Location
Livingstone, Zambia. The project is located on the outskirts of Livingstone town; a stone's throw away from the magnificent thundering waters of Victoria Falls.
About the project
Over 200,000 lions used to roam the African continent, as recently as 1975. The latest estimates show an 80 - 90% population decline in the last 30 years. The end objective of the Victoria Falls lion project, is the reintroduction of the offspring of captive-bred lions into the wild by means of a four-stage process, which volunteers will learn more about during their involvement with the project.
This breeding and rehabilitation project is the World's First and is supported by leading ecologists in this field. We invite volunteers to walk and work with African Lions, and to be involved in the in-depth research and data-collection activities. Spending time with the lions in the wild each day is an essential part of the cub's upbringing. If the cubs are to be released into a wild environment it is important that they spend time in that environment. They need to adapt to it, learn from it, understand, observe, feel and smell the wild.
Volunteers will also take part in a research program to better understand the ecology of elephants in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and join the education programs to involve communities in conservation as part of a holistic approach.
Project orientation
On arrival at the Livingstone project, the following orientation will take place:
- Volunteers will receive their volunteer's manual which includes information that will help with the integration into the project, as well as give further tips for the involvement at the Livingstone programme
- Introduction to all senior project staff and heads of department
- Familiarization of the work areas - including rivers, internal roads and tracks and some of the wildlife species
- Introduction to the lions and cub enclosures
- Briefing on how to complete data capture forms and enter data into the computer systems
- Further information on the lion breeding programme and our ultimate objective of free releasing lions into the wild
- Familiarization with all duties volunteers will be involved in
Volunteer work and contribution
The involvement of volunteers on the project is paramount to achieving the conservation aims on all fronts. Volunteers can expect days to be long, but will also be able to end each day knowing that they have given something back to Africa; having made a difference to the animals and people that they come into contact with.
The volunteer's primary task whilst on placement will be to assist management and their team of guides, handlers and scouts in all aspects of care for the animals in their charge; giving them the opportunities to develop their natural instincts in preparation for their release into the next stage of the program.
Research is a significant part of the volunteer's role; collecting data not only on the development of the lions, but also joining our elephant monitoring team in the National Park.
Volunteers will also help us with our various community programs that may include conservation or health education as well as a number of other projects that will be told about on arrival.
To give volunteers an idea of how their time will be split between the different aspects of the program, the following should be taken as an approximation:
Lion Rehabilitation & Release into the Wild Program 75%
Conservation work within the National Park 20%
Conservation Education & Community Development 5%
The volunteer's daily tasks in further detail:
Lion Walks. Spending time with the lions in the wild each day is an essential part of the cubs upbringing. If the cubs are to be successfully released it is important that they spend time out in a natural environment. They need to adapt to it, learn from it, understand, observe, feel and smell the wild. Since the start of this intensive lion walking programme, we have noted a marked increase in the lions' awareness of their natural surroundings, as well as an improvement in their hunting skills. The larger cubs are now able to take down smaller game species whilst out on walks, and these abilities are being enhanced each day whilst under the supervision of volunteers. These are invaluable discoveries, which have earned us further support for our world first endeavours. Alongside the walks, volunteers will be involved in the care of the animals which overnight in enclosures. They need feeding, cleaning, and occasionally will need veterinary care to ensure that they are kept in the best of health.
Research. As part of the program we conduct a number of research activities to better understand lion behaviour and ecology. The lion walks offer unique opportunities to observe lions close up in their natural environment with the data collected assisting us to make the best decisions for the animal's welfare and eventual release. Volunteers will assist our research technician in gathering and analyzing this vital data. The research studies being undertaken whilst on the placement will vary depending on the needs of the project at the time but may include looking at hunting development, character traits, spoor sizes or mane growth. Volunteers will receive all the training they need in order to ensure that they are able to provide valuable input to this program regardless of previous experience.
Elephant Monitoring. Conflict with humans is a major issue for elephants in the region, but understanding how to mitigate the conflict first requires an understanding of the ecology of the species within the National Park. Volunteers will join the research team to identify individual elephants, to track seasonal changes, score body condition, record location and group sizes; all so that these data can be correlated to crop raiding incidents. Through this program we hope to be able to find patterns in elephant use of the Park to understand why the conflicts arise and therefore be able to provide reasonable solutions to reduce the conflict.
Conservation Education. Volunteers will join our ACT conservation education program visiting local schools to garner support for conservation through education. The syllabus was originally devised under the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) "We Care!" project with lesson plans designed to offer children a full understanding of their environment and to build an appreciation for the need to conserve what remains of the wild areas of Zambia.
Each lesson may focus on a specific species or introduce conservation methods. Learning is achieved through a mixture of classroom-based talks and discussion as well as involving the children in smaller groups and practical activities such as visits to the lion programme, or Victoria Falls themselves. A few days prior to each lesson, volunteers will work with our team and other volunteers to prepare the lesson plans whilst also receiving training on how best to teach the children that they will meet.
Community Development. During the volunteer's placement, they will have the opportunity to be involved in a number of community programs which may include health education, training in the sustainable use of natural resources or reading classes. The nature of the programs operating at the time of the placement will be given upon arrival.
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Accommodation
Volunteers will be staying at the volunteer house in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park a stone's throw from the lion enclosures and the mighty Zambezi River. Rooming will be sharing with up to 3 others although we try and make sure volunteers do not share a room with more than 2 other volunteers. We can also arrange for couples or groups of friends to share rooms. The accommodation is simple but comfortable and completely suited to the volunteer's needs.
All the meals, unless a volunteer happens to take a packed breakfast into the park on a long lion walk, will be served at the house and are prepared by our chefs.
The house has running hot and cold water and electricity although this is Africa so there are occasional lapses of both!
Not just work...
There are a huge number of optional activities and trips that are available to volunteers, at additional cost, whilst on their placement. Here are just a few ideas:
On the time off, why not take advantage of the multitude of activities available at Victoria Falls itself, Africa's "adrenaline capital"; there are helicopter or microlight flights over the Falls; bungee jumping; white water rafting; horse rides; elephant rides; game drives; gorge jumps; skydiving; canoeing and a host of other options. There are also day and weekend trips available to the neighbouring countries of Botswana and Zimbabwe.
During the volunteer's stay in Livingstone, they may have the opportunity to enjoy an excursion to some of the other spectacular spots that the region has to offer.
Minimum requirements
- Min age 17 - Max age 80
- At least 1,55 metres tall (5 feet 1 inch)
- Basic English
- Good physical fitness
- Motivation to work with animals
- Full travel & medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)