GVI, Ethical Impact: Wildlife Conservation Volunteer in South Africa

I’ll start with just a brief history of myself I’m 31 years old, left school at 18, decided against going to university and since then worked within the retail sector as a floor manager.
I have no previous education in relation to wildlife or wildlife conservation but I have always had a keen interest, just never really knew where to begin.
The decision to quit my job and try something new was slightly daunting, but I can happily say that I made the right decision. My experience with GVI has given me the direction and inspiration I’ve always lacked to get more involved and hopefully have a career doing something I feel so passionate about.

The day to day life on base involves going out on drive each morning (5am) and afternoon (3pm) with the main focus of tracking the animals using telemetry and collecting data. This is where you will get up close with an array of animals including the big 5 (lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, rhino) so be sure to bring a camera you will definitely need it. Twenty minutes into my very first drive we encountered a mother cheetah and her four beautiful eight week old cubs about 50 meters away feeding on a freshly killed Impala.

The impact of the program on the ground was a privilege to be a part of, waking up at 4.30am for morning drive and not knowing what you might see is a great feeling to wake up to. Everything you do on a day to day basis is a learning experience, but its done in a such a way that you don’t realise its happening. No classroom or website could have taught me in a month what I learnt during my time on Karongwe and not just the surrounding wildlife, but conservation, culture and history.
The staff were all phenomenal and went above and beyond to make everyone feel at home and within two days it was. Facilities on base are basic, depending on the weather you could go without power for a couple of days and the elephants love to play with the water pump which meant we had no showers for 24 hours. I personally dont look back on these as negatives and just the reality of being where you are and becoming fully immersed in the experience.
Saturday night is braai (bbq) and an opportunity to enjoy a few drinks, sit around a huge fire and take in the nights sky, seeing the Milky Way spread across the sky is something you to experience yourself. Sunday is your day off with the opportunity to take a day trip out (Kruger national park) or simply relax on the veranda, nothing more surreal than reading a book and noticing two giraffes walk into your yard.

To anybody taking a gap year or looking for a career break or simply wanting to try something new I cannot recommend GVI enough, you will meet some incredible people and get to be apart of something truly worthwhile and rewarding.

Going out to South Afirca was a fantastic experince. The women and girls from the township who we worked with were so inspiring and I hope my time there had a positive impact on they're lives. I am also lucky that I went out there with such a fantastic group. Its hard work, but the end result of actually helping these women is so worth it. I did things I never thought I would be capable of and having left now, I can't wait to go back.

In September 2016 I took part in the short term internship programme in South Africa with GVI as part of my master’s placement course at Bournemouth University. I spent two months working closely with a team of dedicated conservationists within the South African bushveld and conducted valuable research on the wildlife dynamics in a reserve environment. The internship enabled me to develop an array of skills, including radio telemetry and tracking skills. Vital behavioural data at a species level was also conducted to achieve a better understanding of predator and herbivore species. There was also a strong focus on reserve management which is vital in ensuring the survival of species. I was exposed to broader global research working with industry professionals and gain an insight the vital ongoing conservation work within this region.

Since the internship I have been in regular contact with the internship leader, who has been co-supervising the development of a doctoral research project than I will be conducting from September 2017. The internship allowed me to focus on a subject that I wanted to pursue at a PhD level, which was only achievable through the skills I gained whilst being an intern. I was encouraged from day one by the internship leader Robbie Mann, who has supported my project ideas and shows commitment and drive for knowledge.

The doctoral project I propose to do along with the ongoing support from GVI and across departments at Bournemouth University considers a network of significant research themes. These include ecosystem level conservation, environmental education and sustainable development, which are important for high impact scientific output papers. I have been readily communicating at outreach events for families and general public as well as prestigious events, meeting with CEOs of wildlife conservation trusts and other various external organisations. I have also recently been nominated to receive the Freedom of the City of London award which will be presented later this year for my contribution to zoology and conservation.

Had I not had the support and encouragement that began with the two month internship and since continued, I would not have been able to reflect this when liaising with potential collaborators and even conveying research projects to esteemed professors within my university and other organisations. I am certain that the developments of upcoming research projects will have a great outreach through publications and engagement. This internship was an invaluable development for me, and I can’t convey enough how much the support is appreciated.

My time at GVI Karongwe was by far the most rewarding experience I could have asked for. When I first arrived I was terrified as this had been the furthest from home I had gone alone. By the end of my first hour on base I was laughing among strangers turned friends while we played volleyball. The people I was lucky enough to meet truly made my time there phenomenal. I now have friends from around the globe who share in my passion for conservation and other animal related sciences. The work we did while on Karongwe was engaging and exciting. I participated in the intern program in which we would set camera traps every week and receive lectures both on and off base about different conservation efforts in practice around us. The breadth of knowledge I left with was far greater than I could have ever wished for. The staff each had an infectious appetite for learning which made their teaching engaging and productive. Every day there were two drives on the reserve during which time we would take data on our sightings as well as the sightings called in by the surrounding lodges. The information we acquired was later transformed into maps showing the movement of species throughout the reserve and it also helped us to ensure the safety and well being of all of the animals. Having your work turned into a product you can see and appreciate made participating in the research rewarding. Even the drives on which we saw few mammals we were kept engaged as the staff encouraged us to become birders, tree-identifiers, and avid trackers. No time was wasted time with GVI. I was always learning and loving my opportunity to do so.

After having completed my time with GVI I am now in the process of applying to programs in which I can continue to satiate my appetite for knowledge surrounding conservation in the bush. The staff and program have left me with a new sense of excitement surrounding learning and working for a greater cause. I am forever thankful for how my time with GVI has so positively impacted my life.

I spent six months as a volunteer / intern at GVI South Africa Cape Town and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
I was exposed to a different lifestyle and culture in a new setting while on project, but also had the luxury of feeling 'at home' in our apartments. Throughout my time there, I learned so much about South Africa, it's history, life in the townships, and South African school and healthcare systems. I got to experience life as a childcare worker, teacher, sports and surfing coach, and so much more. I was able to interact with so many people from the local community and learn about what they value in their culture. The experience helped me broaden my perspectives as an educator and opened my eyes to the impact of poverty in educational settings. The children that we worked with are absolutely amazing (albeit crazy at times) and I've missed them every day since I left. Their way of life, their sense of humor, their appreciation for small things, and their excitement to interact with the volunteers - they all leave a lasting impression on your heart. They might drive you insane but be prepared for an overload of cuteness!

When I wasn't working on project, I was able to explore my surroundings - Gordon's Bay, Cape Town, and other areas within driving distance. I frequently used uber to get around because it was safe and affordable. There was always something to do on the weekends - beautiful beaches, scenic hikes, outdoor markets, shopping, cultural activities, and abundant nightlife. There were also so many opportunities for thrill-seekers like myself. Over the course of my six months, I was able to go shark-cage diving, go sand-boarding, walk with elephants, go on safari, explore a cave, and jump off of the highest commercial bungee jump in the world. It's safe to say that there was a never a dull moment in South Africa!
The living conditions and accommodations met or exceeded my expectations in most aspects. We had running water and hot showers. We had bunk beds and some personal storage space. The kitchen and living room spaces were communal and comfortable enough. No wifi, no TV (which I think are GOOD things) and no air conditioning (just a little sweaty at times in that South African heat). Any issues that I faced with cleanliness or hygiene were usually the result of some messy housemates. There was basic food items available to us, homemade dinner 4 nights out of the week, and the option to walk to the supermarket or restaurants (all of which were right down the road). We weren't living in luxury by any means, but I was overly grateful for the place I got to call home for six months (especially in comparison to the community in which we were working in - looking at it in that perspective always helped me stay grounded).
One of the best things about the program is that it hails volunteers and staff members from all over the globe. As an American, I didn't want to have a typical "study abroad" type experience with people who were all my age and from my similar background. GVI was amazing because I got to live and work with people who came from all different backgrounds. There were people younger than me, my age, and people much older than me. Everyone had their own story and had something interesting to contribute to our group. I learned a lot by interacting with all of these different types of people and I am so happy to say that I made some amazing life-long friends along the way.

I had the best summer volunteering in the Under 18s program in Cape town. I had initially chosen this program because I wanted the opportunity to go have an independent holiday abroad and volunteer. GVI gave me this and much more! During my 2 weeks there I got to see the impact every volunteer makes, whether you stay for 2 weeks or 6 months. Nothing beats the feeling of finishing a project, for me it was water tank stands, and seeing how happy the children and creator of the orphanage were when they now had clean rain water. I got to try new things, such as brick laying, mixing cement, canoeing, seeing whales and penguins. The garden route tour was incredible and you really get a chance to explore the country through an adventure week, authentic food and quiz nights. I think the most important thing about GVI is that even when you leave you are a part of a community. You meet people who went on your program months or years later and they can tell you how that child is doing or that project is doing, because it is continuous.
Remember to bring warm clothes, sunglasses a hot water bottle and a strong pair or walking boots as SA has 4 season in 1 day, but you are just 10 minuets from the beach with 4 scoops of ice-cream for 40 rand.
I makes you so happy for what you have got and so inspired to try and do more. You will always be apart of GVI and the experience will just make you want to go on more projects or just never leave. I am still involved as an ambassador and plan to go agin next summer.

I will never be a waste regardless of what project you get to do. Who wouldn't want to travel meaningfully, make a difference and have an unforgettable experience!

Came back from two weeks volunteering with GVI at the Childcare and Healthcare project in Cape Town, South Africa. I was originally only meant to stay for one week but was so impressed by the standard of good work being done of project and the excellent set-up that the GVI staff maintained there that I wasn't prepared to leave. As it was, leaving was very difficult being as invested as I was just in those two weeks in the wide range of teaching, childcare, and healthcare opportunities available. i'm deeply grateful to GVI for this opportunity and look forward to going back to this project in the future one way or another.

It was early April 2007 when I started the Global Vision International research expedition. Karongwe Private Game Reserve, situated in the Limpopo province in South Africa, is the home of a permanent team of researchers, which is supplemented on a regular basis with volunteers from all around the world and I was one of them. The research is focused on the interactions between the larger carnivores, so daily we would trek down the resident lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas and of course the leopards. During the first week we weren’t able to get a glimpse of any of the leopards, known to call Karongwe home. We were especially interested in a female leopard called Tilo and her two young cubs. One morning we were trekking Tilo but couldn’t go on when we hit a large drainage ditch (Karongwe is made up of several old farms). We could hear her calling her cubs and we could clearly hear that something was wrong for she sounded stressed. Later that day we were trekking her again through the dense bush when all of a sudden we heard the squeals of a warthog. So we were on the right course but would we be able to see her and her cubs this time? The grass was getting higher when I spotted movement in front of the vehicle and shouted to the driver/ guide to stop immediately. As the driver hit the brakes a leopard, we later determined was the elusive Tilo, broke cover and dashed away from the car, settling some forty metres away. In front of the car was what appeared to be the carcass of a freshly killed warthog. But appearances can be deceiving for the warthog got up, looked around and ran off. He ran off in the direction of the waiting Tilo, who tackled the warthog and made the kill. Afterwards she disappeared into the undergrowth. We decided to come back later. After spending some time with the resident lion pride on their freshly killed impala we went back to the warthog carcass. It took us awhile to relocate it because the carcass had been moved and when we finally found it, there was no sign of the leopard. After staring at the carcass for several minutes, at a distance of course, we saw some movement: a baby leopard walked over and around the carcass like he had killed it himself. We spotted only one cub but we couldn’t be sure. We feared that the other cub had died and that that was the reason Tilo was calling that morning.

Several weeks went by and we had occasional sightings of Tilo and her cub; our worst fears had come true, Tilo had only one cub. One morning we were trekking Tilo again and doing some serious off-roading when we spotted her in the yellow grass looking straight at us. We wanted to get a closer look and see if her cub was with her but the driver/ guide told us that there was a big rock between us and the leopard and that he couldn’t get around it. The rock didn’t look too big to us. But was it a rock? It looked odd. While we were writing down our observations Tilo kept looking in our direction and stayed out in the open, which was unusual for this shy animal. When Tilo picked something up in her mouth it became clear to us that we had misinterpreted the entire situation because what she had picked up was the head of an enormous 14 feet African rock python. What we had assumed was a rock was the body of the python filled with a fresh kill. We realised that we were witnessing something amazing. We edged a little bit closer to get a better look and noticed that the leopard cub was there with his mother, hiding in the grass. After Tilo made sure that the snake was dead by biting it repeatedly on the neck, her cub started playing with the dead python’s head. What an awesome sight. When we returned that night to see what the leopards had done with the dead snake we observed something quite unusual: the python was still in one piece, except for a large tear in its abdomen. The leopard had removed and eaten what was inside the python. So the question on our minds was: has Tilo killed the python to protect her one remaining cub or had she killed it for the easy meal inside its stomach? Whatever the reason it was an unique sighting we will never forget.