The Tambotie Wildlife Care Centre is rapidly becoming one of the largest and most valued wildlife care centres in South Africa.
Vast stretches of bushveld lie to the north of the metropolitan areas of Johannesburg and Pretoria and the ancient buttresses of the Waterberg Mountains escarpment. The centre is situated within this area on a large game reserve with populations of zebra, buffalo, giraffe and wildebeest to name but a few.
As it is based within an area that is so dominated by wildlife, the centre is perfectly placed to deal with orphaned, injured, sick and quarantined animals. Warthog and antelope species roam the grounds of the centre before being released onto the nearby game reserve and mongooses, servals and even the rarely seen aardvark have all called the centre home. Monkeys, birds of prey, lion cubs, rhino and many other species of animals regularly pass through the centre as they are brought in for treatment and then rehabilitated back into the wild or other reserves.
Students take part in the following activities;
- Daily rounds of the animals resident at the centre, feeding and cleaning enclosures. If orphaned young are at the centre feeding is done throughout the night if necessary!
- If veterinary procedures have been performed changing of bandages or the administration of drugs may be necessary.
- Regular game drives to monitor rare species such as roan and sable antelope on the surrounding game reserve as well as observation of the disease-free buffalo that are bred on the reserve.
- Blood testing of disease-free buffalo when required.
- Game capture and translocation operations - students will be afforded the opportunity to view and partake in actual game capture operations depending on the season and needs of the reserve.
- The local veterinary school uses the wildlife centre for practical exercises and the centre is used as a base for doing operations during which local veterinary students are instructed. Volunteers on the project will be able to observe these procedures.
- Ongoing assembly of a biodiversity profile of the reserve.
- Bird identification, particularly of wetland species as the reserve falls within the greater Nylsvei wetland, a wetland of global importance!
- Volunteers will partake in reserve management activities such as fence line patrols, snare removal and anti poaching activities.
- Volunteers may have the opportunity to go on guided game walks, drives and quad bike trails.
- Assist in the development and design of environmentally friendly areas and enclosures for the animals at the animal care centre.
Please note, although some aspects of the new animal hospital and conference centre are still under construction, many areas are in full use for animal care.
Factbox!
Duration: 2-12 weeks
Cost: From £2290 for 2 weeks up to £5720 for 12 weeks. Includes return international flights from London, transfers, all meals, accommodation, all project-related costs and back up and support. If you do not wish to fly via London, then please see costs here.
Accommodation: Separate wooden chalets with thatched roofs, separate shared ablution facilities and recreation room. Hot showers and flushing toilets.
Time of year: Throughout the year, even over Christmas!
