Shamwari Conservation Experience

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Project Type: Conservation Project, Big Five Game Reserve.

Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Pick Up Point: Port Elizabeth Airport.

Duration: 2 Week – 12 Weeks.

Price: from £822 per person per week.

Start Dates: Project starts the First and Third Monday of each month.

Accommodation: Purpose built volunteer lodge situated on the Game Reserve.

Meals: Three meals per day included.

Age Range: 17 Plus.

FURTHER INFO

Shamwari, meaning “my friend” in Shona, is the pinnacle of game reserves and home to the coveted Big 5, stretching 27,000 hectares over a malaria free landscape, it offers an award-winning conservation experience and is one of the largest private conservation initiatives in Southern Africa.

Due to the nature of the Shamwari Conservation Experience it is nearly impossible to give a day to day account of the activities you will be involved in. Wildlife does not work to an agenda! Whilst on your placement you will become members of the award winning wildlife department and assist them with their day to day activities. As one of the largest privately owned concessions in Southern Africa the department are kept extremely busy and are often involved in high profile work with wildlife.

Details of possible wildlife conservation, research and veterinary based activities are detailed below:

Wildlife Conservation Activities

Game Monitoring: Rhino, Elephants, Predators
It is essential to keep a close eye on all high profile wildlife species on the reserve. With regular monitoring it is possible to identify individuals, compile information about the family structure and determine feeding and special ecology. Data collected by the Shamwari Conservation Experience team is used to assist in the managing decisions for the reserve.

Game Counts
Annual game counts are conducted to establish the carrying capacity of the reserve. Game counts assist in the decision making of predator to prey ratios and the movement of animals on or off the reserve. This research is vital to allow the wildlife conservation team to make important decisions regarding the Eco System.

Telemetry Tracking
As a Shamwari Conservation Experience team member you will learn the methods used for using telemetry for tracking purposes. Monitoring of some high profile animals like cheetah and leopard are required using telemetry tracking equipment as result of the neighbouring properties carrying livestock and the elusive nature of some of the species.

Restoration and Rehabilitation of Reserve Landscapes
Shamwari Private Game Reserve is 23,000h of reclaimed farm land. The land had been used for agriculture for the past 200 years or more, dating back to the arrival of the early European Settlers. In order to bring the eco system back to its original state there is ongoing reserve maintenance that is vital to achieve this goal. Maintenance activities as part of the Shamwari Conservation Experience may include fence clearing, alien plant control, erosion control on existing dirt roads, reed planting and fence patrols.

Alien Plant Control
Alien plants were introduced to the land by the farmers for different reasons and uses. Today this invasive plant life needs to be removed to increase the natural biodiversity and decrease fire risk.

Volunteering at Born Free Foundation
It is the mission of both the Born Free Foundation and Shamwari Private Game Reserve to promote the conservation of species and the protection of habitat while maintaining a humane and compassionate approach to the welfare of animals and therefore it is their goal to create an awareness of the horrific way in which wildlife is exploited in captivity around the world. An opportunity will be given to Shamwari Conservation Experience participants, on a weekly basis, to volunteer at Born Free.

Activities include:
– Assisting with cleaning and maintenance of bomas and water troughs.
– Assist with the feeding and care of animals in rehabilitation.

Community projects
The present role of wildlife conservation does not stop at conserving nature alone but also includes the responsibility to uplift the local community. This responsibility includes educating the community as to the role and benefit of conserving biodiversity and stresses the importance of conserving our natural resources. Weekly trips are made into the local community to assist in various community projects that range from creating and maintaining vegetable gardens and recycling projects to painting class rooms.

Other Possible Activities
As part of your Shamwari Conservation Experience you may also have the opportunity to take part on the following activities:
– Game capture
– Sleep out on the reserve
– Orientation walk
– Night and anti-poaching patrols

Possible Talks and Presentations
As part of your Shamwari Conservation Experience you will have the chance to listen to some fascinating talks whilst on the reserve. These talks are delivered by experts in their fields and provide a fascinating insight into the work of the reserve and the environment in which the volunteers find themselves. Subjects include:
– Introduction to wildlife conservation in SA
– Principles of Eco Systems
– Capture techniques and relocation of wildlife
– Stress factors in containment and handling
– Veterinarians role in conservation
– Biome of the Eastern Cape
– Medicinal uses of plants
– Astronomy
– Facilities and drugs to reduce stress in wildlife
– Darting techniques
– Hand rearing of orphaned animals
– Wildlife monitoring
– Animal population dynamics
– Use of Bomas
– Animal husbandry
– Conservation of flagship species of Africa
– Wildlife tracks and signs
– Parasites and disease in nature
– Introduction to game ranging
– Animal welfare
– Anti-Poaching methods

Example Weekend Activities
As part of your Shamwari Conservation Experience you may also have the opportunity to take part on the following activities:
– Visit to local historic town of Grahamstown
– Horseback riding trails
– Canoe Trails
– Bungee Jumping
– Beach Visit/Surfing Lessons