VetClick
Menu Menu
Login

VetClick

/ News
Friday, 29th March 2024 | 4,186 veterinary jobs online | 103 people actively seeking work | 5,479 practices registered

Veterinary Industry News

Send us your news

Volunteer At Samara Wildlife Programme For An Unforgettable African Experience

9 years ago
1717 views

Posted
20th October, 2014 21h57


Photo of Samara volunteers cheering “Samara is a biologist’s playground!” - Chalis, USA “Being able to walk in the reserve was a true privilege, and added a whole new dimension to anything we had experienced before…..there’s no doubt that we’ll return again in the near future. Africa is definitely in our blood.” - Matthew, Ireland Samara Private Game Reserve is situated on the vast mystical plains of the Great Karoo in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The reserve boasts spectacular topography; from vast open plains, to densely vegetated valleys and rocky escarpments. Restoration of the natural wildlife that roamed the Great Karoo prior to European settlement, 200 years ago, is the mission that Samara Private Game Reserve strives towards. The Samara Wildlife Volunteer Programme gives the opportunity to experience the incredible and unique landscape of the Great Karoo and contribute to the conservation of this land and the numerous plants and animals it supports. The programme is run by South African ecologists and wildlife enthusiasts Richard Wilks (BSc Honours Degree in Conservation Ecology) and Carmen Warmenhove (B Tech degree in Game Ranch Management). They ensure that participants experience life on a game reserve in all its glory. Richard says: “As a volunteer you will work on ongoing wildlife research and management projects, as well as assist with community development and environmental education programmes. Our volunteer programme gives you the great combination of experiencing, learning and contributing to conservation. You will get the opportunity of close personal encounters with some of Africa’s most majestic animals and discover what managing a game reserve is all about.” Carmen adds: “Volunteers learn to use radio telemetry equipment to track animals for research purposes. Thye are encouraged to spend time in the field with a Master Tracker, one of only two in South Africa, who teaches at the Tracker Academy located in the reserve. He demonstrates the ancient art of tracking animals using animal spoor and droppings.” The Samara Wildlife Volunteer Programme has been designed with a strong focus on hands-on involvement in the field. Volunteers leave their mark on Samara by getting their hands dirty, while they enjoy the amazing experience in the African bush. Volunteers assist in clearing invasive plant species as part of Samara’s Alien Plant Management Plan. They will learn soil erosion control techniques, such as building gabions and silt traps, brush packing and planting trees, as part of Samara’s land rehabilitation project. They will also have the opportunity to assist in scientific data collection which contributes to recognised scientific research. All fieldwork and projects will be preceded by a background talk ensuring everyone has a better understanding of the significance and importance of the work you are doing. Volunteers are taught to be competent in all required field techniques, meaning the data collected can be used by management and affiliated organisations. The participants are guaranteed to leave Samara with a deeper understanding of the bush, as well as useful skills and techniques used in current scientific research, conservation and wildlife management. The organisers also hope that volunteers will leave energised by the unforgettable experience of living so close to the nature. During their stay the participants will be living in Samara’s volunteer camp. The rooms are comfortable and there is a communal kitchen, dining area and lounge. Volunteers and coordinators take turns cooking and all eat together. It is a homely atmosphere giving everyone a chance to relax and socialise after a day in the field. The organisers make the most of the evenings and much time is spent preparing delicious meals on a South African-style barbeque or sitting around the camp fire sharing stories. Apart from field work there are many exciting recreational activities. Volunteers get the opportunity to hike the mountains throughout the reserve. They can explore the caves that have Khoisan paintings that date back thousands of years, go on game drives and see the wonderful selection of animals that Samara has to offer and learn how to identify plants, animals and birds. This Samara Wildlife Volunteer Programme is overseen by Professor Graham Kerley, Professor of Zoology, and Director of Centre for African Conservation Ecology at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. Professor Kerley supervised three MSc and two PhD students working on the property and conducted research which the volunteers contribute towards on specific projects. All volunteers receive certificates signed by Professor Kerley upon leaving Samara. Professor Kerley says: “Samara is unusual among the private reserves in the Eastern Cape, as the owners specifically sought advice as to the ecological and conservation value of the property and its potential prior to acquiring the farms that make up the property now. I know of no other private reserve that followed this critical strategic step. A direct consequence of this strategic approach is that Samara is unique in terms of its combination of landscapes, ecological features and contribution to conservation. From a global perspective, it is noteworthy that Samara falls within one of the world’s 34 Global Biodiversity Hotspots. Hence Samara’s conservation contribution is of global significance.” Every year Samara Wildlife Volunteer Programme welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds. Many MA and PhD students from all over the world are completing the programme as part of their research projects. Individuals involved or working in organisations focusing on conservation of numerous ecosystems, as well as ordinary people of various backgrounds, passionate about preserving endangered species, wildlife conservation and Africa all benefit from spending their time at Samara. Samara Wildlife Volunteer Programme is accredited by ASDAN, a UK-based pioneering curriculum development organisation and awarding body, offering programmes and qualifications that explicitly grow skills for learning, skills for employment and skills for life. The Samara programme is also promoted by the The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment. For more information on Samara volunteer programme, please contact Kasia at Fuel on +44 (0)207 498 8211 or [email protected]

More from


You might be interested in...