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The existence of our closest relative is under threat. Experts predict that chimpanzees will be extinct within their natural habitat within the next ten years as they are lost to the illegal meat trade, entertainment industry and medical research. Working at one of the world’s most respected rehabilitation sanctuaries for chimpanzees, you’ll meet 43 year old, former circus performer Joao who’s remarkable life has seen him survive a civil war and overcome both alcohol and cigarette addictions. Joao now spends his twilight years mentoring infant chimpanzees at the sanctuary.
16-year-old alpha male Abu was sold as a pet next to the very place where his family was being prepared for meat. He now revels in his role as group leader and loves to indulge in his favourite treat of syrup and peanut butter.
As a volunteer, you will observe and interact with these amazing primates on a daily basis and be involved in the practical management and rehabilitation of chimpanzees, with the ultimate aim of releasing them safely back into the wild.
The Volunteer Programme
At the turn of the 20th Century between one and two million chimpanzees were believed to be living in the wild. Today, that figure is just 150,000 and is falling every day. The threats to chimpanzees are numerous and wide ranging and the need to save them is urgent. Chimps are being hunted for meat, being kept as pets or for entertainment, losing their habitats through deforestation and are also the victims of HIV and AIDS. Projects such as this are one of the few remaining hopes for chimp populations and volunteers are desperately needed to help safeguard their future by working at a rehabilitation sanctuary for chimps that have been rescued from these types of threat.
The project offers you the opportunity to take part in an exciting and internationally recognised Chimpanzee Primate Sanctuary Management course, which is endorsed by the Jane Goodall Institute of South Africa and by the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA). This training is then put into practise and further expanded as you work in the mornings and early evenings at the sanctuary, helping the staff members in their day-to-day activities, while carefully observing and collecting various data on the Chimps and assisting in some conservation bush work within the reserve.
Volunteer Role
The aim of this project is to provide you with a detailed knowledge of the workings of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and all practical training that you receive will be based here. The sanctuary itself is outstanding and as close to a chimpanzee’s natural environment as you can get. The main enclosure is huge and the sanctuary itself is set amongst a stunning African savannah backdrop. There are a vast number of trees and open spaces for the chimps to play in and explore. This gives them the truest sense of freedom and is the perfect preparation for their return to the wild.
Through your chimp training, you will learn about the day-to-day behaviour of the chimpanzees and their interactions with fellow members of their group. You will collect regarding the individual chimpanzee characteristics, while exploring new ways to aid them in their preparation for release. All of your tuition and sanctuary activities will be carried out under the guidance and supervision of the sanctuary curator and members of staff. This sanctuary-training programme has very high standards of education so we can ensure that you receive the best training possible.
Please Note: Chimpanzees are fascinating and extremely intelligent creatures, but without a great deal of training and years of experience, they can be extremely dangerous! Because of this, we cannot guarantee any hands-on experience at this project: It is primarily a conservation and rehabilitation programme, and therefore strives to keep human interaction and reliance to a minimum.
Primate and Conservation Course
The theoretical part of your course will take place at a specialised training venue in the Private Game Reserve and is run by highly qualified and experienced chimpanzee specialists and field guides. Your programme will be based on the study of Primatology and will complement the sanctuary’s own informal training programme, which has been developed based on the shared experiences at this private and well-respected sanctuary.
The modules you will learn about on the course include:
- Introduction to Primates
- History of Chimpanzees on the African Continent
- Introduction to Primates in Captivity
- Chimpanzee Behaviour
- Chimpanzee Eating Habits and Dietary Requirements
- Environmental Education
- Sanctuary Management and Sustainable Tourism
- Advanced First Aid Level 1
At the end of the course you will be rewarded with a recognised Level 1 Sanctuary Management Certificate, endorsed by the Jane Goodall Institute of South Africa.
Conservation Activities
This part of the programme focuses on the conservation and preservation of the reserve and gives you the opportunity to assist the team in the various activities that together constitute the day-to-day running of a private game reserve in Africa. You will help carry out vital conservation and bush work such as snare sweeps, fence patrols, soil erosion control, road maintenance, bush clearing and any other tasks that crop up during your time at the reserve. You will also learn about the wildlife and ecology of the area and learn new skills in areas such as basic tracking and survival. Depending on the time of year you may assist with wildlife counts and surveys.
The sanctuary is also pioneering a new ‘Roots and Shoots’ scheme where staff and volunteers plant indigenous trees in the reserve. This allows the chimpanzees to become acquainted with their natural habitat in advance of their release back into the wild. These conservation activities are optional, but will be included as part of your weekly programme, and provide an extremely interesting and rewarding element of your African wildlife experience. They will usually take place across a number of afternoons as specified by the sanctuary staff.
Project Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health.
Project Support
Throughout your programme you will receive the support and guidance of the sanctuary manager and his team of guides and managers. They will be on hand to answer your questions, offer any advice you may need and to ensure your comfort and safety during the programme. In addition, you will have access to our 24 hour emergency contact number, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Project Orientation
On arrival at the programme you will meet your fellow volunteers and project staff and have some time to settle in. You will then begin your project orientation, which will cover key issues and also provide you with important information about the programme itself, such as:
- An orientation of the programme location
- Introduction to the team
- A briefing on the programme and what will be happening over the next month
- Health and safety Camp rules
Project Accommodation and Meals
During the programme your accommodation will be in comfortable wooden chalets at an excellent purpose built camp, which is fully equipped to make your stay extremely secure and relaxing. Your Boma is an outside area that serves as an entertainment and open-air dining area. Set on a hill and overlooking the unspoilt bush of the reserve, it is a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the lodge and Chimpanzee centre.
The bedrooms are based on two people sharing and are well equipped with pine-framed beds, duvets and linen, cupboards and chairs. The rooms are serviced daily and laundry can be done for you at a small charge. There are separate bathroom facilities with hot and cold running water and flushing toilets. From time to time you will be able to access the internet.
You will be provided with 3 meals a day, prepared for you by the chefs that work at the nearby guest lodge. The food is of an excellent standard and will brought to the camp each day. These meals will usually consist of:
Breakfast – Selection of fruit, cereals, toast, spreads and coffee and tea
Lunch – Light meals ranging from cold meat and salads to burgers and sandwiches
Dinner – A variety of wholesome, cooked meals ranging from curries, BBQs and traditional Potjies.
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