Blogs from the Field

“We admire elephants in part because they demonstrate what we consider the finest human traits: empathy, self-awareness, and social intelligence. But the way we treat them puts on display the very worst of human behavior.” ― Graydon Carter

Elephant populations across the African continent have been disappearing at an alarming rate in the past decades, in particular due to the increasingly lucrative business of ivory. The increasing amount of people on the planet is also putting pressure on wildlife habitats, leaving less space for wildlife like elephants to roam, and often resulting in human-wildlife conflicts. At the same time, tourists are riding elephants when travelling to in particular Asian countries, like Thailand, India and Sri Lanka. Not to mention the elephants that are suffering in circuses around the world for the sole purpose of entertaining people. It seems like no matter where we look, the elephant is suffering from the hands of humans.

To start off with the tourism industry. In the case of e.g. Thailand, the elephants were originally part of the logging industry, which became illegal in 1989. This left owners without any income, and the industry of tourist rides on elephants started. The demand for the rides became greater, and is now the reason why thousands of Asian elephants are currently part of the industry. Elephants are still continuously taken from the wild as young, and then beaten into submission. If you don’t know how elephants get submissive enough to actually carry people, I suggest you watch this video and get wiser (warning of harsh scenes). The process is called 'the crush' or phajaan, which has the sole purpose of beating the elephant's spirit and will to fight. This will happen to the young elephants whether caught in the wild or bred in captivity, as it never becomes part of the animal’s nature to carry people or being submissive. They carry you on their backs out of fear and not out of want. People are also under the impression that elephants are animals that can handle carrying people on their back for hours a day for decades. Just because they are large animals, it doesn’t mean their bodies are made for this type of work. Most elephants get spinal and back injuries from decades of carrying tourists on their backs. You can read more about the darker sides of the captive elephant industry here. Thankfully awareness campaigns are working and people are waking up. The tourism industry has gradually realised that animal cruelty doesn’t belong in the business. Whether it being elephant rides, dolphin swims or tiger selfies; any of these practices are increasingly being rejected by tourists, due to the increasing awareness around animal welfare. I’d only wish that the same pressure was applied to the volunteering industry, which seems to have been forgotten, despite several companies collaborating with elephant camps in Asia and Africa.

True elephant sanctuaries like our Elephant Sanctuary project in Thailand has the sole purpose of allowing elephants to live out the rest of their lives as elephant. They help owners to retire their elephants from work in the industry. They don’t buy the elephants, because what will the owners do with this money? Will they just go and buy a new elephant that will be taken from the wild, and thus keeping the vicious circle going? The project provides an alternative income for these locals by renting the elephants, and thus paying a monthly amount for the elephants to not work. Often, owners are happy to see their old elephant retire and be happy at the sanctuary, instead of having them work in the tourist industry.  Many of these sanctuaries spread across Asia welcome volunteers and tourists alike to see elephants roaming free, and this should be the place you support on your travels! Just be aware that the term “sanctuary” is often misused these days, and do your research on the place you are going before supporting it financially! While you can find few places in South Africa where you can ride elephants, the most pressing issue for wild African elephants is of a complete different nature. Whether it being overpopulation, fighting for resources or the lucrative ivory trade, the elephant is often coming out short. However, in some countries it has been possible to work out a solution. An example of a project that is trying to mitigate elephant-human conflicts is our Desert Elephant volunteer project in Namibia. This rare population of Namib Desert elephants has grown in the past 20 years, from as low as 52 members to a current population of over 600 elephants thanks to conservation efforts. However, this has put lots of pressure on the water and grazing supplies of the areas, which are also occupied by farmers. The project has for almost 15 years managed to work with the communities and mitigate potential conflicts, by building alternative water points and protective structures around existing ones.

At this project, volunteers have helped build no less than 176 protection walls and around 10 alternative drinking points. Funds from volunteers have also helped contribute to their education project, which helps communities understand how to live safely with elephants. Around 2,000 local community members have taken part in it so far, and still counting! There wouldn’t be a sustainable future for the elephants without including the communities.

I have been so lucky to experience wild elephants in Africa, when I volunteered in Ghana. For a weekend, we went to Mole National Park. Our base was beautifully located allowing us to view the entire green and lush park from above. We got the opportunity to go in small groups with a ranger on a walking safari, and were taught about the animals we met along the way. For instance, did you know that one of the most dangerous animals to elephants are ants?! I’ll let you think about that one! Eventually, we made it down the hills to the plains, where rangers had found tracks from elephants. Not long thereafter, we arrived at a small lake. Here, I got to witness something I’ll probably never see again. A whole family of elephants bathing in the lake. They were in so deep that they only had their trunks above water to breathe and smell us humans from a distance. Eventually, they all came on land and I was only few meters away from an animal that I’ve always admired so greatly.

Thailand just recently celebrated the arrival of a new year, and we reflect upon what has been an eventful year for our Elephant Sanctuary in Mae Chaem.

In February, the Elephant Sanctuary got the saddening news that the owners of Mae Jumpee wanted her back. Mae Jumpee had been with the sanctuary since 2012 and forged a tight friendship with the other resident elephant, Mae Kam. Our sanctuary tried to make the owners change their minds, and even offered to buy Mae Jumpee from the owners, yet was without success. Fortunately, the owners don’t want Mae Jumpee to work or partake on tourists rides. Thus, she has been reunited at a non-working camp in Mae Wang district with one of her daughters and grandson, where they are part of a hands-on elephant experience camp. In the latest update from the camp, Mae Jumpee seems to be doing fine with her daughter located near a stream and plentiful food source, which is all we hope for.

Around the same time that our sanctuary had to let Mae Jumpee go, they found an opportunity to save another elephant. Her name is Mae Mor and they found her living in appalling conditions at a camp 4 years ago. Since then, it has been the mission of the sanctuary to find a way to bring her home. Earlier this year, they finally got that chance when they found the owners! At this point, the condition of Mae Mor had deteriorated to the point, where the camp no longer could work her. This meant that she just spent her days chained in the hot sun.

So, in Mid-March our sanctuary started the campaign to Bring Mae Mor Home, and on 27th March they did just that! They felt like it couldn’t be postponed any longer, as Mae Mor’s situation was getting worse, so they used all the funds that amazing supporters from around the World had donated. They also had to use project funds that normally are for the general upkeep of the sanctuary. Thus, if you have anything to spare, any amount of money donated on their site would be more than greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Mae Mor was bought by the family 25 years ago to work as a logging and farming elephant, up until 10 years ago, when she was forced to work in tourism in one of the many elephant camps in the Mae Thang area, which is notorious for its many camps. Elephant rides unfortunately remain a popular attraction for tourists coming to experience Thailand. Elephants are not naturally born to be able to carry people on their backs. They end up in great physical pain from years of mistreatment and their backs malformed from the rides, not to mention the mental damage that these highly intelligent and social animals also have to endure. Our Elephant Sanctuary tries to end this and change the mentality around using elephants for entertainment in the country by retiring them to their sanctuary. They are then providing another income for the owners, by paying them a monthly rent to have them at the sanctuary. They will not buy an elephant, unless they are sure the money won’t be used to buy a new elephant.

“Time and time again we are faced with difficult choices and it seems that there is no real answer. We just do what we can, where we can, to help and hope that through the steps we take we can influence positive change. The elephant situation in Thailand is very complex. We hope through education and leading by example we can create positive change” – Emily, Co-founder of the Elephant Sanctuary

Last month, I went to speak at the Compass Ethical Volunteering and Travel conference in Birmingham. It was the first of its kind and it gathered several great speakers from the volunteering and travel industry to speak about being ethical in our line of business. I was there to provide the perspective of WorkingAbroad, a volunteer organisation that has helped people from around the World to join volunteer programmes in the past 20 years. I was there to provide some insights on what future volunteers should look out for and ask themselves before choosing a volunteer project.

It is no secret that volunteering has in the past years grown substantially in popularity as a way of travelling and experiencing the world. This has been followed by an increasing number of companies and organisations, who are interested in offering people volunteering experiences. This also makes it harder for people to make the decision on where to travel and with whom. In 2015, the documentary “The Voluntourist” by Chloé Sanguinetti highlighted the importance of doing research and being critical when looking for a volunteer programme abroad. Is your presence doing more harm than good? This is the essential and most important question that you need to know the answer to, before spending your time and money on a volunteer programme.

Unfortunately, there are like in any other area of business, profit-greedy organisations and companies who are only interested in exploiting your good intentions for making money. They are the ones destroying the important work that other well-intentioned volunteer organisations and companies are part of. I met people at the conference, who had been scared off a bit with volunteering abroad, as the bad examples of being ripped off on a volunteer programme that had no clear purpose or structure to make a sustainable impact on the community, had imprinted on them. This was another reason for participating in this conference; to show that ethical volunteer programmes and companies do exist! The BORN FREE Foundation was also part of the conference, who announced that they are at the moment working on a database for ethical travel and volunteering companies and organisations. “Animal Footprint” is the name of the database, which is soon to be launched. The purpose is for you as a traveller and volunteer to more easily find the places that are run ethically and sustainably; thus, making it easier for you to make an informed choice. Keep an eye out for it! I recently read the book “Volunteer Voices” by Duncan McNicholl, who has many years of experience with development work in Africa, also as a volunteer. The book raises many important questions that former volunteers have realised upon reflection of their time volunteering and working with development. I recognised several of the questions, some which I realised while I was volunteering abroad, and others not until after I had arrived back home. This book thus provides anyone looking into volunteering, the insight from people with extensive volunteer and working experience in the development field. It will make you ask the right questions and make the considerations before you choose the programme to volunteer with abroad.

I volunteered in Ghana and Brazil for various durations at community development projects back in 2013. This was during a time where the notion of ethical tourism or questioning "voluntourism" hadn't really found its way. While I do remember asking myself questions about my work while volunteering, most of my reflections have come afterwards and in particular in recent years. Fortunately, upon this reflection, I don’t consider my time volunteering at the given programmes as harmful or unsustainable. In Ghana, my main purpose was to build libraries at schools in Kumasi and doing farm work in the Northeast. While I questioned the organisation and effectiveness of my work when being there, I believe the creation of libraries anywhere in the World will only have a long term positive effect. In Brazil, I worked with children in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. I remember thinking at the time, if I was really making a difference with my presence there. As I gradually got to understand the purpose of the project, I realised that it was needed to secure a less deem future for the children. Once the children reach a certain age, in particular the boys, the drug lords from the larger neighbouring favela would come to recruit the them, while their parents were working. This project provided the children a place to go, while their parents were out working. You can read more about my time volunteering in Brazil here. I would advise anyone to carefully think about programmes involving children, in particular ones linked to work at orphanages. Be aware of the impact that you’ll have on the children while being there, and what you leave behind once leaving the project. I’ve also since learned how the volunteer company that I joined, operates and treats its local project partners, and thus now know the importance of choosing the right agency.

While working with children can have an impact on their learning and social capabilities, it’s not only in these areas that you need to be aware of the footprint you leave behind as a volunteer. In case you haven’t already watched the highly talked about documentary Blood Lions, you need to do so! It helped expose the cruel canned hunting industry in South Africa, and how trophy hunters from all over the World are paying large sums of money to kill lions bred for the purpose. It finally also made volunteers aware that petting and working with lion cubs have no sustainable or well-intentioned purpose. They are bred for the sole purpose of being shot by trophy hunters, and this will be their fate, as soon as tourists and volunteers find them too old and not cute enough to pet. You can read more about this from our blog "The Awful Business of Canned Hunting".

Any true wildlife sanctuary with predators will not allow interaction with them, and if so, will usually be very limited and by permanent staff. The main purpose of true sanctuaries is to re-introduce wildlife back into the wild. If this is not possible, the animals will spend the rest of their days at that sanctuary. This also means that no breeding will ever take place, as no sanctuary will ever continue the circle of breeding wildlife to stay in captivity; because what would the point be of having inbred animals unfit to be released in the wild? Volunteer programmes that have breeding and interaction with predators, in particular big cats, are only part of this for the money. It's a money machine that volunteers and tourists alike keep supporting, because who doesn't want to pet or walk with a cheetah? Don't do it! Only support true sanctuaries that work for the purpose of keeping wildlife wild. You should ask yourself - when has it ever been normal to pet, walk or interact with a dangerous wild animal? You are not Mowgli and this is not the Jungle Book! This brings me back to my purpose of speaking at the conference in Birmingham. I advised the future travellers and volunteers listening, to ask the important questions and do the research. Like going to a new restaurant or buying a new product; the small investigator in you has to try and work out if it’s the right place or product to choose for the money you are paying. While this might seem like common sense, it is now more than ever the most important thing to do, as you can easily end up being part of the problem instead of the solution. You can find all of the questions, which we believe are important to ask the volunteer company that you’d like to volunteer with here, and also find our own answers to these.

A few thousand kilometres outside the mainland of the African continent, you will find the small exotic island nation, Mauritius. From the beautiful white sandy beaches, you dive into the bright blue lagoons with the ability to explore the World’s third largest coral reef and the rare marine species that live there. These “rainforests of the sea” are some of the most diverse eco-systems on Earth, and while together occupying very little space, they provide a home for a vast number of marine species essential to our oceans. However, coral reefs are very fragile, and the World has witnessed reef deaths as consequences of years of increasing water temperatures, oceanic acidification, overfishing and pollution among many other reasons.

Tourism is one of the main sources of income for Mauritius, and the natural resources unique to the nation have been paying the price for human intrusion for centuries. Pollution has in particular been the result from years of development, which has failed to take the protection and preservation of the environment into consideration. In 2009, our ‘Lagon Bleu’ project started with the aim to protect, preserve and restore the marine and costal environment of Blue Bay and Pointe d’Esny.

They work hard and tirelessly on the project to prevent and diminish some of the major threats that face the coral reefs of Mauritius. This includes non-recycled waste (plastic), pollution, mechanical or chemical destruction of the habitat of corals, fish and other marine species, fishing practices (some illegal), and unscrupulous tourist operators exploiting the reefs. Now this is where YOU have the chance to be part of this amazing work, and be part of the solution to the ever-increasing environmental threats to Mauritius. There are many varied opportunities as a volunteer, and your duties could include anything from lagoon monitoring, beach and mangrove cleaning to local community support and giving school lessons. There is even now the exciting new opportunity to take part in a new project, which is trying to determine whether the endangered Green Turtle and the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtles are nesting on Mauritius. This has not been the case for decades, but you could be part of the team that would do the work to confirm this.

Any task and project that you partake in has a purpose towards the protection and preservation of the environment. For example, the project’s ecological education programme has thus far reached 1500 primary school children. Educating the local population is essential, if they are to become future advocates for the coral reefs and the many rare species that still inhabit them and the islands. It is important to see every act of this project as part of a whole, and like an eco-system, they all have an effect on and purpose for each other.

So, instead of visiting like a regular tourists, why not visit this beautiful island nation as a volunteer. For a few weeks or even several months, you would help with important conservation work, while experience all that the country has to offer. In the end, your data and assistance to the local population is invaluable to the research and final evaluations that will help facilitate an appropriate protection strategy for reefs. This helps safeguard the future of the reefs, and thus in the end also the future of the country. You would in the end go back home with an enhanced understanding of marine ecosystems, developed your data collection and research skills, and in all just gained an invaluable experiences with people from around the World in a beautiful place in the Indian Ocean while making a difference.

Volunteering in Africa: Conservation and wildlife research

Since 2012 I have spent a month each winter involved in volunteering on a game reserve. It has been a great opportunity to get out of my comfort zone of life in the Western world. I would recommend the experience to all people of all ages. Whilst I have focussed very much on conservation and wildlife research, there are a wide variety of projects all over the World, which may be of more appeal to you personally.

Why do I choose to give my time?

To live in a game reserve in basic but comfortable facilities is a huge contrast to my life in Central London. I meet fascinating people of all ages from all over the World with a shared interest; the conservation of the wild. Volunteers can be school leavers on a gap year before college, university students exploring before they start work, working people on holiday, working people between jobs, and even retired people like me.

I leave each project with special memories and experiences.

With Working Abroad, I have undertaken 2 special and contrasting trips; in March 2015 I spent 4 weeks at the Kariega Game Reserve, South Africa, and in January/February 2016, a month in Namibia initially for a short induction at the Wildlife Sanctuary, near Windhoek, and then in the Kanaan Desert Retreat in the Sossusvlei region.

Kariega was a private game reserve of 10,000 hectares of pristine African wilderness incorporating the Kariega and Bushmans rivers. It is 15km inland from Kenton-on-sea and 150km North-East of Port Elizabeth. March is the end of the wet season and temperatures are very comfortable. The reserve was well stocked with a wide variety of animals including the Big 5.

Kanaan in contrast is a harsh desert environment where temperatures in January regularly meet the mid-forties. Obtaining an understanding of how the plant life and animals survived was an eye-opener. The scenery was breath taking particularly at sunrise and sunset.

Thoughts on my trip to Kanaan

I flew out from London Heathrow to Johannesburg for a transfer to Windhoek. I was met at the airport by a courier who took me through the local countryside to the N/a’an ku se wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is at 6,000 ft. A lot cooler than Kanaan and wetter as it was the wet season.

I was taken to my room in a building with shared showers and washroom – not a tent which accommodated quite a few volunteers. My room-mate was a German about 30 who had stayed a week at the sanctuary and was travelling to Neuras on the Saturday.

I spent the afternoon exploring the sanctuary with volunteers involved with the feeding of the animals taking me round. At 1700 hrs we went out on a jeep to help feed the wild dogs always an entertaining moment as at the sanctuary.

The evening meal was buffet style and quite acceptable. Drinks could be bought from the bar. There were around 30-35 volunteers along with the co-ordinators. There were very few men and most people were European and gap year students.

Friday morning was spent receiving induction into the projects along with 6 other starters. This included presentations about the sanctuary, a tour of the facilities, and presentations on the other projects at Neuras and Kanaan.

There were a wide variety of animals at the sanctuary including baboons, a cape vulture, cheetah, wild dogs, leopard, mongoose, meerkats, hartebeest, duiker, oryx, vervet monkeys, geese, turkeys, peacocks, and porcupine. Most were orphaned and injured animals, or previously household pets. In the afternoon we were assigned to a project group, including food preparation and feeding, enclosure cleaning, baboon walks, cheetah walks etc. I was assigned to food prep.

Saturday is transfer day leaving the sanctuary by 0715 hrs for a 4 hour drive to Neuras. We had lunch at Neuras, the wine estate and then transferred onto the jeep that was taking us onto Kanaan. It had travelled up from Kanaan that morning. We had another 3.5 hour drive to Kanaan with one stop.

Apart from the first hour or so travel was on gravel roads; well-constructed but dusty – speed limit 50mph.

Four of us made the trip from the sanctuary to Kanaan and we arrived in the late afternoon.

The drive was through stunning countryside with a mixture of farms and game reserves. We followed a thunderstorm which was localised. As we turned into the main gate at the Kanaan reserve we were greeted with a stream of water running down the road after the storm had passed over Kanaan. By the time we reached the farmhouse, 8 km further, we were told that they had no rain.

Kanaan

We are staying in the old farmhouse which is very comfortable. The food has been exceptionally good and we have eaten at the desert retreat at least once a week when they have had visitors. Visitors are generally German; there has been one Norwegian couple and one English couple.

There has been a high turnover of volunteers as many only stay a week at Kanaan and split their other weeks over the sanctuary or Neuras.

Our guide, Karl, was only around for 3 weeks as he left for a holiday on the Okavango river for my last week. He is Namibian, qualified at college in America at West Michigan and then spent some time in American National Parks. He is being replaced by a co-ordinator from the sanctuary for the last week. Liz is from Delaware and has been working at the foundation for 3 years after an initial period as a volunteer.

Only one volunteer is at Kanaan for the 4 weeks that I am there: a Brazilian girl who is qualified as a biologist and has spent nearly 3 months at Kanaan in 2 trips. She is doing some extra research into the predators.

In the first week there were 4 other volunteers; a middle aged Northern Ireland couple – he is a plumber and she cares for her mother who has cirosis of the liver; a male post graduate from Hereford who starts teaching at a college in Wiltshire in February; and a Danish girl who is waiting to go to college.

In the second week there were 4 other volunteers: 3 German girl school leavers and a post graduate man from Derby.

In the third week there was only one other volunteer; a middle aged American lady from Utah who now lives in New York and works in finance for the Museum of Natural History.

For my final week there are 4 new volunteers: a New Yorker who is on a gap year before he goes to college in Maryland, a male park ranger from Banff who originates from Hawaii, a retired teacher from Cambridge whose husband is a lecturer in veterinary medicine at the university, a police officer from Cheltenham – she is on a year’s sabbatical from the police looking at a new career in wildlife and animal conservation. An interesting group.

One evening, Rudie van Vuuren, a director of the charity along with his wife, flew down from Windhoek and stayed at the retreat with 2 agents to whom he was promoting the desert retreat. We spent a very enjoyable evening in his company hearing about the project.

A typical week:

Generally we go out at 0630 hrs after breakfast at 0600 hrs. The sun is rising now at around 0655 hrs; when I arrived it was about 0620 hrs.

Sunday: an introduction to the reserve for newcomers involving resetting trap cages which are closed down for the transfer day, collecting data from camera traps, and touring south of farm. One week we closed down one cage and moved it alongside the hyena trap cage, another week we reconstructed the cheetah cage. As we have been unsuccessful in capturing any animal, we have to try out different looks.

Monday: the morning is spent exploring an area for hyena and other predator spoor. We are trying to locate hyena dens in particular. One week we followed hyena spoor for over 10 km.

Tuesday: a game count in one half of the reserve, and collecting camera traps.

Wednesday: save an oryx day, by removing fencing within the reserve. They believe removing 50 yards of fencing saves one oryx. We usually remove about 2-300 metres each time. All materials are recycled and are stored in a scrap area.

Thursday: a game count in the other half of the reserve, collecting camera traps, and clearing the cheetah boma of bones and poo.

Friday: breakfast watching the sun come up on the dunes, further exploration, clean the jeep,

Saturday: transfer day.

Lunch is at 1200 hrs. We have only had one packed lunch as it is too hot to stay out in the middle of the day. Temperatures have consistently been mid-forties – I have managed the heat quite well. 2 were really troubled by the heat in my second week. Skies have been virtually cloudless apart from one afternoon when we had a thunderstorm for about 90 mins providing 10mm of much needed rain. Activities were not disrupted by the rain.

Each day we have to check trap cages; there are 2 trap cages – one for hyena and the other for a cheetah. We will also visit camera traps around the reserve as we pass them – some are checked weekly, others every other week. We download the data onto a PC checking for activity. Oryx, springbok, ostrich, jackal are regular visitors. We are particularly interested in hyena, leopard, cheetah, and caracal which have all appeared somewhere during my time here.

Early afternoons are spent at rest and then carrying out data collection (if there is no other project work) from the camera traps or inputting results from the game counts. Project work during my time involved building a hay shelter for the horses from materials taken from the reserve such as fencing etc. Note, 2 years ago the reserve was a sheep and cattle farm.

Once a week we have a night drive, another night we sleep out under the stars in a concrete dam, Sunday evening is sundowner, Friday morning we watch the sunrise over the dunes and evening we have a braai.

Sunday to Friday, we feed and water the 4 cheetahs (2 male, 2 female around 3-4 years) in the 4 hectare boma. Saturday is a day of fast for them. They will never be fully released in the wild as they could not support themselves. We can get within a few feet of them.

Every other day we visit the 3 young meerkats (one male and 2 females around one year old) that have been introduced to the reserve after spending their early days in the sanctuary. They are now very settled but we have to boost their water source to help them. They have been in the wild about 2 months and we no longer jump out the jeep to play with them. It is noticeable how independent they have become and we don’t always see them as their territory is a river bed of around 600 metres.

All the game are wild and very wary of vehicles. The main road runs through the middle of the reserve. As a result getting good animal photos is very difficult. For example I have only long distance photos of springbok, and ostrich. The scenery is fabulous so a lot of landscape photos and sunrise + sunset. It is a harsh environment but most interesting.

Volunteering at Kariega Game Reserve

I spent March 2015 at the Kariega Game Reserve. The project was focussed upon conservation and wild life research in the reserve.

We were picked up in Port Elizabeth on a Monday and were taken by mini-van 150 kms to the North East to the reserve. It was a straightforward journey as the road was tarmac until we reached the entrance to the reserve.

Our accommodation was a comfortable bungalow with 4 bedrooms, a lounge, dining room and kitchen along with 2 bathrooms in a small grassed enclosure surrounded by fencing to protect us from the wild life. There was a tree where we could climb up a ladder to a platform that could be used for viewing wild life that came close to the bungalow. This was particularly useful on the guide’s day off, each Sunday, when we were restricted to the enclosure for the day.

Maintaining the garden, cleaning of the accommodation, and washing clothes was carried out by Kariega staff on a daily basis. The volunteers were expected to cater for themselves. Provisions for the week were provided with a suggested rota system for cooking the evening meal together with potential meals and recipes to cook. Volunteers proved to be very adept at coming up with interesting evening meals and indeed supplemented the food provided when they visited the local town Kenton-on-sea. We all catered for ourselves at breakfast and lunch; cereals, bread, fruit, eggs, bacon, salad etc were provided. There were also provisions for a braai once a week.

Our guide, Francis, provided an induction on our arrival and on the Tuesday morning we were straight into the routine. Each Tuesday, Francis would take us on a game drive to familiarise all new volunteers with the reserve. It was a good time for photography.

Activities each week depended upon the weather, the requests from the resident full time researchers and the conservation tasks outstanding.

Typically one morning a week was allocated to a game count along a pre-set route, 2 mornings a week allocated to conservation tasks, which included road clearing and repair, cutting down invasive species of tree, pulling out small bushes or saplings, and helping create a new garden at the main lodge. There was a weekly trip to a local school at the village of Farmerfield, to help with the education of young children, a night drive, and game drives when camera traps were checked. Less regular activities include a once a month bird count.

During free time we had opportunities to swim or canoe in the Kariega river, swim in a pool, walk up a stream and swim under a waterfall.

Saturday was a rest day and there was opportunities to travel in the area. Trips could be organised to nearby game reserves such as Addo Elephant Park, horse riding in the dunes by the sea, visits to Kenton-on-sea and its beach which was beautiful.

One evening a week we would go into town to shop at the supermarket for drinks and food. We would then either go to the beach restaurant or a local bar for pizza and beer plus wine.

What were those special moments:

1.       A herd of elephants at a waterhole: as the ground dries after the wet season the elephants will always spend part of the day by a waterhole. From a good vantage point it is a wonderful sight see a herd of 30+ elephants approaching the waterhole and then enjoying a wallow in the mud and/or a drink. The cameras are working overtime.

2.       Lion hunting: I witnessed an attempt by a lioness to catch an impala, and the male lion catching a warthog

In the southeastern Caribbean Sea, you will find the island also known as the "Island of Spice”, but more commonly known as Grenada. An island that offers everything that the Caribbean is known for - beautiful beaches and nature sites, lots of history and a diverse wildlife. Grenada’s unique wildlife includes the critically endangered Leatherback sea turtle. The Leatherback turtle has experienced great resistance due to egg harvesting, unsustainable fisheries, climate change and environmental pollution among other reasons. The Leatherback turtle is critically endangered around the world, which makes conservation efforts more important than ever.

‘Ocean Spirits’ is the name of a non-profit organisation based in Grenada, which has been engaged with conservation efforts since 1999. Their main purpose has been to protect the turtle species found throughout Grenada by engaging with research, education and community development. They have put great emphasis on involving the Grenadian community, who now takes an active role in the conservation of the turtles. Ocean Spirits has managed to take the important step of showing the local population that the Leatherback turtle is more valuable to the community alive, as a part of the eco-tourism programmes, than as dead for the sole purpose of consumption.

Ocean Spirits offers the opportunity to become one of their Research Assistants, who will get a first-hand experience on working with sea turtles. This is where YOU come in. For a few weeks or even several months, you have the opportunity to be actively involved with the research team, and be part of the conservation efforts that help reduce the illegal poaching activities. You will also be part of the community efforts in place that help create important awareness with the people living in Grenada, who are part of the solution to the future of marine conservation.

It is possible to partake in the programme from February-August this year, which is also during nesting season (March-July). Your duties will be varied and can entail data collection, camp organisation, night patrols and assisting with organised turtle watching tours. Not to forget that you will have the amazing experience of doing all of this work on a beautiful island in the middle of the Caribbean.

While it will be some weeks before being able to join as a volunteer, you can start making a difference today. The past year has seen an increasing awareness on plastic and how it ends up in oceans. While plastic can be recycled in most countries, the most sustainable way to help our oceans and its wildlife is by choosing the alternatives. There is no need for you to drink from the single-use plastic bottles or buy another plastic bag at the supermarket. Marine life like turtles are suffering badly from plastic debris, as they either choke on it mistaking it for food or get caught up in it. Do your part, drop the plastic and be part of the solution!

We brought you yet more tales from the wild on our desert elephant conservation project one month ago, and now we have even more awesome accounts lined up for you! If you're thinking of volunteering, take a peek at what our fantastic volunteers have to say about their experiences!

http://www.workingabroad.com/projects/elephant-volunteer-namibia

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Build week was fun and interesting. Working hard but with plenty of rest and good company. Camp was so well organized and the sanitary conditions were unfounded. Slept really well,  great (!) food. Suggested the staff publish a recipe book with photos etc. Could be sold for the ‘coffee table’ and a possible earner.

It was a great experience living on a farm seeing first hand the challenges the farmers face. It’s such an inhospitable land. The beauty of the land is intense and there are plenty of opportunities to go for walks, take photos and take it all in. Work was rewarding and fun. Patrol week was a massive privilege. The expert knowledge of our guides just enhanced the incredible experience of observing these amazing creatures at such close range. Everyday brought more amazing situations and when we could watch the herds at one of the water points, it brought the whole experience to full circle. Camping in the foothills of Brandberg Mountain I will never forget. The Brandberg is so dramatic and absolutely beautiful. Learning about  the animal tracks was really interesting. Chris, Mattias and Marius were brilliant. I will recommend this project and cannot find a negative comment- maybe a little too much gem squash!!!! Thank you to the staff! It has been a huge privilege

Caroline

  Where do I start? It has been an amazing two weeks and I wish it wasn’t coming to an end. Build week was hard work but a great learning experience. We started building a new water point wall for a farmer that had been “visited” often by elephants. We all worked within our own abilities and everyone - staff and volunteers - helped each other out. Duties ranged from mixing cement, sand and aggregate (to make concrete) to collecting rocks for the wall to stacking the rocks and concrete up to form the wall. In the evenings we took turns cooking. I was a little worried about food, being a vegetarian, but realized quickly that I had no need to be – between Thai green curry, veggie potjie, (veg) spaghetti Bolognese etc. It was quite luxurious, I must say. The volunteers ranged from students to accountants to graphic designers, from different countries and across all age groups. It was a great mix and everyone was really friendly. It was a great chance to interact with people from all walks of life.

During patrol week, we spent the week following the elephant herds to observe them and collect pictures and data for the project’s records. I found out that staff on the project share the information with the Namibian government so it’s really valuable work being done to protect the species. The highlight of patrol week for me was when three elephants came right up to our jeep, looked at us, sniffed the jeep with their trunks and walked on. Such a special moment I’ll never forget.

Special thanks to Chris, Mattias and Marius for making this such a wonderful trip for us all. Between Chris’ insight and enthusiasm, Mattias’ brilliant sense of humour and Marius’ extensive knowledge on everything under the sun, it really was the perfect combination. Thanks, guys-you were truly fantastic!

All-in-one, a very insightful trip. I’ve learnt a lot about nature, Namibia, elephants and discovered so much about myself. The best moment for me? Staying up every night to watch the stars in the sky, it was truly magical. One fine night I saw a shooting star for the first time. And I made a wish.

This was a life-changing experience. My only regret is not staying longer.

Hugs,

Sonia

My first trip to Namibia and a wonderful experience. Build week was challenging but fun, my favourite job was the rock run though I don’t think I could ever compete with Mattias in a rock lifting competition. Everybody worked hard and we got as much of the wall build as possible hopefully the next group will finish it. Whilst I enjoyed build week the real highlight of the trip for me was patrol week, following the elephants and at times having them very close to the vehicles checking us out was one of the best experiences of my life, they are without doubt one of the most intelligent species on earth, but someone needs to tell Voortrekker to stop showing off.

I would recommend this trip to anyone who has a love for wildlife in their hearts. All the guys who work on the project are fantastic and have an in-depth knowledge of the Namibian wildlife and the issues  they face.

The project is run by wonderful people and I hope they are around for a long time to help conserve one of planet earth’s most iconic species.

Thanks all

Mark Jameson

It was a really amazing experience to be so close to the elephants! I really enjoyed the two weeks far away from civilization. Everyone should do this, because we don’t need much to be happy. Sitting by the fire with a tea, in the night starring at the stars-that’s all you need to be happy!

Thanks a lot to Chris, Mattias and Marius, they did a great job! Hope this project will exist for a long time!

Thanks for all,

Christiane Werum

UPDATE JULY - SEPTEMBER 2013

LOCAL OCEAN TRUST: WATAMU TURTLE WATCH

Encouraging YOU to ‘love your local ocean!’

  Nesting Programme

The Watamu Sea Turtle Programme is delighted to announce that the nesting sea turtles have broken the record this year with a total amount of 52 nests laid so far on Watamu Marine Park beach. This is great news for the Nest Monitoring & Protection programme and the Watamu area.

There have been 13 nesting females this quarter of which one laid 7 nests, and there have been 3 new females sighted and tagged. A total of 41 nests have hatched in 2013 so far and as we approach the end of the season we anticipate having yet more new nesting females. 26 of these nests hatched in this quarter with over 2400 hatchlings making it safely to the ocean. This brings the total hatchlings in 2013 to 4920. On a gloomier note we are looking into information that at least two of our nesting females may have been slaughtered

  By-Catch Net Release Programme

Fishing in the creek and in the ocean are major commercial activates in Watamu but the fishing gear used is of serious threat to the sea turtles. The net release programme offers a chance of survival for the turtles which are entangled in nets or caught on hooks. The data collected through this programme is vital for studying the trends of the turtles in Watamu and Mida Creek, with the data being filtered to study growth rate and population density for instance.

In total 246 releases were conducted through the By-Catch Net Release programme in the last three months – 99 Endangered Green turtles, 145 Critically Endangered Hawksbill, 1 Endangered Loggerhead and 1 Vulnerable Olive Ridley. The total number of releases since 1998 is 9951, so we’re getting close to our 10,000th sea turtle release.

  Rehabilitation Centre

Spear gun injuries, fibropapillomatosis, broken or jagged flippers, fishing hook wounds, infestation of goose barnacles, algae and emaciation are just some of the symptoms the rehab clinic has had to contend with this quarter. Of the 17 patients, 11 were successfully treated and released but 6 unfortunately died.

The Watamu Sea Turtle Programme team left for an anti-poaching survey and they returned with Bahati, a female green turtle. The team had startled a number of poachers who were about to kill the large green female turtle and she had a spear gun injury in her neck and another through her flipper. A second poaching incident was Tumaini, a male green brought in with a serious head injury that had already started to heal (fragmented skull and crushed nasal cavity). Both turtles were successfully rehabilitated and released.

Our vet is always on standby to provide service and the turtle clinic advances every day in research related to drugs and equipment to enable us to take better care for the sick and injured patients. The total number of patients treated to date is 253.

  Education

15 Schools, 414 Students and 25 WCK Patrons have aided the 1674 students in 2013 so far who have visited the programme site. Each school brings an average of 25 students every term in locally hired transport facilitated by the education programme. Due to the popularity of the visit, WCK patrons have alerted us that more students would like to visit and we feel that the role we are playing in teaching our local children about our marine environment is an investment for the future.

The children are learning about their marine environment, sea turtles, whale sharks, dugongs, hazards of marine debris and mangroves. It is amazing to see the children share what they know and leave knowing that they can talk about marine topics from an informed point of view. For the schools who we cannot afford to bring to the project, Ann (our Education coordinator) conducts presentations and discussions at the schools.

For our young Marine Scouts, education has involved rock pooling, snorkelling, species identification and planting mangroves – they have so far planted 235 seedlings. These activities are aimed at improving their scientific and research skills. Some of the species they have recently identified are octopi, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, puffer fish and tube fish.

  Community Outreach

The Watamu Sea Turtle Programme continues to build a strong network between Beach Management Units. Currently we are doing rotational visits, sharing information and ideas, which has also prompted BMUs that are losing focus to arrange regular meetings. We are also assisting them in uniting together to fight the continuing ring netting problems. Our liaison officer in Watamu is also assisting with ring net campaigns and is a member of the Watamu fishing community, which is petitioning to the Fisheries Department NOT to allow ring netters.

Further, the fourth first aid refresher course designed by our very own Sammy Safari was held in Uyombo and the topics covered included qualities of a first aider, content/use of first aid kit, broken limbs and jigger treatment using Sammy’s natural homemade remedy.

We are also working with 19 community groups right now. Many of our groups are involved with alternative income-generating activities to ease the pressure on the marine environment, and the following are some of the activities we are encouraging:

cassava growing

beekeeping

indigenous tree nurseries

selling gravel for building and construction

soap making

mangrove restoration

The Watamu Sea Turtle Programme continues to make regular visits and provide advice and assistance towards their activities.

September had so many wonderful highlights and numerous national significant days were celebrated by volunteers on Kariega Game Reserve.

Volunteers got to meet one of Africa’s most travelled men, adventurer, activist, conservationist and a true legend among Africans – Kingsley Holgate. Kingsley is currently on a mission across South Africa to help raise awareness of rhino poaching by letting the youth of today express themselves through art. The local school where volunteers teach weekly also took part in the Children’s art rhino competition. The winning pupil of our school along with about 20 other pupils from the surrounding areas got to meet Kingsley at Kariega Game reserve, where he had an inspiring talk about Africa and rhino poaching. The kids also got to go out on a game drive afterwards to see a rhino in the wild. A once in a lifetime experience for our school’s winner – Max, who got to see his first ever elephant on the drive too.

National Arbor week and Coastal clean-up Day were celebrated by Kariega volunteers by means of planting the so called ‘miracle tree of the century’ – Spekboom, and by hiking along the beautiful Kenton-on-sea coastline to clear the beaches of any rubbish. Volunteers got the surprise of their lives one afternoon while harvesting Spekboom cuttings to plant…a BLACK RHINO was happily browsing away a mere 20m from the volunteers collecting trees on foot! Walking to the car has never been done so fast by any volunteer this whole year. It’s only when we were all safely on the car that all of us burst out into laughter and were relieved that the rhino didn’t even notice us. Never a dull moment in the bush!

Volunteers also got to take part in a 500-runner strong Rhino Trail Run event held on the beautiful coastline of Kenton-on-sea on the 22nd of September – World Rhino Day. It was a beautiful 6km run along the beach and through some dune thickets. An amazing day celebrated for a precious cause.

It is important that visiting volunteers to the area get to experience and learn as much as possible about the area, its history, cultures and people. In the last few weeks volunteers had the opportunity once a week to visit the surrounding rural areas and help out with gardening, teaching in the crèche, doing house visits and getting involved in youth groups aimed at keeping the local teenagers away from crime and drugs through education and by giving them activities to do like sports. Most of the volunteers were totally shocked by the living conditions of these people and eyes were opened and made them realise just how easy it is to take things for granted. We hope to continue with this new community project that is aimed at enabling and equipping the local community with the skills they need to be self-sustainable and self-sufficient by providing services amongst each other that will be of benefit to the whole community. 

While volunteers were out facilitating a discussion about crime and drugs in the local youth group one day, we got a call from Kariega’s Wildlife Manager – our dominant lion is going to be darted and collared in an hour. We rushed to the reserve (adrenaline pumping) and the whole capture procedure went very smooth and was a big success. Volunteers got the once-in-a-lifetime experience of touching and being up close to a massive lion in his prime. The reserve collared the lion in order to make gathering data on these magnificent creatures a bit easier by enabling us to find them in a massive and thick vegetated reserve.

We were out monitoring our elephant herd one day when we were surprised by two new-borns stumbling between the massive legs of their caring mothers. What a welcomed sight, seeing our herd thriving in the reserve and giving birth to a new generation of magnificent giants. We could not be happier!

In between all the hard work of removing alien trees from the reserve and controlling bush encroachment by applying herbicide by hand to each individual tree, volunteers also had the chance to relax and enjoy the marvels that this beautiful reserve has to offer. This included canoeing on the Kariega River, hikes, visiting the secret waterfall, camping and having barbeques in the middle of the bush.

From my side I want to say good-bye and thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers that have come to Kariega and has made this year the absolute adventure that it has been! I am off to a new chapter in my life and I leave you with the more than capable and friendly Frances who is going to lead new volunteers into countless more treasured memories and adventures.

Come join the Kariega Conservation Volunteer Programme!

Azél Crous

Kariega Game Reserve: Volunteer Coordinator

Being a student or graduate is arguably tougher than it has ever been before. With a rising number of people opting to study for a degree after finishing college, more students and graduates are competing for entry level jobs. This, coupled with escalating university prices, means that both will certainly have it tough for the considerable future.

However, it is important not to despair; there are still plenty of things that students and recent graduates can do to strengthen their CV, and to broaden their horizons. Perhaps the most valuable is the undertaking of volunteering or intern work within the sector associated to the degree. Not only does this provide the practical, hands-on experience that future employers so desire, but it also offers the chance to make valuable connections within the sector. In an age where many jobs are filled through referrals, it is essential that students and graduates make themselves known by understanding the importance of networking.

For those looking for a role in the environmental sector, health/childcare sector or teaching sector, workplace experience is of particularly high value. Whilst a university degree is valued, it is only a tick in a box. It is the practical experience that offers prospective employers the indication of whether the applicant is suited for the job.  So if you decide to join a TEFL Teaching programme, you don’t show them your list of qualifications - you just start teaching to demonstrate your ability.

We, at WorkingAbroad, feel that combining a gap year with supporting a local programme, learning a skill, and at the same time enhancing your own personal development and experience is the best outcome for all: the volunteer and the organisation in the field.

The small grassroots organisations we work with require volunteer assistance to carry out their programmes and without the volunteer’s financial contribution there wouldn't be anyone patrolling the beaches, researching the coral reefs, teaching in schools or planting trees.  Our partners in the field are not operating their programmes for profits: the money that is leftover goes back into the organisation to increase the numbers of protected sea turtles, build more trails and schools, and have more eyes and ears for cutting edge environmental research. 

By volunteering abroad, students and graduates also open up a whole new world of opportunity within their sector that they may otherwise not have known to exist. Environmental conservation, for instance, is required in all countries across the globe, though the specifics vary between countries and continents. A conservation student studying in the UK, who chooses to volunteer with sea turtles for a month in Grenada, may end up opting to continue down that line of work - a line of work they may have never otherwise experienced.

The world of volunteering abroad is therefore not only valuable for students looking to gain that all important work experience to strengthen their CV, but it also offers students and graduates the chance to experience a new side of the working environment related to their degree.

In short, students and graduates must not under-estimate the importance of volunteering or intern roles. Without it, the quest for a full-time job will be far more of a struggle.

So go out there and enjoy your volunteering; make new friends, taste new foods, see a shark, or climb a high mountain.  The world is a place of beauty for all to experience; both good and bad.  You are privileged to be able to take a gap year and experience the world in this way - be thankful.

A while ago we shared some of our volunteers' experiences of working with Desert Elephants in Namibia with you, and now we have even more stories to share from some of our more recent volunteers there. What our volunteers are doing is invaluable to both the community and the elephants of Namibia, and it is vital that we continue to provide them both with our support to ensure the continuation of their harmonious relationship!

http://www.workingabroad.com/projects/desert-elephants-project-namibia

"(This entry appears to be written by a plastic flamingo kinder surprise toy!)

My adventures began when a build-week weary crew rocked up in the dusty town of Uis with a chocolate craving and a curiosity for African kinder surprise toys-and there I was! I was invited to be the car mascot for patrol week and gratefully accepted, but the bloody Ausies called me Kylie! I took up my place in a car in the back of the seat, but my one-legged karate stance made it a bit hard to stay upright on the bumpy dirt roads, especially with Mathias’ erratic driving.

First stop for patrol week was at a sponsored school, where we handed out donations of blankets, underwear, pens and pencils for the kids. They were so grateful and sang 3 songs for us – I’ll have to remember to tell my flock about the GROOVY song – it was awesome! It wasn’t long after that that we spotted our first ellies! They were so huge and I was at first quite scared, but thankfully I was squished into the back of the seat by the volunteers climbing onto the roof of the 4x4 to get a better view. I was most thankful as I couldn’t move my plastic wings to cover my eyes!

Mamma Afrika and some bulls were the first ones we come across. It was the first time I’d seen elephants and it was amazing. You don’t come across as many on the Supermarket shelves in Uis, let me tell you! The second and third days of patrol we saw the G6 and Ugab Small herds. They came right up to the cars and rocks that we were sitting on, it was such an incredible experience. Back at the base camp now and I’ve taken pride of place on the table. I do hope other groups look after me – I am quite adventurous and can be quite fun! Even though I’ve only been with the group for a week, we all had a great laugh. Can’t wait to see what we get up to on my next adventure!

Love – Karate kicks, Kylie the Flamingo"

"Our two weeks are almost up and everyone is chilling out at base camp enjoying a little R’n’ R. The breezy tree house is the perfect spot to unwind, reflect and chat about the fabulous two weeks we’ve just had. Elephant patrol – well it goes without saying how awesome it is to see the desert elephants roaming free going about their daily routine. Build week – well it seems so long ago! Despite us all being strangers at the beginning, we pulled together to achieve a near complete wall and all felt rather pleased with our hard work at the end. Memories I’ll take away with me….great people and new friends, the smell of burning ellie dung, Mattias’s laugh, bird chatter everywhere, super tasty camp dinners, superb sunsets and of course the elephants. We were lucky enough to have the G6 herd come right up to our patrol cars twice. We were within metres of them and at one point completely surrounded!

My top tips for enjoying your time: 1. You can never have too many wet wipes! 2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! (Unless you like the scaly look…) 3. You know it’s hot when the Mopani bees make an appearance – beware of their preference for getting up noses and ears! 4. Burning elephant dung helps keep the bees at bay and actually smells quite pleasant too. 5. Bring a few cold beers or ciders to enjoy at the end of the day – African sundowners are the best! 6. Mattias will manage to make you look like a pony weakling with his superb boulder carrying capabilities – just accept it! 7. Dry shampoo isn’t all its cracked up to be….just tie it all back or shove it under a hat and save luggage space for wet wipes! 8. One set of clothes for build week is perfectly acceptable. Everybody smells as bad as each other 9. If you are sprung by goats during “bush business” beware…the farmer is usually close behind! 10. The resident camp hornbill’s name is “Haratio” (Steve)…just so you know! 11. Amidst the hundreds of photos you take on ellie patrol, just remember to also just sit, enjoy and immerse yourself in watching them not through the lens of a camera. 12. Come with a sense of humour and lots of enthusiasm. Laugh lots and enjoy all the experiences thrown your way!

Thank you Chris, Mattias, Baron, Rachel, Victro and the rest of the team for a fab experience. I hope to come back again one day…

Big hugs, Peta xxxxx"

"As we lie asleep, the protective arms of the Anna tree embrace us, the stars above twinkling like diamond studs along the boughs. A gentle breeze rustling the leaves is the only noise.

Suddenly the cry of the pearl spotted owl interrupts the peace. Dawn is coming. I lie awake snuggled in my sleeping bag, as one by one the stars are snuffed out by the slow light of sunrise. The birds are stirring – bullbulls and starlings chatter and babblers babble – Horatio (Steve) starts cooing to his mate.

A rustle of bags and tiptoes on the staircase is followed by the clattering of pans and snapping of twigs as those on kitchen duty to get the breakfast going. A muttered curse under the breath “bloody pat’s been at the bin again!”

Sunlight seeps along the riverbed, painting the valley with hazy light. The rocks turn ochre, the leaves lime, and the branches golden. The EHRA crew comes slowly to life, fumbling for hats as tea and coffee is passed around their tree house home.

“Porridge is ready,” a voice calls. And so another day at EHRA base camp begins. Enjoy!

Cat Early"

What beautiful birds! How often is it that we can actually view images of Macaws in their natural home?! Join our Macaw Release Programme situated in Costa Rica and help to breed and release critically endangered Scarlet and Great Green Macaws back into the wild.

Opportunities available to work at the breeding centre and at three release sites throughout the country, all year round.

Little hatchling <3

Taken by one of our volunteers at our Leatherback and Black Turtle Project in Costa Rica.

For more information about what we do on this project check out our site...