ZIMBABWE ANTELOPE PARK ZIMBABWE

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1 ANTELOPE PARK HANDS - ON LION REHABILITATION PROJECT The lion breeding program is enormously important. The world cannot afford to lose the African Lion. It is a universal symbol of courage, beauty, and strength. My experience [in Antelope Park] has raised my consciousness... - Paula Aston, USA!!!

2 Loca%on: Antelope Park Game Reserve just 10 km from Gweru town center in the heart of the Zimbabwe Midlands! Age: Minimum 17 years Experience: Only a passion for wildlife and conservadon Dura%on: 2 4 weeks Dates: Every Monday this project runs all year round Hands- on Lion Conserva/on Project As a volunteer on this project you will get involved in the vital research of lion behavior and enjoy hands- on work with lions in the world s only significant program for their release into the wild. Volunteers will assist our staff with all aspects that go into caring for the animals in their charge. In addidon, volunteers will be involved with a variety of fundamental conservadon tasks in Antelope Park NaDonal Park as well as presendng conservadon educadon at a local primary school. Project Highlights: Enjoy hands- on work and extremely close encounters with young African lions Make toys from natural materials for the young lion cubs Walk alongside lions in the African bush and as the young cubs learn to stalk their prey Get to know the African bush on horseback Experience local Zimbabwean culture Visit the local orphanage weekly Make friends for life with the other interna%onal volunteers on the project The African Lion & Environmental Research Trust In 1975 over 200,000 lions roamed the African condnent. Today, only 33,000 remain- represendng an 84% decline in just 40 years. To stave off the rapid decline of the African lion, we have insdtuted a rehabilitadon program that aims to release cubs of capdve bred lions into nadonal parks and reserves across Africa as self- sustaining wild animals. Since the project launch in 2004, we ve made amazing progress with the help of dedicated staff & passionate volunteers. Research

3 As part of the program we conduct a number of research acdvides to bewer understand lion behavior and ecology. Volunteers will assist our research technician in gathering and analyzing this crucial data. You will also be involved in some of the green projects that we have going on such as tree plandng, recycling projects and more. Lion Rehabilita/on Spend Dme working hands- on with the lions in the wild each day. Join our team of professional guides and other dedicated volunteers, gain a deeper understanding of African lions and other wildlife, and assist us in gathering vital informadon that will facilitate their eventual release back into the wild. Elephant Monitoring You will also have the opportunity to spend Dme with our orphaned African Elephants and their trainers. The elephants at Antelope Park were saved from certain death during a severe drought that ravaged Zimbabwe s South Eastern Lowveld in 1991 and The elephants play an important role in the Antelope Park s acdvides schedule. Free- Roaming Wildlife The few remaining areas of wildlife sanctuary in Zimbabwe are extremely precious and must costs be protected. Part of your project will involve assistance with the wildlife management scheme such as finding and removing snares within the game park and checking for holes or fence cu_ngs on the boundary fence. Much focus will be on management and maintenance of the Reserve, one of the most construcdve acdvides which you will pardcipate in during your stay at Antelope Park. Reserve Management will consist of many things which are all of huge benefit to the Park as a whole. Horse Ac/vi/es All horse acdvides have to be paid for, but the Stables will be offering a horse inducdon free of charge to each volunteer who would like to take part. The inducdon will consist of feeding and cleaning in the morning, a tack and riding lesson from a Zimbabwe polo crosse nadonal team player before lunch (Zimbabwe is rated second in the world at polo crosse!), and a bush ride aber lunch. All other horse acdvides like polo crosse or further rides will be at an addidonal cost.

4 A day in the life of an Antelope Park volunteer: Every day is different as animals rarely operate to our schedule. This is to be used as a guideline only. 6:00 am Feed the cubs in camp from 3 weeks to 5 months old (If there are cubs at the Dme) 6:30am 8:00am Meet the guide and tourists at the game reserve and join them for a lion walk, taking cubs from 6 to 18 months out into the bush, observe and take data notes as the cubs pracdce their hundng skills, and on occasion spend the morning training the elephants and going on a ride 9:30am - 12:30pm Partake in various dudes including cub walking, enclosure cleaning, boundary patrols, meat preparadon, snare sweeping, bush walks 1:00pm Lunch and break Dme 2:00pm ARernoon acdvity session during which you can have cub sits, provide water for the lions, make food for the elephants or horses, enclosure maintenance, behavior enrichment for the lions, or even have a local language lesson from one of our staff 4:00pm 5:30pm Grab a drink and your sunscreen for a late arernoon oudng where you will walk into the bush with the cubs, stride alongside the elephants en route to new grazing grounds, or visit the world s first stage 2 release site to view our release pride 6:15pm MeeDng with your volunteer coordinator about the following day s acdvides Where will you sleep? You will be staying at the Antelope Park Game Reserve Volunteer accommodadons are a mixture of comfortable twin or quad thatched roof rooms at the main reserve camp with clean shower and toilet facilides located next to the sleeping area Other facilides include swimming pool and internet access (access can be sporadic due to our remote locadon) Your room will be cleaned daily by the housekeeping staff and you will have weekly laundry services provided All your meals, unless you take a packed breakfast into the park on a lion walk, will be served at the main camp

5 Transporta/on Volunteers should fly into either Bulawayo or Harare InternaDonal Airport- where one of our project coordinators will meet you. Same- day transfers to the park can be arranged for Bulawayo arrivals, however, in some instances those flying into Harare may be required to stay overnight due to the long distance drive. Project Support Throughout your placement you will have the support and guidance of our experienced Project Managers. They are part of our support team, which will provide you with competent 24- hour field support and assistance. Project Cost: 2 weeks $2,210 3 weeks $3,115 4 weeks $4,020 What s included in the cost? Project Fee: This provides funding for items such as food for lions and elephants, management and maintenance of lion enclosures, and the development of the lion breeding and rehabilitadon program All transfers to and from and overnights in Bulawayo or Harare InternaDonal Airports upon your arrival and departure, if required Full room and board 3 meals a day at our Safari Camp dining area Weekly laundry and housekeeping service What s not included in the cost? Airfare to and from Zimbabwe Visa fees (if applicable) Personal travel insurance - must include cover for repatriadon All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gibs, clothing (work and other) and telephone calls made during your placement (charged out at cost) Any acdvides and excursions outside of your planned idnerary Sob drinks and other food items not included in your meals Popular Travel Excursions (not included in cost) Day trips are offered to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins as well as Granite Ridge in the beaudful Matobo NaDonal Park. These trips are also a great Dme for volunteers to interact and get to know each other bewer. Each will cost approximately $475 (this includes NaDonal Parks fees, transport, meals (excluding meals in Antelope Park), and accommodadon).