International Primate Rescue - Volunteering

  South Africa

Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All year round

Description: Hands on care of sanctuary primates. Duties include:

- Assisting with rescue cases
- Introducing incoming primates to sanctuary monkeys
- Monitoring and record keeping
- Enrichment - providing "entertainment for the monkeys"
- Feeding, cleaning, food preparation
- Hand rearing, when necessary
- Accompanying monkeys to the vet
- Medications and supplements of sick or elderly primates
- Enclosure building and maintenance

Volunteers may book their dates by email rather than having to fill in an online application form.

Highlights: Anybody is welcome, whether you are a student interested in animal behaviour, on gap year or simply needing a career break. You can stay for as little as a week or as long as a year. On your time off, you may visit the Kruger Park, or other interesting sites, such as the Lion Park - or go shopping at the nearby Savannah Centre. Sometimes, you and the other volunteers will simply relax around a fire at night. Most volunteers really enjoy the up close and personal work with the monkeys and the company of other volunteer workers. A couple of volunteer workers planned to stay a few weeks and ended up staying a few months.

Qualifications: No qualifications necessary. On site training will be given.

Cost in US$: $200/volunteer/week

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Gap year or University student, or on a career-break adult

Age Range: Above 18 years of age

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 5

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

International Primate Rescue - South Africa's Mission Statement: International Primate Rescue (IPR) rescues any species of homeless or abused monkey from anywhere in the world and when necessary transports them to the sanctuary in South Africa. The primates, many of which arrive with behavioural problems are socialized with companions of their own species and exposed to a natural habitat to encourage natural behaviour patterns. The sanctuary currently houses over 70 monkeys, comprising of Common Marmosets, Black eared Marmosets, Cotton Top Tamarins, Common Squirrel Monkeys, Bolivian Squirrel Monkeys and Mona monkeys. International Primate Rescue intends to provide accommodation for Apes in the future.

Year Founded: 1996