| You could spend six weeks categorizing your 80's cd | | | | conservation is a constant cycle of research and field |
| collection; you could start work on that novel about a | | | | work, and keeping accurate records is an important |
| boy wizard you've been planning for so long; or you | | | | part of the job. |
| could just spend the entire time gazing at your navel | | | | But working in wildlife conservation is not just about the |
| and dreaming of a desert island. But if you're | | | | animal conservation work. There is plenty to be done |
| passionate about animal conservation work, and you're | | | | behind the scenes, and some of your duties may |
| not afraid of a little hard work and a whole lot of | | | | involve a day on fence patrol and repair, erosion |
| adventure, why not head to South Africa and | | | | control, or clear up duties of broken wire and rubbish |
| volunteer on a wildlife conservation project on a game | | | | which could prove harmful to wildlife. You will also help |
| reserve. If you do take the plunge and give it a go | | | | in the upkeep of the many walking trails throughout the |
| your day might look a something like this... | | | | parks, and even turn your hand to vehicle maintenance! |
| A typical day | | | | There are two things certain on your gap year for |
| You'll wake up with the sun in your basic | | | | adults on a South African game park - one is that no |
| accommodation of wooden hut, mobile home or share | | | | two days will be the same, and the other is that you'll |
| house on the reserve. You'll probably be sharing with a | | | | never be bored! After a long hot day out in the park, if |
| few other volunteers, who just like you, are taking a | | | | you still have any energy, you could get a taxi to a |
| gap year for adults. You'll be starting work around | | | | local bar where you can socialise with loads of wildlife |
| 7.30am so it's a quick breakfast then its time to step | | | | conservation volunteers from other parks. Then it's |
| out your door and into the office! | | | | home to bed to snuggle down and drift off to sleep |
| Depending on which park you choose, you'll start your | | | | with the unique sounds of the bush echoing in your |
| day with anything from monitoring a herd of elephants | | | | ears. |
| to undertaking predator research! You will be working | | | | Your gap year for adults working in wildlife |
| with a team of experienced wildlife conservation | | | | conservation will be a life changing experience. Not |
| trackers and researchers, on such diverse projects as | | | | only will you have a great suntan, but you will have |
| lion health and breeding programs; wildlife care and | | | | learnt a huge amount about animal conservation work |
| capture; rehabilitation and relocation; wetland | | | | and you will have experienced life in an incredible part |
| rehabilitation; animal behaviour; animal census programs; | | | | of the world. Most important though, you will have |
| monkey research or many of the other wildlife | | | | played an important role in preserving the destiny of |
| conservation projects the park is conducting. | | | | some of the world's precious, endangered animals. So |
| The parks are constantly monitoring the animals, and | | | | there's only one real question you have to ask |
| you help with report writing and data entry. Wildlife | | | | yourself. What are you waiting for? |