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PENGUIN RESCUE

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PENGUIN RESCUE  ZAR16,194.00

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

 

Volunteer

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.

Every Monday

1 month prior to arrival but flexible

Available

South Africa

Western Cape

Cape Town

City (cosmopolitan centre with nearby airport and all major resources)

No

No

Availability

18

Animal

- 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

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.

6 Weeks

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.

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.

3737

None

- Self Catering 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

Backpackers:
- Volunteers are given a food budget to cover costs of meals
- Self- catering

OR

Host Family:
- Breakfast is self service and provided by the host family
- Lunch is to volunteers own account
- Supper is a cooked meal provided by the host family
- Weekends depend on the host family and volunteers activities

*Please note that the accommodation and food can be basic. If you have special dietary needs you should provide this for yourself.

Backpackers:
- Hire own car, or 15minute 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

- Airport Transfers
- YOU2AFRICA`S 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 - Breakfast and Dinner
- 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


- 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 You2Africa 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

Community Impact `Voluntour`

Yes: Working with wild animals is always a risk. African Penguins and some other seabird species are aggressive and caution should be taken when handling them. You might get pecked!

(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.