In a rural area surrounded by indigenous fauna and flora you will find this incredible sanctuary which has become the forever home for many rescued big cats and predators providing a safe and stimulating environment and sanctuary for the rest of their natural lives. As the years have gone by the project has grown from strength to strength with the help of volunteers with more big cats finding sanctuary and enclosures being upgraded and improved to incorporate platforms, water features and even an amazing enrichment enclosure which ensures they have the best possible life in captivity as these are all non-releasable animals that have been saved from some very negative backgrounds.
Volunteer duties may vary and may depend on certain factors such as what’s required at the time, the weather, veterinary treatment or preparing for a new animal arriving. Thursdays are excursion days in the neighbouring area and weekends are for free time so a perfect time to see more of the local area or even take an overnight trip to the coast...or Cape Town.
Volunteer duties
Caring for the amazing big cats
Caring for the animals means anything from spending time with Bella, the tiger, as she loves to go for walks, or Max the caracal who also loves to walk (of course on different sides of the fence), sit outside the animals’ enclosures just being in and feeling their presence, and they feel yours, giving them daily reassurance and distraction from being captive. We often recommend to bring a book or diary or drawing paper – whatever is suitable for the different people. You may also be involved in preparing special medication for the animals that need it. The cats’ condition is also checked daily, which you will be responsible for, and report if anything seems out of the ordinary.
Enrichment program
You, as a volunteer, personally make enrichment for the animals, and it is all about thinking outside the box! You can make big animals out of cardboard boxes, paper mache balls or structures, make structures out of tyres, make sensory enrichment to stimulate the cats’ smells, with anything from herbs, to fruits, peanut butter, honey, etc. You can also make jumping obstacles, rolling toys and create structures where the animals must use their strength to get through/over. The sky is the limit, although everything is monitored and rules do apply with regards to safety for the animals.
Assist with feeding
The feeding runs off a flexible schedule, and not on routine, as this is not in the best interest for the animals as in the wild, there is no routine with the eating habits of big cats. The project believes in making feeds random with both type of meat, size of portions, and times of feeding. Some days they will get a very large portion and not get food for three days, and some days a small portion early morning, small portion next day, medium portion two days later in the evening, etc. They feed as freshly as possible, so when they know a horse/cow/antelope is coming in, they try and feed that day to give them the most nutritious food possible.
Cleaning and maintaining enclosures
Every enclosure is cleaned once to three times a week, depending on the animal and size of enclosure. Water bowls and feeding camps also need daily check-ups and the fences are checked every morning and every afternoon to make sure the electricity is working, and that all the fences are in order. When cleaning the enclosures there are always things needing to be repaired, whether fixing or upgrading the wild cat’s houses, trees, taking out weeds or alien invasive plants, planting new bushes, fixing fences, etc.
General farm work
At the sanctuary there are many things that need to be kept maintained, so you will help daily with anything from clearing of alien vegetation, fixing of fences, building of structures, planting, making flowerbeds, fixing the tourist area, clearing of fire breaks, fixing roads, painting, making presentations and so forth. Everyone has different wishes and specialities, and we try our best to make it the most fun for you, and also let you put your “signature” on something while you are there!
Educating visitors
Assist staff with educational visits for the public. You’ll also join some tours so that you get a proper understanding of the education they provide on big cats, and understand more about what the sanctuary is about. You may be asked to assist with day events and stalls at markets to raise awareness with the public. During the year fundraisers also take place which you may get involved in. These are normally to raise funds for a specific cause like a veterinary clinic onsite, eye surgery, animal relocation etc
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