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INGWE Leopard Research

INGWE Leopard Research

Now hiring

We recruit volunteers to assist our research team, monitoring leopard (and other predator) behaviours in South Africa. Leopards are the last of the big five roaming free outside game reserves and national parks. It is in these areas (the largest land mass of Africa), where leopards are under threat. Join the INGWE team and help us to conserve the last of the big five roaming free.

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Volunteer with the Kingdom Lion Sanctuary and INGWE Leopard Research

We have limited places available to join a 28 day volunteer program that incorporates 2 weeks at the Kingdom Lion Sanctuary caring for Lions and two weeks with the INGWE Leopard Research team assisting with our vital conservation work.

  • Pretoria/Lydenburg, South Africa
  • Opportunity has expired
  • Generalist
  • Remote Working
  • Exotic Location
  • Social Impact
  • Adventurous Challenge
  • Entry Level
  • Adventure / Travel
ABOUT

We are now able to offer a very special four week conservation package that offers two weeks spent at Kevin Richardson's The Kingdom Lion Sanctury and two weeks spent with the INGWE Leopard Research team on the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve.

This amazing package is brought to you by Kevin Richardson and Will Fox (INGWE Manager), who share a passion for large predator conservation.

The Projects:

The Kingdom borders the Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve, where you will be able to assist with Kevin’s remarkable work with lions, as well as being involved in maintaining and restoring a big five game reserve.

Volunteers will assist in maintaining the lion sanctuary which was built by Kevin Richardson for the animals in his care. The farm (totalling currently 18,000 hectares) and the many animals that call it home, all require maintenance, care and management.

One of the things Kevin prides himself on is providing the animals with the best living conditions while in captive circumstances, and we are always looking for ways of ensuring that the animals’ lives are enriched as we aspire for them to receive the best care and love possible. Our staff in return, have their lives enriched, by being able to work with these remarkable animals and we are certain that after leaving us you will feel the same!

An abundance of wildlife can be seen while working in the greater area of the big five reserve. As most of the reserve was previous farm land, there are many challenges in returning the land to its ideal condition. Volunteers will help to play an integral part in restoring the area to its former glory.

The INGWE Leopard Research program aims to conserve free roaming leopards and is based at Black Leopard Campus on the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve.

Volunteers are given training in bush skills such as tracking predators and camera trapping and will assist in monitoring the resident leopards as well as other predator species on the reserve.

As well as being great fun, you will be contributing to the essential conservation work of the INGWE Leopard Research team. Vital work which is needed to gather data on free roaming leopards such that we can develop strategies to reduce human conflict with predators.

Whilst with the INGWE team you will also be able to assist with our reserve conservation program and visit one of the local rural schools where we offer support.

What is included:

Pre-departure information and advice.

  • Transfers between projects
  • Airport pick-up on arrival and drop off on departure at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport on defined start dates. A mutual time for all volunteers arriving the same day will be arranged before your arrival and you will be notified by email usually one week before arrival of the meeting time.
  • In country assistance and support.
  • Accommodation for the duration of your stay at the project.
  • All meals with the exception of meals when out on excursions outside the facility. Tea and Coffee also included. Please note that volunteers are responsible for cooking on a shared rota and basic housekeeping.

What is not included:

  • Flights
  • Visa costs (where applicable)
  • Insurance costs (medical as well as personal items)
  • Beverages.

Accommodation

While with the INGWE team you will stay at Black Leopard Campus (see video clip above), which is the research base for the team. The Campus is located in a beautiful remote position on the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve. Accommodation comprises permanent two bed tents with shared ablusions, kitchen, office/volunteer lounge and outside lapa. The Campus minimises it's carbon foot print by using solar power and utilises fallen wood for heating water.

When at The Kingdom, the Volunteer Camp is situated at “The Old Trading Post” nestled in the heart of the Welgedacht Game Reserve. Accommodation is in two person bungalows with shared cooking facilities, there is also a volunteer lounge with TV and bar area. Welgedacht is situated on the south eastern boundary of the Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve. At any time you could potentially see any of the big five right where you are living. The camp is enclosed by a fence to keep unwanted visitors out but still leaves you with a true bush experience. The accommodation is outsourced to Welgedacht Game Reserve owners run by Gerald Howell whose attention to detail and warm South African hospitality ensures every volunteer has a comfortable and memorable stay. 

We have limited places available, so if you would like to join this program the contact Carol carol@researchcam.com