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GYC1838 - Addo Elephant National Park Country: South Africa Cost: £2399.00 Please note: Insurance is not included Cost Includes: The price includes flight, accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include insurance, kit or visas      Duration: 4 Weeks Company Rep Nearby: All 0845 344 7511 or

 

	This placement would suit... Anyone with a passion for conservation especially elephants. Addo Elephant National Park is one of 22 national parks spread throughout the country, managed by South African National Parks (SANParks). Addo received the SANParks Kudu Award for Best Park due to excellent performance in the three core business areas of SANParks: tourism, conservation and people & conservation. SANParks as the country’s premier conservation organisation, has been mandated by the South African government to expand South Africa’s protected areas from the present 6% to 8% of the country’s surface area and up to 20% from 2% of the coastline by 2010. Addo’s expansion process aims to see the park cover 236 000 hectares of land by 2010, with an associated 120 000-hectare Marine Protected Area. Conservation at Addo Elephant National Park is focused on conserving the unique fauna, flora and ecological process that characterise the Eastern Cape. Natural processes are restored and conserved. Part of the commitment of the park is to reintroduce only naturally-occurring fauna and flora, drawing on historical distribution patterns of wildlife to create an authentic representation of biodiversity. Expansion of the park is ongoing, creating an exciting backdrop to conservation management. Wildlife introductions and translocations occur throughout certain months of the year, employing some of the latest technology and research methods. As a conservation volunteer at Addo Elephant National Park you will have the chance to assist with many ongoing short and long term projects. As your placement will cover only a relatively short time there is no guarantee that you will be involved in all projects during your placement. In a large and expanding national park, conservation priorities may change at short notice or in response to emergencies. It is vital that you are flexible in your response to these priorities, and be able to work on your own initiative in order to gain the most out of your experience. For those who have the drive, interest, and are self motivated, much can be learned at Addo. Projects may include: - Wildlife Monitoring - General Park Maintenance - Community Liaison (optional) - Wildlife monitoring - Wildlife capture & care (seasonal) - Nocturnal wildlife - Exposure to conservation management in a national park - Horse trails - Walking trail maintenance - Law enforcement (tourist patrols) As part of your placement there may be the opportunity to observe and assist various researchers active in the park. - Predator Research - Elephant Research - Red Bishop Research All of the projects that you assist with whilst on your placement all help towards the key objectives and visions of Addo Elephant National park. Because your time spent on the reserve is relatively short in comparison to the length of the parks ongoing projects you will not necessarily assist with all the projects. 0845 344 7511 Worldwide Experience offers volunteers a unique conservation opportunity to work on some of Southern Africa's premier private game reserves or leading marine ocean research projects. A conservation placement is the ultimate life changing experience gives you the chance to give something back and make a difference to the natural environment.