Tsau! White Lion Conservation Project

An opportunity to work with the 'world-first' reintroduction of White Lions back to the wild in their endemic area - the Greater Timbavati region, in South Africa. Volunteers form part of the conservation monitoring and tracking team, and have a rare opportunity to gain authentic field experience whilst making a valuable contribution to the long-term conservation of the white lions.

As an organisation, WLT respects the cultures of indigenous peoples, and their spiritual beliefs. It is recommended (although not imperative) that volunteers read the book, Mystery of the White Lions, before joining the programme. This book was written by the Founder of the WLT, Linda Tucker, and is based on 10 years of primary research with indigenous elders and scientists. It considers the mythological/ legendary aspects of the White Lions, as well as the scientific. In Africa, wildlife and animals form the basis of indigenous peoples’ spiritual beliefs. The view is that knowing more about these aspects can only enhance the overall experience of any volunteer. Individuals are given the choice of engaging more deeply in the cultural/spiritual aspects of the White Lion heritage; furthering scientific pursuits; or simply enjoying the wide spread of activities.

 

Volunteer Programme

Lion Monitoring

Bush thinning
Erosion control
Gabion construction
Alien plant control
Lion Predation Activities
Supplementary feeding (during boma bonding)
Boma clearing
Game capture and release (*)

Please note: As a serious reintroduction project, hands-on contact is avoided in the best interests of the animals, except when tranquilised for veterinary treatment or the fitting of radio-collars. Please be cautioned that cub-petting and animal habituation to humans is associated with captive breeding (making reintroduction unlikely to succeed), and often, unfortunately, with “canned” (unethical) hunting activities.

2010 Dates:

You can join from 2 to 8 week periods year round.  5 places available per month.  All volunteers must start on either the first or third Tuesday of every month (see start dates below).

We can also consider up to 12 weeks on a case by case basis, if qualifications/skills and/or previous experience are relevant.

Volunteer requirements:

• Age between 19 and 90 years old.
• Interest / field of study: conservation, environmental science, wildlife management, ecology or wildlife biology, wildlife journalism, wildlife photography, veterinary science, animal behavior studies, animal communication, cultural / community development, alternative disciplines in science or ‘sacred science’; or fields related to the aforementioned.
• Personal qualities of flexibility and adaptability.
• Self-sufficiency: as a member of the conservation team, volunteers prepare their own meals and are responsible for their own ‘house-keeping’.
• Self-motivated: a carefully structured full programme is provided each week, but volunteers need to be adaptable to some programme changes depending on variables in the running of the project. Free time is also factored in, and volunteers need to be independent and mature enough to make constructive use of such recreational time.

Costs