Wildlife orphanage volunteering in South Africa

Planet

The orphanage itself is a rare refuge for animals who have been orphaned, mistreated or injured by humans in some way, including lions, cheetahs, many species of primates and more.

Many are harmed by farmers, who view them as pests and threats to their livestock and crops; while others are left alone as infants following the poaching of their parents; some are rendered disorientated and unable to survive in the wild following the destruction of their habitat through logging and deforestation.

These animals find a safe home and constant protection at the orphanage, and are nursed back to health, and wherever possible, safely released back into their natural habitats to live in the wild once more. In some cases, animals are so negatively impacted they would not cope with independent life in the wild, and so the orphanage offers permanent placements to such residents providing them with care and enrichment so they can live a happy life within the orphanage and sustain species populations.

Additionally, the project aims to reverse the cycle of negative human impact on the animals by teaching local children about the importance of their surrounding wildlife and habitats, and the vital role it plays within their ecosystem. These children are inspired at the orphanage through educative exercises and interaction with the resident animals about the importance of wildlife conservation. They leave the orphanage having learnt to view the native wildlife as an important part of their national heritage that is to be valued, respected and protected. The children are the future generations of caregivers for their surrounding environment, and providing them with this knowledge is one of the best hopes for creating a sustainable future for all.

People

This project is truly unique in its aims as it combines both wildlife conservation efforts and initiatives to improve the lives of local school children who are often underprivileged and let down by their current education.

It is one thing to care for the animals that are victims of human intervention, but the aim of this project is to alter this continuous cycle by inspiring the generation of local school children to invest value and respect in the animals they share their natural environment with.

The project helps these children to learn more effectively during their stay at the orphanage, providing them with the one-on-one attention that they are unable to receive at school. They are taught basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as other invaluable social issues including AIDs awareness.