Penguin Rescue South Africa

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 1st Monday of each month

Description: Are you passionate about preventing the extinction of vulnerable sea birds, such as the African Penguin, unique to Southern Africa's shoreline? In this volunteer program you will work directly with sea birds that have been injured, dehydrated, damaged by oil spills, orphaned or are suffering from avian Malaria.

Penguins can swim 120km a day, and can be found anywhere along South Africa's busy shipping coastline between Namibia and Mozambique, and therefore have a great chance of encountering an oil spill.

Baby penguin chicks that have been abandoned by parent penguins that aren't able to find enough food for them are fostered and when strong enough, released back to the wild. There is also a breeding program for birds such as the Bank Cormorant, which is severely endangered due to increased destruction of its natural habitat.

Each bird is expensive to keep and the project relies completely on donations and volunteers. Some overseas volunteers have taken it upon themselves to raise awareness and funding in their hometowns, to adopt a baby penguin. It's a wonderful experience watching an injured bird recover, and taking rehabilitated birds out to be released is definitely a highlight of this volunteering experience.

Highlights: This is fantastic opportunity to gain real hands-on experience of conservation in action. You will learn about the life cycle and conservation of various seabirds, particularly penguins; how to catch, handle, feed, tube and administer medication and assist in the Intensive Care Unit.

There is always routine maintenance at this project, scrubbing down the bird enclosures and caring for the birds needing rehabilitation. And then there are sudden crises (anything over 500 oiled birds), when every available volunteer is needed to help with washing the hundreds of penguins that are brought to the project to be cleansed of oil.

Releases take place weekly and birds are released on a Whale-watching trip close to Robben Island. Robben Island is home to one of the largest African Penguin colonies in the world.

On your first day at the center you will receive your work schedule, typical daily hours are 8am - 5pm, with 2 days off per week. Any additional days off will need to be requested prior to your arrival.

Qualifications:
* Minimum age 18 yrs
* No specific animal care skills are required, as all training will be given on site. Volunteers must be prepared to work hard, especially if an oil spill crisis occurs, and be happy with working outdoors in a wet environment to a large extent. There is no level of fitness required, other than to be able to work a 4hour shift, and to be able to hold a bird securely.
* Volunteers should not be pregnant.
* The greatest attribute you can posses is flexibility and a willingness to get involved.
* International volunteers are welcome.

Cost in US$: From 1,250 GBP

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Twin Group - Work and Volunteer Abroad's Mission Statement: To provide the highest quality and the best value services to students, clients, suppliers, agents and partners in the worldwide delivery of language courses, travel, training and employment services.

Year Founded: 1993