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Brilliant 4.75rating (69)

Vervet Monkey Rescue & Rehabilitation

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Be a hands-on surrogate mother to baby Vervet Monkeys who have been orphaned in baby season (mid-October to late February) or spend time assisting at the sanctuary with around 300 monkeys
  • Get stuck in assisting with monkey rescues which can be extremely challenging and often daily. Surrogate baby mothers will spend more time in the nursery
  • Take pride in the fact that your work will help the long term goal of a life of freedom in the wild for the monkeys you help with and your help has contributed to the welfare of so many monkeys

Highlights

  • Be a hands-on surrogate mother to baby Vervet Monkeys who have been orphaned in baby season (mid-October to late February) or spend time assisting at the sanctuary with around 300 monkeys
  • Get stuck in assisting with monkey rescues which can be extremely challenging and often daily. Surrogate baby mothers will spend more time in the nursery
  • Take pride in the fact that your work will help the long term goal of a life of freedom in the wild for the monkeys you help with and your help has contributed to the welfare of so many monkeys
  • Learn from experienced primate conservationists about the various processes and challenges in primate rescue and rehabilitation, monkey behavior, diet and being a nursemaid to the babies
  • Visit some of the best wildlife reserves and national parks South Africa as to offer in your free time to view the Africa's Big 5... or relax on one of Durban's golden beaches

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Volunteer with rescued Vervet Monkeys at a permitted Monkey Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release Centre in the lush province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa

    It all started in 1995 as an educational awareness organisation and over the years, the project grew around to incorporate the need for rescue and care of Vervet Monkeys who are not protected enough by provincial and national government legislation. In 2015 when the holding facilities at the main ...

    About the program

    It all started in 1995 as an educational awareness organisation and over the years, the project grew around to incorporate the need for rescue and care of Vervet Monkeys who are not protected enough by provincial and national government legislation. In 2015 when the holding facilities at the main property proved not to be large enough, a lease was secured for 10 hectares on a tribal nature reserve in the countryside, which is where the larger adult Vervet monkeys were rehabilitated in troops until recently until a better property was secured to accommodate the nursery, juvenile monkeys in phase 1 of the rehabilitation process and the adult troops in the rehabialtion enclosures. Those monkeys in high care are kept here too and for the future, we hope an onsite clinic. 

    The project responds to more than 1000 rescue callouts every year – and sometimes up to ten callouts every day. Vervet Monkey injuries range from wounds sustained during fights with other monkeys, dog bites, being run over by motor vehicles, electrocution, being snared, trapped or poisoned, being shot with air (pellet) guns, catapults, paint-ball guns and firearms and being caught-up or injured on security razor-wire and many do not make it. 

    Many of the rescues- especially in the peak baby season from October to January - are babies or juveniles who are orphaned or injured when mother monkeys are attacked by dogs or other monkeys or are severely injured or killed in human-related incidents.

    Over eighty percent of the monkeys that are rescued, irrespective of the reason why, have got air gun pellets lodged in their bodies. A number of rescues each year concern monkeys who are simply sick, debilitated by illness, and once treated and recovered they are easily, but correctly, released back into their home territory.

    Rescue callouts originate from members of the public, other animal care organisations, veterinary practices, the police, various municipal offices, etc.

    On any given day, the project has many monkeys in its home-based, “high care” facility.

    What we do

    All rescued monkeys are cared for in the “high care” facility after first being taken to a veterinary doctor. Once they have recovered from their injuries these monkeys are released back into their home territory or transferred to the wildlife rehabilitation centre or placed in the primate sanctuary

    The project carries out rescues 24-hours a day, 365 days a year and…..

    • carry out or coordinate primate rescues.
    • assist with Vervet sanctuary, neonatal care and rehabilitation.
    • distribute information/educational leaflets including doing talks at schools and to other interested groups.
    • lobby on behalf of Vervets and for the protection of indigenous wildlife habitat
    • encourage people to plant the indigenous trees and shrubs that provide food and shelter for Vervets and numerous other indigenous animals.
    • fundraise to cover the cost of rescues, veterinary treatment, high-care and rehabilitation.
    • assist people who are having problems with monkeys.
    • assist residential and golfing estates, hotels, casinos, businesses, restaurants and B&B’s where monkeys are a “problem”
    • advise and assist with the establishment of feeding stations.
    • organise and carry out snare sweeps.

    ….. so there is a lot of work for you as a volunteer to assist with!

    Important: We require either a negative result from a Mantoux test which is for Tuberculosis or a letter from your doctor stating you are vaccinated for Tuberculosis. It’s just to keep the baby monkeys protected as they are so vulnerable to diseases we might carry. 



    Typical day

    Please be aware if assisting being a nursemaid to the baby monkeys which takes place ONLY in baby season, that new-borns need feeding every two hours right throughout the night. At around four weeks old, the feeding is roughly every four hours, and they start sleeping though the night. Those ...

    Typical day

    Please be aware if assisting being a nursemaid to the baby monkeys which takes place ONLY in baby season, that new-borns need feeding every two hours right throughout the night. At around four weeks old, the feeding is roughly every four hours, and they start sleeping though the night. Those volunteers assisting with bottle feeding the babies must be flexible as this can change depending on the individual baby monkeys. We take a maximum of 8 volunteers and baby monkey season is very popular so book early. Baby season starts around mid-October with new borns still being rescued through in December. As they will need care until 3 months old, it will tail off around late February into early March and they will slowly be introduced to solid food and weaned off the bottle. Please be aware these are wild animals and rescued so we cannot predict numbers or the stages of the rescued babies ages as sometimes the season can start early and finish late. Or the other way around. Roughly over every baby season, more than 50+ babies survive and end up being cared for. Sadly, many do not make it. 

    Typical Day

    • 7 and 8:00am - time for your breakfast and start preparing the food for the monkeys's breakfast.
    • 8 to 12:00 - volunteer duties dependent on the season and if at the baby nursery and high care homebase or the sanctuary and rehabilitation area in the far side of the property
    • 12 to 13:00 - it’s time for lunch, a quick break, and a catch up.
    • 13 to 17:30 - volunteer duties dependent on the season and if at the baby nursery and high care homebase or the sanctuary and rehabilitation area in the far side of the property
    • 17:30 - Finally, it is time for dinner which is a good South African style vegan supper…trust us when we say that vegan never tasted so good!
    • 17:30 to bedtime - time to relax, watch TV, play some pool in the games room and if on nursemaid duties, you may have some feeds throughout the evening and monkey cuddles before babies get put to bed.

    Please be aware that with the rescued baby monkeys, there are regular feeds depending on their age which can disrupt this schedule. Also, if assisting with monkey rescue call outs, they are sporadic, unplanned and unpredictable.

    Your volunteer duties out of baby season may include:

    • Assist with the maintenance and upkeep of the monkey rehabilitation enclosures.
    • Monitor and observe monkey troops in their rehabilitation enclosures and report any incidents should they occur.
    • Collection and sorting food
    • Preparation of food- chopping fresh produce and preparing dry foods
    • Keeping food storage areas clean and tidy
    • Washing of feeding bowls and food prep areas
    • Delivering food to enclosures (ONLY permanent staff are permitted to carry food INTO the main monkey rehabilitation enclosures with the adult monkeys)
    • Enrichment projects for mental and physical stimulation of captive primates to reduce boredom.
    • Assisting with fundraisers or school educational visits
    • Assist with veterinary visits.
    • Assist on rescues and animal cruelty reports at the local police stations.
    • Distributing educational leaflets in areas where cruelty has been reported.
    • Checking, feeding and caring for any other rescued animals at the project.
    • Assisting with the vegetable garden and indigenous plant nursery
    • Checking boundary fences and repairs
    • Construction of enclosure “furniture” and enrichments
    • Clearing vegetation, litter and snares on area surrounding the property
    • Monitoring and recording of information on free ranging troops of wild monkeys.
    • Reporting any injured monkeys in the enclosures to the management
    • Assisting with preparing and planting vegetables which will help towards fresh food for the monkeys.
    • …and any other chores volunteers are willing to assist with

    Volunteers are NOT permitted to enter any of the rehabilitation enclosures on the property with the adult troops of Vervet Monkeys unless requested by management.

    The minumum age for volunteers assisting with in early baby seasons with newborns is 21 years old. 

    Your volunteer duties with the baby monkeys in baby season may include the above and:

    • Preparing infant formula as frequent as every two hours
    • Washing and sterilising bottles
    • Bottle feeding of babies.
    • Bathing babies
    • Any care similar to human babies- you may be required to take a baby or babies with you to your volunteer accommodation for night feeds.
    • Cleaning babies sleep boxes.
    • Keeping the babies play areas clean and hygienic.
    • Washing baby blankets and soft toys as baby monkeys are very messy.
    • Providing enrichments in the baby play area with splash pools, hammocks, and swings
    • Assisting with introduction to a troop
    •  …and of course, falling absolutely in love with these delicate little imps. 


    Free-time activities

    Durban is in the province of KwaZulu-Natal the home of the Zulu Kingdom of which the warrior Shaka is the most famous. It has a subtropical climate and home to the most amazing wildlife and vegetation with plenty to do in your free time whether wildlife, cultural or marine life are your interests. ..

    Free-time activities

    Durban is in the province of KwaZulu-Natal the home of the Zulu Kingdom of which the warrior Shaka is the most famous. It has a subtropical climate and home to the most amazing wildlife and vegetation with plenty to do in your free time whether wildlife, cultural or marine life are your interests. Here are a few suggestions:

    • uShaka Marine World is definitely one of the star attractions if in Durban where you can snorkel lagoons, feed fish and rays, cage dive with sharks and “walk the ocean” or just catch the penguin or seal feeding times
    • Take a boat tour with the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board travelling through the Durban harbour and watch staff servicing the shark nets
    • Visit PheZulu Safari Park for a reptile tour or a safari game drive
    • Beaches…beaches and more beaches…Umhlanga is one of our favourites for swimming. And the water is usually so warm
    • Hluhluwe iMfolozi Big 5 Safari Tour - this is a full day trip to one of South Africa’s best wildlife reserves famous for lions, elephants, rhinos and giraffes. It starts very early and can take up to 12 hours but so worth it! You can also include visiting the elephants at Bayete Zulu
    • Take part in a Zulu cultural tour and learn about Nqombothi (traditional Zulu beer) brewing, spear making, beading, weaving, pottery and also traditional dancing and singing. Not to be missed. This can be incorporated too with a wildlife viewing afternoon
    • Visit the Anglo-Zulu war battlefields on tour
    • Do a ½ day Durban city tour visiting landmarks, buildings, the botanical gardens and the Indian Market for famous Durban curry spices and souvenirs
    • Do a ½ day Durban wildlife tour of Natal Sharks Board and Umgeni Bird park

     

    Durban also has the largest Indian community outside of Indian which over the centuries has made its mark on the local cuisine. One of the most famous culinary delights coming out of Durban is the spicy bunny chow. Despite the name it does not involve bunnies or rabbits but is a spicy curry – your preference for meat or vegetarian- dished into a hollowed out ¼ or ½ a loaf of white bread. Absolutely delicious although notoriously spicy! Also fantastic samosas, breyanis and rotis!

     

    Boredom is definitely not an option in Durban with culture, history, wildlife- both land and sea, shopping, beaches and stunning scenery!


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Required Documents

    We require either a negative result from a Mantoux test which is for Tuberculosis or a letter from your doctor stating you are vaccinated for Tuberculosis. It’s just to keep the baby monkeys protected as they are so vulnerable to diseases we might carry.

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    A background with wildlife rehabilitation, primate studies, conservation, veterinary medicine, zoology or a related field, is always a bonus but not a requirement. We do require volunteers to be hard-working, mature-minded, calm and able to be responsible especially those assisiting with the babies.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Program fees include: 
    • 3 meals a day (strictly vegan) while onsite
    • onsite shared accommodation
    • meeting you at King Shaka International airport in Durban
    • airport transfers from and to King Shaka International Airport
    • transport while on the project (not free time days)
    • pre-departure support and admin
    • 24- emergency help
    • in-country support and staff on the ground

    Discounts available on longer stays or group bookings.


    Airport Pickup at King Shaka International Airport

    The closest airport for the Monkey Rescue and Rehabilitation project is in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa and is King Shaka International Airport which is a hour's drive away.

    Arrival flights must land no later than 15:30 and departure flights must leave no earlier than 10:00.

    Please wait at arrivals to be collected after collecting your luggage and do not leave the area. Please look for your driver with a board with your name on it. If possible log into the Airport’s WIFI and notify us that you have landed.

    Accommodation

    For the duration of your stay, you will mainly stay onsite in a wonderful double storey house in a beautiful countryside setting with the coordinators. Bedrooms are shared either with one other or at most, three other volunteers of the same gender. Couples, families, and friends can be accommodated. A maximum of eight volunteers can be accommodated at one time.

    • The three shared bedrooms have single beds and bedding, and towels are available.
    • The two bathrooms are shared and have a hand basin, bath, hand shower, and toilet.
    • There is WIFI 
    • There are two lounges - one with a with a TV - and a dining room.
    • There are lockable cupboards in the bedrooms to store valuables.
    • There are two kitchens, one for animal food preparation and the other for human food preparation. The kitchen used by volunteers and the coordinators, is fully equipped. 
    • There is a washing machine so please bring eco-friendly laundry detergent with
    • and for those balmy hot and humid Durban days, a braai area (BBQ) with a stunning pool for volunteers to swim in with a fantastic outside entertainment area. Please bring a beach towel for the pool...or beach trips. 

    The baby nursery, specials needs, and main monkey rehabilitation enclosures are all onsite, so volunteers do not need to travel. 

    Food & Beverages

    Food at the project is strictly vegan whether for meals or food brought into the project. 

    If volunteers crave a non-vegan dish, there are plenty of restaurants in the area to eat out at. The project is strictly animal and earth friendly so please no non-vegan take-outs too.

    Meals are provided on the project.

    • Breakfast is self-service and consists of cereals, toast, and spreads. 
    • Lunch is either packed sandwiches and fruit or self-service a salad or sandwiches at home. 
    • Dinners are traditional cooked South African dishes like babotie “pap en sous" and anything from pastas, curries, stews, braais (BBQ). Tea, coffee, and juice are provided. 

    You will have plenty of time to get extras like sweets and vegan chocolates, at the local shops. 

    South African food is well known for being very tasty and you will get a chance to taste some of the delicious local specialities while on the project.

    Goods that include specialty foods like gluten-free, alcoholic beverages, sodas, sweets, snacks and luxury items are not included in your package, so please bring your own along provided that they are vegan if for the volunteer accommodation. If you have a specific dietary requirement, please let us know!

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
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    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    This project is available all year around with arrivals and departures from Mondays to Fridays (not weekends) and you choose your dates. 

    You would fly into Durban's King Shaka International Airport before 15:30 to be collected by your driver with your name on a board. 

    Please note: Space is limited -especially in baby season- so please try book early. 

    Early November we only have one space availaable for a volunteer. 

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 1,210€
    3 weeks 1,642€
    4 weeks 2,074€
    5 weeks 2,506€
    6 weeks 2,926€
    7 weeks 3,309€
    8 weeks 3,691€
    9 weeks 4,025€
    10 weeks 4,444€
    11 weeks 4,815€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 5,185€
    Average fees 519€/week

    Program fees

    519€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Volunteer Int. Adventures during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
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    Sharon
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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