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GYC2792 - Penguin rescue Country: South Africa Cost: £950.00 Please note: You will need to provide your own lunch. Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, kit or visas     Duration: 2 months Company Rep Nearby: Various 0845 344 7569 or

 

	This placement would suit... Volunteers who are prepared to work hard, especially if an oil spill crisis occurs, outdoors in a wet environment. No specific animal care skills are required, as all training will be given on site. Are you passionate about preventing the extinction of vulnerable sea birds, such as the African penguin, unique to Southern Africa's shoreline? In this programme you will work directly with sea birds that have been injured, dehydrated, damaged by oil spills, orphaned or are suffering from avian malaria. Penguins can swim 120km a day, and can be found anywhere along South Africa's busy shipping coastline between Namibia and Mozambique, and therefore have a great chance of encountering an oil spill. Baby penguin chicks that have been abandoned by parent penguins that aren't able to find enough food for them are fostered and when strong enough, released back to the wild. There is also a breeding programme for birds such as the bank cormorant, which is severely endangered due to increased destruction of its natural habitat. Each bird is expensive to keep and the project relies completely on donations and volunteers. Some overseas volunteers have taken it upon themselves to raise awareness and funding in their hometowns, to adopt a baby penguin. It's a wonderful experience watching an injured bird recover, and taking rehabilitated birds out to be released is definitely a highlight of this volunteering experience. Location The project is based at Table View, which is approximately 20km from the center of Cape Town. This is an ideal base from which to visit the city and the surrounding areas. Project life This is fantastic opportunity to gain real hands-on experience of conservation in action. You will learn about the life cycle and conservation of various seabirds, particularly penguins; how to catch, handle, feed, tube and administer medication and assist in the Intensive Care Unit. There is always routine maintenance at this project, scrubbing down the bird enclosures and caring for the birds needing rehabilitation. And then there are sudden crises (anything over 500 oiled birds), when every available volunteer is needed to help with washing the hundreds of penguins that are brought to the project to be cleansed of oil. Releases take place weekly and birds are released on a whale-watching trip close to Robben Island. Robben Island is home to one of the largest African penguin colonies in the world. On your first day at the center you will receive your work schedule; typical daily hours are 8am to 5pm, with two days off per week. Any additional days off will need to be requested prior to your arrival. Accommodation and food You will stay with a host family. Breakfast and evening meals are provided, but you will need to provide your own lunch. All efforts are made to place you with a host family that is within walking distance from the centre, however, if this is not possible then you will need to take advantage of public transport or hire a vehicle. Dates and duration You can join the programme on the first Monday of each month. Minimum duration is eight weeks to a maximum of one year. Flights and transportation Flights are not included. You will be collected from Cape Town Airport and taken to your accommodation ready for your orientation. Safety and insurance All of Twin’s volunteer placements are in partnership with recognised charities, non governmental organisations, government ministries or registered agents, giving you the confidence to work with reputable organisations. Comprehensive insurance is available for each of the volunteer placements. 0845 344 7569 Twin Work & Volunteer Abroad: The world is getting smaller! So, why not travel and gain work experience abroad? Are you taking a gap year? Are you a student and want to spend your summer doing something different? Are you a recent graduate and want to have a different approach to the job market? Whether you want to spend some time fruit picking in Queensland, volunteering with kids in South Africa, having an Internship in Rio de Janeiro or working on a farm in Norway we have a vast range of programmes for you!