhala is a fully operational reserve, there may also be the need to assist with work involving both the veterinarian and ecologist from time to time. Please note that it is not guaranteed that you will do game capture or rehabilitation during your stay.  Only when the vet need assistance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"amakhala","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43761806606395,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/6776\/2747\/files\/56447_2Famakhla_volunteers-01.jpg?v=1783585114","url":"https:\/\/plekify.com\/products\/amakhala-volunteers-represented-by-safari-lodge-56447","provider":"Plekify","version":"1.0","type":"link"}