White Lion and Tiger Breeding Project <strong>Province</strong>: Eastern Cape<br />

White Lion and Tiger Breeding Project

Town: Port Elizabeth

Province: Eastern Cape

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Rate per week: R 5500

Duration: Min. 2 weeks. You can extend for any length of time. Staying for four weeks at the project is recommended.

Dates: This project can be joined at any time of the year.

Introduction: What a opportunity to work with lion and tiger cubs, the park has regular litters of cubs as a breeding centre, so you will almost be guaranteed to work with cubs (Cubs can be handled up to 6 months old). Working as a volunteer you will have the rare oppurtinity of hand rearing lion cubs of different ages. Hand rearing means being responsible for the cubs' well being. This is an amazing experience, working with cubs.

Location: The Project is located 25 km from Port Elizabeth South Africa. Volunteers must arrange their flights to and from Port Elizabeth airport.

Project: Working as a volunteer you will have the rare opportunity of hand rearing cubs of different ages. Hand rearing means being responsible for the cubs' well being. Giving the cubs comfort, feeding them with milk formula from a bottle. Replacing their mother in all ways. Doing the mothers' job of assisting them to urinate and defecate. (For at least the first three weeks as they cannot do this for themselves.) Cuddling and just sitting with them you will enjoy your days in the company of the most sociable of all cats. They love to fall asleep on you lap! Your days on Cub duty will include making the various feed mixtures and preparing meat for the various age group and having interaction with the paying public coming to see the cubs.

Animals: The lion population in the Park is approximately 65, of which nearly 25 are sub-adults and cubs. All the lion cubs born at the Park are hand-reared. The cubs have been inoculated against all known feline diseases including rabies, and have all been tested and found to be free of feline aids and TB. All the cubs are micro-chipped. The park also have four adult Tigers and Four Tiger Cubs and Two Leopard Cubs as from Jan 2010. The Park boasts a large variety in species of wildlife, including Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Impala, Blesbok, Duiker, Monkeys, etc.

Accommodation: The cabins are located between the lion enclosures. Volunteers share four persons per cabin, each cabin has its own bathroom. There is a kitchen and TV lounge at the cabins to relax. All meals are provided and thus are included in your program fees. All vegetarians and vegans are welcome as well as any other special dietary requirements. Internet access is available for emergency purposes, and is charged at the going rate. This must be booked in advance. If you take your own laptop, you can use the telephone link in the restaurant. You must bring your own converter and adapter. You will be required to help prepare your own meals with other volunteers on a rotation basis.

Program: The centre is a haven not only for lions but also several species of wildlife, including Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Tigers, Caracals, Leopard, Meerkat and antelope, including Springbok. Working as a volunteer you will be involved in many aspects of conservation and lion care. When we do have lion cubs you will have the reare opportunity of caring for them. This means being responsible for the cubs' well being. Giving the cubs comfort, feeding them with milk formula from a bottle. Replacing their mother in all ways. Doing the mothers' job of assisting them to urinate and defecate. (For at least the first three weeks as they cannot do this for themselves.) Cuddling and just sitting with them. Interacting with the public cuddling the cubs.

Program may include: Conservation courses on fauna and flora in the region as well as identification of mammals, wildlife spoor, animal dung etc. Assisting with upkeep of the small reserve such as road maintenance, removal alien vegetation etc. Upkeep and improvement of lion enclosures for all lions. Walking lions in the reserve. Assisting with community projects in the area. Observing and studying the lion cubs and their behaviour, cubs are very individual and even the litters vary. Checking reserve and boundaries for snares.

Includes: Accommodation (shared 4 Sleeper Log Cabins), all meals, airport transfers to and from Port Elizabeth airport.

Excludes: All flights, all beverages, excursions, insurance.

Applicants: This project is open to anyone over the age of 18, fairly fit and in good health. All volunteers must arrive with a medical & travel insurance. There are hospitals and medical clinics nearby and you can get normal medical care within a reasonable time. Medical rescue is available in most countries in Africa - please ensure your medical aid will cover that. Volunteers can have rabies & anti-tetanus injections should they wish. Many areas in Africa have a malaria risk. It is suggested you consult your local doctor for malaria medication. The reserve is in a Malaria Free area. Dress code for most projects shoud be natural colour clothing. (Rules of the project should be respected to avoid expulsion from the program.) Wildlife rehabilitation is a sensitive program where wildlife is encouraged to return to the wild (if possible) therefore contact with animals is sometimes limited unless the animal is injured, orphaned or needing to be nursed. Applicants are expected to be physically able to complete tasks and generally get involved with the rest of the younger group of volunteers. A basic English understanding is required. Should there be an applicant with poor English command he/she must be accompanied by an applicant of the same language. Our programs are open to anyone who has an interest interest in Africa, her wildlife and her people.

Hours: Work days will be weekdays from 7-5 with two days of every second week to relax or explore the area. There are a selection of day excursions you can join to surrounding Game Farms and attractions. Most volunteers spend their days off at the Volunteer lodge in Jeffreys Bay www.jbaylodge.com

Freetime: There are a selection of day excursions you can join to surrounding Game Farms and attractions. Jeffreys Bay is a very popular getaway for volunteers.

Volunteers Feedback: VOLUNTEERS MUST KNOW BEFORE ARRIVAL 1. The centre does not always have baby lions available. Please verify if that is the main reason you are coming. 2. The project is located in a reserve set in 120 hectares of superb coastal busch overlooking the Indian Ocean, and 25kms from town. 3. The centre is a haven not only for lions but also several species of wildlife, including Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Tigers, Caracals, Meerkat and antelope, including Springbok. 4. The centre has in the past made most of its income from tourists, both local and international, as well as schools coming for an educational day trip. Visitors visit the centre to get real close to the animals, especially the lions. In some cases, to even hold the baby lions. This has made it possible for the centre to sustain itself over the last 15 years. 5. We cannot change the above as the income from the volunteers alone will not sustain the centre. Therefore, volunteers will interact with the paying public, as part of their daily duties at this project. 6. The project takes place at a legal registered, commercial lion breeding centre where lions are bred for: a. Private reserves b. Zoo’s around the world 7. We ask volunteers to respect the breeders methods and profession as they have been doing this for more than 12 years with great success and respect from Wildlife Conservation experts in the industry.

Contact Tyron for more info +27 83 661 5393