Zululand Rhino Experience, KwaZulu-Natal

Ethical, specialised rhino orphanage

Selecting only a small number of students per three week slots, the Zululand Rhino and Endangered Species Experience will aim to inspire you with a combination of rhino rehabilitation, pangolin protection, and reserve management. The experience includes the following highlights…

• Inspiring rhino rehabilitation (& pangolin protection when possible)
• Game reserve and wildlife orphanage experience
• Credible wildlife vets (on request)
• Practical AHEMS sign-offs (when possible)
• 24-hour support crew
• Professional airport pick up and drop off
• Community activities and conservation topics

What you will be doing

Orphanage Management

Focus – Rhino Orphanage

Project – Zululand Rhino Orphanage

Summary – It is important to note that times vary depending on the age of the orphans at the facility and the time of the year. If an orphan is still on the milk you can have between 1 and 6 feeds during the day as well as the possibility of night feeds. In the summer months, your day will start as early as 5 a.m. whereas, in winter months, the starting time may be as late as 7 a.m.

Your morning typically starts with preparing and letting the rhinos out into their larger daytime boma, once a week during this time the rhinos will also be weighed. After letting the rhinos out, you will assist with the cleaning of their night-time bomas, this includes removing the dung and old hay, as well as cleaning their shelter and water troughs. After this, you will help weigh and prepare dry food (hay) for the rest of the day. Typically, this process takes about 2 hours. Milk feed times depend on the age of the current orphans, you will be provided with this schedule upon arrival.

During the middle of the day, you will get time to relax. You can also use this time to assist with other duties such as simple admin work/ data input, or cleaning the kitchen when you are on shift. This time after the morning duties is also when you might get the opportunity to get involved with community work, and wildlife conservation work in the greater area.

In the afternoons you will assist carers with bringing the rhinos in for the night and ensure they have enough dry food. Currently, we have 2 hippos in our care who will also be fed in the afternoons.

Typically your day will finish by the early evening.

Conservation & Reserve Management

Focus  – Reserve conservation

Projects – Zululand Conservation Trust

Summary – This includes their rare pangolin rehabilitation and release, K9 dog training, APU patrols, wildlife tracking, and reserve maintenance and administration.

Wildlife Vet Shadow (1-2 days per week / on special request and when possible)

Focus – Shadow an experienced wildlife vet

Summary – Observe practice clinical procedures and reserve procedures like observing darting/capture techniques when possible. We aim to include the following – Assist with rehabilitation, Human-wildlife conflict, anti-poaching, and conservation techniques, Husbandry skills – handling, Husbandry skills – observation. When possible – Husbandry skills – physical exam, Husbandry skills – reproduction, Husbandry skills – routine health care.

Community Development 

Focus  – Community Education

Projects – Zululand Conservation Trust

Summary – The Zululand Conservation Trust is committed to the conservation of endangered species, whilst maintaining and supporting partnerships with neighbouring communities. More details are here.

Topics

*We aim to include and allow you to sign off on the below topics. Please note that when working with wildlife, wildlife vets, and wildlife conservation there are times when ethics or circumstances do not always allow schedules to run according to plan.

Clinical EMS (when possible):

Observe/participate in clinical procedures
Rhino de-horning (numbers dependent)

Husbandry Skills

Wildlife handling
Wildlife observation
Wildlife and/or captive routine healthcare

Wildlife Conservation

Assist with wildlife rehabilitation
Human-wildlife conflict, anti-poaching, and conservation techniques

Conservation in the community

Wildlife education
Environmental conservation

Accommodation

We have a newly built tented camp that can accommodate 10 people. Each tent sleeps two people and has an ensuite bathroom (toilet and shower). There is a fully equipped communal kitchen area. You will have access to a fridge, freezer, stove/oven, microwave and washing machine. The room is equipped with bedding and bath towels.

*Please note: we will have 2-8 participants at a time and they will be required to share living arrangements.

We have a fully equipped communal kitchen for our staff and participants. Participants will need to cover their own food costs as we do not provide food but will provide support and arrangements. A trip to town once a week will allow participants to buy what they need.

Local Area

We are situated in a low-risk Malaria area – Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We advise participants to consult with their doctor for any vaccinations or about the use of malaria tablets before their travels to South Africa.

Register here | Prep here