Hands-On Lion Conservation Volunteering - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Detail

Hands-On Lion Conservation Volunteering - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

The mighty Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, will be your backdrop on this ground breaking Lion Rehabilitation programme, This is an opportunity for volunteers to work on the worlds most popular conservation project! We invite you to join us on this unique volunteer project, working hands on with African Lion cubs, and making an impact towards the continued survival of this iconic African animal...

Since the launch of the Hands on Lion Conservation Volunteer Programme at Antelope Park, we have made amazing progress with the help of dedicate staff, persistent visionaries, and passionate international volunteers. We have recently expanded the rehabilitation programme across 2 more countries, and now have a total of three Lion Conservation projects working hard to raise captive bred Lion cubs as self sustaining wild animals.

In partnership with our wildlife trust ALERT (The African Lion & Environmental Research Trust - http://www.lionalert.org/, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the African lion, African Impact initiated a unique 4 stage lion rehabilitation programme. Through this, we seek to provide solutions to the problem of rapidly declining wild lion populations in Africa. We are working towards releasing wild-born offspring of captive bred lions into appropriate national parks and reserves across Africa.

Location: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The project is located on the outskirts of Victoria Falls town; a stone’s throw away from the magnificent thundering waters of the Falls themselvess

Age limit: Minimum 17 years, maximum decided on participants’ health

Required experience: No specific past experience is needed for this project, but a passion for wildlife and conservation is important

Project Duration: 2 – 4 weeks

Project Start Dates: Weekly, every Monday – this project runs all year round

THE 4 STAGE RELEASE PROGRAMME:

The aim of the 4 stage Lion Rehabilitation programme is to release and therefore restore lion populations within Eastern and Southern Africa through a program that will also provide social benefits to surrounding communities.  

In order to do this, all captive bred lions on our projects will go through a 4 stage rehabilitation programme:

STAGE 1 -

Cubs born in our breeding sites are removed from their mothers after a period of initial care  - at this point we take the place of dominant members of their pride, and train them only to the point that they are safe for us to walk with.

The lions are given every opportunity to build their confidence in their natural environment both during the day and at night. As their experience grows they start to take an interest in the wildlife they encounter on the walks, and by the age of eighteen months are able to hunt many of the smaller antelope. By two years old the lions are already seasoned hunters, and we give them plenty of opportunity to practice their natural hunting skills.

STAGE 2 -

In stage two the lions are given the opportunity to develop a natural pride social system in a minimum 500 acre enclosure. They have plenty of wildlife to hunt, and their progress is monitored closely, although all human contact is removed. The lions remain in stage two until the pride is stable, and self-sustaining semi-wild born cubs have been integrated into the pride.

STAGE 3 -

In stage three the pride in stage two is relocated into a managed ecosystem of a minimum 10,000 acres, where:

• There are no resident human beings
• There are sufficient prey species to hunt
• There are competitive species such as hyena

The lions in Stage 3 will give birth to cubs, which will be raised by the pride in the managed ecosystem, which is very close to their natural environment.

STAGE 4 -

In stage 4 lions born in stage 3 can be released into the wild in several natural social groups or ‘prides’

Through these 4 stages, we aim to preserve the African Lion by producing quality gene pools, rebuilding the diminishing numbers of lions, and introducing the offspring back into wild environments.

LIFE AS A VOLUNTEER ON THE PROJECT:

Volunteer involvement is essential the progress of this ground breaking Lion Conservation Project. You can expect days to be long but the work is rewarding, and volunteers will assist our staff with all aspects that go into caring for the animals in their charge. Working hands on with the lions and conducting vital research is a major part of the placement. In addition volunteers will assist with general conservation duties in the National Park such as our Elephant Monitoring Project, and get involved with a number of community initiatives we are running in the area – this may include conservation or health education.

Your Daily Tasks may include:

Lion Rehabilitation:

Spend time working hands on with the lions in the wild each day, to familiarise them with their 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 wildlife whilst out on walks. These abilities are being improved each day under the supervision of trained guides and handlers, as well as volunteers. These are invaluable discoveries, which have earned us further support for our world first endeavours.

Alongside the walks you 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. Join our team of professional guides and other dedicated volunteers, gain a deeper understanding of African lions and other wildlife, and assist us in gathering vital information that will facilitate their eventual release back into the wild.

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 your 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.  You will receive all the training you need in order to ensure that you are able to provide valuable input to this program regardless of previous experience.

Work in the National Park:

As a volunteer you will work with the research team and National Park rangers on any number of conservation activities that may include some or all of the following, based on National Parks needs at the time of your placement:

• Assisting in the development of a new waterhole and renovation (please note this is dependent on funding)
• At Masuwe concession: Carry out snare sweeps to remove the wires set by poachers to illegally catch the animals that inhabit the Reserve;
• Work with local communities to mitigate lion/human conflict.
• Victoria Falls Rain Forrest: Volunteers will be involved in the removal of Invasive Alien Plant species as and when required by the Park Warden.

*Please note: Research activities will be conducted on a case by case basis in collaboration with the National Parks team and their needs at the time as well as seasonality and accessibility to the bush based on the time of year. Please understand that whilst we have made every effort to be as accurate as possible in our explanation of what conservation and research activities you will be involved in during your placement, it is essential that you are flexible and accommodating during your project visit, and that you understand that our team on the ground will make every effort possible to maximise your involvement in these areas.

Teach a Conservation class:

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.  Volunteers will be given full support and guidance in lesson planning, and topics may include focus on a specific species, or introduce conservation methods.

Volunteers will also have the opportunity to visit the local Orphanage weekly, to spend time with the children and give them some much deserved love and attention.

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