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 Volunteer in South Africa’s first captive elephant research unit situated in an indigenous  par k be tween Knysna and Plettenberg Bay on the picturesque Garden Route. You have the opportunity to add to the sparse research on captive elephants globally with respect to their welfare and husbandry by volunteering in areas such as research collection and collation, marketing, functions, maintenance, training, guiding and education. The field work involves long hours and is not for the faint-hearted. However, the rewards are many – especially when the elephants begin to trust you and you become one of the herd!
Elephant care at the Park is of the highest in the country since their opening in 1994 as an elephant orphanage, placing elephants living in poor welfare conditions in an improved environment. The facilities are world class and the matriarchal herd only interacts with guests on their own terms. Our local partners have over 100 hectares of natural fynbos and afromontane forest as well as reclaimed farmland in which their 12 African elephants – six males and females – roam freely. The Park has developed a system referred to as “free-range controlled environment”. In which the matriarchal herd is free to range across the Park as they please. If they wish to take in food from the project they know where to gather at fixed points, otherwise they are free to do what elephants do …
The primary aim of the project is to assist Dr. Debbie Young to collect information on all the elephants in the Park which includes the recording of biological, anatomical, veterinary, physiological, behavioural and dietary data. There is also a wide range on non-research activities that volunteers get involved with.
Volunteers are directly involved in research and aid in providing information that relates directly to the welfare and management of captive elephants throughout South Africa. Future projects on communication (chemical and vocal), pregnancy, birth and calf developments are planned offering volunteers other rich experiences.
 
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PROJECT OUTLINE
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Project
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Elephant Volunteer Experience
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Location
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Between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay
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Province
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Western Cape Province, South Africa
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Closest city
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Knysna or Plettenberg Bay
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Closest airport
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George Airport
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Malaria-free area
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Yes
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Vaccinations
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TB, Hepatitis A and B, Polio and Tetanus recommended. Contact your local travel clinic for advice.
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Duration
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Minimum: 2 weeks, we recommended min of 4 weeks
Maximum: 12 weeks
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Combination
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This project can be combined with any other project
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Requirements
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Minimum age 18 years old, maximum age decided depending on participant’s health.
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Skills Needed
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- Flexibility, adaptability
- Scientific research / data capturing and recording skills
- Computer literacy
- Environmental monitoring / data capturing and recording skills
- Practical hands-on ability
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Dates
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Start dates – any day of month (preferably on a Monday).
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Hours
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- 5 day week – Monday to Friday
- May be asked to help out on weekends if necessary
- 06:30- 17:30 (hours may change)
- Weekends are at leisure
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Costs*
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International Passport holders only*
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Weeks
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Sharing
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2
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From R4, 875
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3
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From R7, 350
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4
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From R9, 850
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5
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From R12, 350
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6
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From R14, 500
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8
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From R18, 850
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SA Residents only*
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Weeks
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Sharing
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2
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From R3, 750
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3
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From R5, 450
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4
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From R7, 050
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Inclusions
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- Shared accommodation
- Self catering facilities
- Project contribution
- Collection and drop-off from George Airport or from Bus terminal in Plettenberg Bay
- Orientation programme and project specific training
- Uniform of 2 t-shirts
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Exclusions
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- Flights
- Visa costs
- Travel & Medical Insurance (must cover volunteer work)
- In-country transport
- Costs and items of a personal nature
- Meals
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Accommodation
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Communal Bunkhouse. Rooms are small but comfortable. Two rooms en-suite. Separate ablutions, toilet and showers facilities. Linen is provided (may bring own sleeping bag). Large and fully equipped kitchen with fridge, stove and microwave oven. Outside wooden deck with braai area. Telephone, fax and internet available during office hours.
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Daily Transport on project
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Not applicable
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Meals
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Self catering. Weekly shopping trips to nearby towns arranged.
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Host Resources
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Orientation provided
Training provided
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Possible tasks
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Research tasks
- Monitoring of behaviour – following and observing elephants in the field, recording behaviours such as grazing, drinking, playing, dusting and walking.
- Recording social interactions between elephants – how they relate to, and communicate with, each other using their trunks and bodies
- Night-time observations of elephant behaviour – what is a good night’s sleep for an elephant?
- Observing and recording interactions between elephants and tourists
- Botanical surveys of the park – relating plant diversity to grazing patterns and elephant distribution
- Studies of feeding behaviour and plants eaten by the elephants
- Collection of dung, urine and other samples for physiological analysis
- Recording and assessing elephant response to training and new behaviours
- Data input and analysis
Husbandry / other tasks
- Helping the elephant guides and handlers in the field during daily tours
- Assisting with veterinary care, when necessary
- Environmental education
- General maintenance - mucking out of elephant pens,
- General cleaning, painting, etc.
- Marketing and advertising, helping with functions
- Preparing food for the elephants
- Preparing milk bottles and feeding our two baby elephants where necessary
- Dung project - elephant dung makes excellent compost the
- Park has a project where the dung is collected, packaged
- and sold as compost. The money raised is donated to a
- nearby primary school.
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Recommended Tours
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Please consult us further
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* Prices subject to change without prior notice
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