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All around the world, more and more animals are now facing the threat of extinction due to the expanding human population. Some examples of animals that are facing this threat are the “Big 5 “game like the elephant and rhino, found in Africa. As such, these animals are in serious need of wildlife conservation efforts to save them from extinction. Nowadays, wildlife conservation advocates have come up the idea of gap year wildlife conservation programs for people who wish to volunteer while they are taking a break from studies or work. With a gap year wildlife conservation program, volunteers can contribute their free time towards the preservation of these endangered animals.

The Rhino in the Wild

Facing threats from poachers, the rhinos that once roamed the plains of the veld can hardly be found at all except in wildlife game reserves in the National Parks. As a gap year volunteer, you will be involved in conservation efforts to preserve the existing rhino population, and at the same time become involved in programs designed to help increase population. Gap year volunteers also work closely with the wildlife conservationists to help eliminate poaching, by educating the rural communities on the negative effects of poaching the rhinos for their horns.

The Ivory trade and the Elephant

There is no doubt that the illicit global trade in ivory has caused the sharp decline of the elephant population in Africa. The elephants were once the giants of the plains, in number as well as stature, but today their population is rapidly declining. Today, the elephant population is diminished and fragmented. They are still being poached for their ivory, and wildlife authorities severely lacking in resources are unable to implement an effective wildlife conservation program. As such, gap year volunteers are in high demand to assist the authorities in elephant conservation projects.

The Gap Year Volunteer Duties

As a gap year volunteer, one of your duties will be to search for poachers on foot or on horseback. You will also be involved in monitoring the wildlife, mapping their locations, and photographing them. With regard to vegetation, you will be planting trees as well indentifying the different species in the wild. In addition, you will be involved in caring and feeding the injured or orphaned animals. Another important aspect of a gap year volunteer work is the community outreach program. Part of the wildlife conservation program involves educating the local populace about the need to preserve the endangered wildlife as part of their children’s heritage.

Required Skill Set of the Gap Year Volunteer

As a gap year volunteer working with animals in the wild you will be expected to be hard working and have passion for animals. To ensure a fulfilling experience as volunteer, you need to be committed towards the objectives of the wildlife conservation programs. You must have patience and initiative as well. Although the workload may be heavy at times, the opportunity to live among the wild animals and participate in the management of a game reserve is truly a unique experience.

Mark Bottell is the General Manager for Worldwide Experience, an online tour operator offering extended breaks on gap year and other wildlife conservation holidays for adults.

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