-
The game ranger, Konrad, loved watching the elephants, and after two weeks away he was having withdrawal symptoms. My first day back on the reserve was therefore spent looking for as many elephants as we could find! We found something like 50 of the 60 elephants on the reserve, which was pretty good for day one!
Selina Goldberg talks about her second time at Shamwari Game Reserve working with animals. From tracking elephants to feeding white lion cubs, she certainly experienced it all! -
Top Tips for Entering the Voice of Conservation Contest
Are you thinking about entering our Voice of Conservation competition? The deadline – 10th April – is fast approaching. If you want to kick off your gap year with an amazing few months speaking for the animals of Shamwari Game Reserve, or just want to spend your summer doing something unforgettable, now’s the time to apply.
We’ve got a couple of top tips to help your application stand out – as well as stories from our first Voice of Conservation, Karra.
(Karra assisting in the release of the cheetahs Trojan and Spartan)Top Tip #1
We’d love to hear what you’ve done online to spread the word about wildlife conservation. Do you talk in Facebook groups or forums? Do you blog, Tweet, start petitions? Do you create videos? Add links in your application to specific posts you’ve made or anything else that shows us you’re already talking to people about these issues. Wildlife conservation isn’t something you just pick up for a gap year or summer holiday; it’s something you’re passionate and active about, and our ideal Voice of Conservation will already be speaking up about these issues online (and offline).
Top Tip #2
Tell us about something you’ve always wanted to do to promote wildlife conservation issues – and then tell us how you plan to do it for the animals at Shamwari Game Reserve and worldwide. It doesn’t matter how far-fetched your ideas – the only limits are your imagination. This isn’t any old gap year experience. As the Voice of Conservation, you’ll be in a position to realise your dreams and truly make a difference. Show us that you’ve got the imagination for the job.
Karra’s Stories
Karra had such an amazing time as the Voice of Conservation, whether it was interviewing the anti-poaching unit at Shamwari, talking in forums about controversial anti-poaching measures or taking videos of adorable caracals. Check out some of her posts on our main blog for an idea of what she did. If you want to have the same life-changing experience as Karra during your summer break or at the beginning of your gap year, apply now! We’d love to hear from you!
You can find out some more information about the competition here, or apply directly at community@worldwideexperience.com – I can also answer any questions you have!
If it isn’t for you, pass on the message! One of your friends could be thanking you for their big chance.
And then tell us you’ve done so – everyone who spreads the word is entered into a great prize drawing.
-
-
Gorgeous photo of a family of elephants in Shamwari Game Reserve.
Taken by one of our gap year volunteers, Christine Palmer.
-
Photo by: Eric Kilby
If you’re a big cat fan like us, you need to be following fuckyeahbigcats - they post gorgeous photos each day, as well as links to news items and stories. Love it!
(via thebigcatblog)
Posted on March 29, 2011 via The Big Cat Blog with 462 notes
Source: Flickr / ekilby
-
So there I was, in the middle of the African bush, with wild animals all around me, and men with guns standing guard, and I got to touch, through a glove, so as not to contract worms, a wild sleeping lion, who would have no doubt killed us had she been awake!!!
-
Become the next Voice of Conservation at Shamwari!
We’re offering a lucky winner the chance to spend a 1 to 3 month (depending on your availability) all expenses paid stint living and working with animals at the Shamwari Game Reserve, this summer.
What do we want in return?
For you to become the voice of the animals. As the Voice of Conservation at Shamwari, you will spread the word about the conservation issues facing the animals you work with, from rhino poaching to big cat rehabilitation, as well as sharing all your amazing adventures. The possibilities are endless – it’s up to you to amaze us!
Do you have the passion and the drive?
To be considered for this position, we need to see that you’re as passionate about animal conservation as we at Worldwide Experience are. You’ll also need to prove to us that you’re an expert when it comes to social media, blogging, online networking, video creation and so much more. As the Voice of Conservation you’ll need to build and develop online communities, so these skills are vital.
How to apply:
If you think you’re perfect for the job, start off by sending us a brief introduction to yourself: who you are, what you’re passionate about. We want to hear your views about animal conservation. What issues do you wind up talking about for hours? What conservation news do you follow the closest? You’ll also need to convince us that you know social media. Are you already at the heart of online conversations? Send us blogs, videos or anything that shows how well connected you are online.
Find out more at www.worldwideexperience.com/voice-of-conservation
Or apply directly to community@worldwideexperience.com
-
A day away from the reserve, viewing Bushman rock paintings and eating braai in the bush.
Updates from the gap year volunteers at Shamwari Game Reserve. From working with big cats to cutting down invasive tree species, there's always something happening!
