Using a four stage rehabilitation process, you will be volunteering on stage one of the process, where the captive born cubs spend their days walking 'in the bush' so that they can get used to their natural habitat. This process plays a great role in achieving the ultimate aim of the project which is to release the wild borne offspring from the captive bred lions into appropriate national parks and private reserves for their survival and to supply lions to those parts of Africa that have lost their lion population.
There are many different types of volunteer work that you can get involved with to reach the aim of the project. Details of the varied volunteer work follow:
Lion Walks
As the main focus of the project, the majority of your time at the project will be spent observing lion’s behaviour during lion walks and watching them learn to hunt so that the cubs can be released back into the wild. Other volunteer work also includes caring for the animals which overnight in enclosures, cleaning and feeding them.
Research
In order to understand lion behaviour and ecology, research is carried out. During the lion walks you will be observing the lions in their natural environment allowing the project team to make the best decisions about their eventual release. You will assist with gathering and analysing the data you will collect during your lion walks. Data studies may include looking at hunting development, character traits, spoor sizes or mane growth. So that you can offer as much as you can to the project, training will be provided.
Work in the National Park
For the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park to help it maintain a healthy ecosystem, you can help carry out numerous different conservation projects including; an ongoing elephant population study to create a database of the overall population, herds and individuals within the park, conducting snare sweeps to remove snares set by poachers and the occasional litter-pick to maintain the beauty of the local area.
Teaching Conservation and Health
Working with local schools to gain support for conservation through education, you will Use a combination of classroom based talks and practical activities such as visiting the lion project. By doing so, you will help the children develop a better understanding of their environment and to appreciate the need to conserve the wild areas of Zambia. You will work with other volunteers prior to your classes to prepare lesson plans.
There are also lessons for adults that cover all health aspects, including diseases that are prevalent but may not be of common knowledge. Teaching the adults also in turn helps to educate the children on these health problems; education can be the best prevention and cure.
Please note:The work that you will be involved with will depend on the needs of the project at that time and you may be involved in some project areas more than others, so please ensure that you bring a flexible approach to the programme.
What’s Included
- Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as food for lions, management and maintenance of parks infrastructure, and the development of the lion breeding and rehabilitation programme
- Arrival and departure transfers to and from Livingstone Airport
- Project assistance by various trained guides, ecologists and field staff during your stay
- Any wildlife education talks that take place during your stay and that you might wish to partake in
- Accommodation
- All meals during your placement
- Unlimited tea, coffee and juice throughout the day
- Laundry service during your stay
What’s Not Included
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Email / Telephone
- Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary e.g. visit to Antelope Park
- All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
Prices and Durations
Zambia Lion Rehabilitation and Release - 2 weeks £1,399
Zambia Lion Rehabilitation and Release - 4 weeks £2,499
Zambia Lion Rehabilitation and Release - 8 weeks £4,199
