Volunteer South Africa with Animals

Sam Smith Start Date: Nov 23, 2016 - End Date: Apr 11, 2017
  • South Africa

My Travel Story

by: Sam Smith Start Date: Nov 23, 2016 - End Date: Apr 11, 2017
Hi everyone!

My name is Samantha Smith, and I am currently a college student going for a degree in Wildlife Management. I would love the chance to go to South Africa to work in the Volunteer South Africa Big Cat Program, to get experice working with the Big Cats. While the program itself is called a Big Cat Program it also involves being around and working with other South African Animals. Animals have always been a passion of mine and is what I want my future career of Wildlife management to be with. I have also always wanted to go to Africa and get close and personal with animals I do not get to see in person everyday.

Why I choose this program is because I found a link to this program online, and when looking into just how great opportunity to travel and get more work experice with animals. I have never been out of the United States even though I have always wanted to travel and explore the world.

What makes this meaningful for me is that it is a great chance to try something new and get experince. Africa has always been a dream of mine to visit, and getting to go on this adventure that also hold benefits that can be put on my future applications would be amazing.

I have done many volunteer, internships and jobs with other animals including the following:

* Volunteer-Wolf Conservation Center. I did educational programs mostly and working in our gift shops.
* Intern-African Carnivore Internship. This was done at one of my college in Montana looking at photos sent from Africa taken in the field of mostly Lions and African Wild Dogs, and my task was to compare the photos to the ones in our database to figure out which individuals are in the photos.
* Intern- African Plant Internship. For this I preped samples from plants sent to my college for studies.
* Work-Hocking Nature Center working with Snakes and Raptors.

Program description
" This animal lovers program finds itself on a quite sanctuary-like farm, away from any major city, deep in the very wild and beautiful African bush in the remote North West Province of South Africa. Volunteers work to better the lives of a number of big cats including lions, white lions, cheetahs, Bengal tigers, as well as other animals including elephants, giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest.

The amazing staff at this sanctuary work closely with the volunteers to teach them about animal feeding, health, husbandry, and what it takes to run an animal reserve. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to do loads of incredible activities including horseback safaris, elephant walks, and game drives. This truly is an extraordinary wildlife experience"

Every bit helps! Thank you.
  • South Africa

Updates

5

  • Donating

    While in South Africa I plan to donate baby things to the Hakuna Matata House, a place for orphaned and abandoned babies and kids. So while the main part of my trip will still be working with animals, I will also be bringing supplies for the babies.

  • $30 Donor Gift

    $30 Donor Gift
    Just adding some photos to keep getting awareness to this fundraiser. Also, now for $35 the donor gift is all four of the photos I made for the fundraiser.

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