Penguin Rescue
Help rescue and rehabilitate real life “Happy Feet” Penguins. Volunteers will not only have the opportunity to learn about the life cycle and conservation of the African Penguin, which is still an endangered species but will also work very `hands-on` with these birds
from
EUR 1100
Duration: Min 2 weeks
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Project Summary
Your Role
Dates and Duration
Overview
Location
Accommodation
Cape Town`s wild seas are prone to ships having oil spills, which is very bad news for endangered sea birds like the African Penguin that lives and swims along the Cape Coast.
Due to pollution and climate change penguin chicks are becoming more and more vulnerable, and without intervention they would face extinction. This project has stepped up to the plate and is doing all it can to nurture and rescue penguins and other sea birds in distress. Volunteers get involved with the day-to day care od seabirds: washing oil off seabirds, feeding them fish and cleaning their swimming pools. Once the sea birds are healthy and fit enough to survive, they are released back into the wild.
This organisation was established in 1968 and have cared for over 83 000 seabirds. Mandated by the South African government, this project is responsible for the rehabilitation of sick, injured, oiled and abandoned Seabirds. Although they are known worldwide for our success in rehabilitating African Penguins during major oil spills on the Southern African coastline, they also care for and rehabilitate many other species of seabirds including Cape Gannets, variety of Gulls and Cormorants, Pelicans and even the odd Albatross.
With a staff component of 10 people of which only 4 People work hands-on with the birds on a daily basis, the need for volunteers speaks for itself.
Due to pollution and climate change penguin chicks are becoming more and more vulnerable, and without intervention they would face extinction. This project has stepped up to the plate and is doing all it can to nurture and rescue penguins and other sea birds in distress. Volunteers get involved with the day-to day care od seabirds: washing oil off seabirds, feeding them fish and cleaning their swimming pools. Once the sea birds are healthy and fit enough to survive, they are released back into the wild.
This organisation was established in 1968 and have cared for over 83 000 seabirds. Mandated by the South African government, this project is responsible for the rehabilitation of sick, injured, oiled and abandoned Seabirds. Although they are known worldwide for our success in rehabilitating African Penguins during major oil spills on the Southern African coastline, they also care for and rehabilitate many other species of seabirds including Cape Gannets, variety of Gulls and Cormorants, Pelicans and even the odd Albatross.
With a staff component of 10 people of which only 4 People work hands-on with the birds on a daily basis, the need for volunteers speaks for itself.
Your role:
Volunteers will be taught how to catch, handle, feed, tube and administer medication to a variety of Seabirds, assist in the Intensive Care Unit as well as clean & scrub bird pens on a daily basis.
Volunteers must be prepared to work a 5 day week including weekendss. Volunteers work according to shift schedule arranged by the volunteer co-ordinator once they start.
Volunteers must be prepared to work a 5 day week including weekendss. Volunteers work according to shift schedule arranged by the volunteer co-ordinator once they start.
Is the work dangerous?
Yes
Is there a potential risk?
(Low) Risk of getting lockjaw through Penguin bites. Must take care to dry feet/hands after scrubbing down pools and other bird enclosures.
*Generally, HIV/AIDS is extremely prevalent in the South Africa so it is your personal responsibility to take care with regards to health and safety, as well as sexual relationships.
*Generally, HIV/AIDS is extremely prevalent in the South Africa so it is your personal responsibility to take care with regards to health and safety, as well as sexual relationships.
Dates:
Arrival Every Thursday for FREE 3 day Cape Town Orientation
Project start date every Tuesday
Project start date every Tuesday
Duration:
Min 2 weeks
Additional per week:
5317.50
Highlights:
- Hands-on work with seabirds
- Learning about conservation
- Actively partaking in the conservation of endangered seabirds
- Being witness to penguins and other seabirds recovery process
- There might be an opportunity to go on a release trip to Robben Island, off Cape Town (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) -Robben Island is home to
one of the largest African Penguin colonies in the world
- Learning about conservation
- Actively partaking in the conservation of endangered seabirds
- Being witness to penguins and other seabirds recovery process
- There might be an opportunity to go on a release trip to Robben Island, off Cape Town (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) -Robben Island is home to
one of the largest African Penguin colonies in the world
Minimum age:
18
Police clearance:
No
Special skills required:
Biology and Zoology background is an advantage, but not necessary.
Love of marine, and care for conservation. Need to be hard working, okay with being in wet conditions a lot, unafraid of being pecked, and not squeamish about chopping up fish to feed the birds.
Love of marine, and care for conservation. Need to be hard working, okay with being in wet conditions a lot, unafraid of being pecked, and not squeamish about chopping up fish to feed the birds.
Language requirement:
Intermediate - you need to be able to understand enough English to follow instructions from the Volunteer Co-ordinator and other staff, as they guide you in how to handle the seabirds.
What's included:
- Thursday arrival and Sunday departure Transfers
- CAPE TOWN ORIENTATION: 3 nights accommodation, orientation that covers everything the volunteers need to know about staying in South Africa (from
social skills to transport and safety), two meals per day, bus trip into town, lunch (on the Friday), walking tour of the city, a train ride back to there
accommodation and day trip (on the Saturday).
- All paperwork, placement and liaising with Volunteer Program
- Appointed Supervisor for duration of program
- Accommodation
- Two meals a day self catering R 200 per day for shopping
- Donation per month to the Volunteer Project, to assist in their funding.
- A South African sim card that works on a pay-as-you-go top up system
- Monthly socials for volunteers to get together and meet other volunteers (cost depends on social)
- Certificate & Report on Volunteer`s Program should this be required for studies or other purposes
- FREE 2 Hour Surf Lesson
- CAPE TOWN ORIENTATION: 3 nights accommodation, orientation that covers everything the volunteers need to know about staying in South Africa (from
social skills to transport and safety), two meals per day, bus trip into town, lunch (on the Friday), walking tour of the city, a train ride back to there
accommodation and day trip (on the Saturday).
- All paperwork, placement and liaising with Volunteer Program
- Appointed Supervisor for duration of program
- Accommodation
- Two meals a day self catering R 200 per day for shopping
- Donation per month to the Volunteer Project, to assist in their funding.
- A South African sim card that works on a pay-as-you-go top up system
- Monthly socials for volunteers to get together and meet other volunteers (cost depends on social)
- Certificate & Report on Volunteer`s Program should this be required for studies or other purposes
- FREE 2 Hour Surf Lesson
What's excluded:
- The cost of a visa in the case of your volunteer stay being longer than 90 days
- Medical Insurance which must include work, emergency evacuation. Please make sure you understand how your medical insurance works in South Africa
as we will be unable to pay for any doctors accounts or the like in lieu of being refunded by the medical scheme
- Weekend excursions
- Local Transport for social activities
- Lunches (not provided by host family)
- Use of Phone: Landline or Mobile costs
- Towels and Toiletries
- Accommodation if you arrive before start date or after project end
- Transport to accommodation if you arrive before start date or leave after project end
- Medical Insurance which must include work, emergency evacuation. Please make sure you understand how your medical insurance works in South Africa
as we will be unable to pay for any doctors accounts or the like in lieu of being refunded by the medical scheme
- Weekend excursions
- Local Transport for social activities
- Lunches (not provided by host family)
- Use of Phone: Landline or Mobile costs
- Towels and Toiletries
- Accommodation if you arrive before start date or after project end
- Transport to accommodation if you arrive before start date or leave after project end
Closest town:
Cape Town
Surrounding area:
Transport:
Backpackers:
- Hire own car, or 7 minute walk from Backpackers to project.
- Female volunteers must walk in groups of 2 more, or with a male volunteer
Host Family: To volunteer`s account
- Pay R200 +- per week for public transfers or 15 /20 minute walk to project
- Hire own car, or 7 minute walk from Backpackers to project.
- Female volunteers must walk in groups of 2 more, or with a male volunteer
Host Family: To volunteer`s account
- Pay R200 +- per week for public transfers or 15 /20 minute walk to project
- Backpacker Accommodation, on the edge of a residential area, close to the west coast, situated near a bird sanctuary.
- Communal kitchen and lounge
- Internet available at Backpackers
OR
- Host Family: Own room or shared with another volunteer (same sex)
- Close to all amenities, 15 - 20 minute walk to the bird sanctuary
- Communal kitchen and lounge
- Internet available at Backpackers
OR
- Host Family: Own room or shared with another volunteer (same sex)
- Close to all amenities, 15 - 20 minute walk to the bird sanctuary
Meals:
Your Breakfast & Dinner is self catering and you receive a 200 per day to buy and cook yourself at Elements House.
Lunches are for the volunteers own account and should be taken and eaten at the volunteer project.
Lunches are for the volunteers own account and should be taken and eaten at the volunteer project.
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