|
Volunteers flock to Chimp Eden
Several young people have volunteered at the
Sanctuary since our volunteer courses were
launched at JGI SA Chimpanzee Eden last year.
Volunteer coordinator, Jessica Ney, says the
highlight for these volunteers, mainly Americans
and Europeans, is the opportunity to really get
to know the chimpanzees.
“Although they never get to handle the chimps,
much of their work involves close observation of
chimp behaviour,” she says. “As a result, those
that do the month-long course get a very
intimate understanding of the different
personalities.”
Volunteers have a choice of week-long
(introductory) or month-long courses. One
package offers rustic accommodation in the
Umhloti nature reserve while the second, for
those wanting a little more luxury, provides
accommodation at the five star Umhloti Lodge.
“Volunteers are required to do some manual
labour, including sorting vegetables for the
chimps, cleaning fridges or checking fences,”
says Jessica. “Most of their work, however,
involves collecting behavioural data for a
research project.”
Volunteers also attend lectures on the history
of chimpanzees in Africa, diet, behaviour,
environmental education and sanctuary
management.
Jessica, with her keen wit, knowledge and
experience with animals, ensures that volunteers
get the most from their time at the sanctuary.
Born in Berlin, she attended an American school
in Germany before going on to get a Bachelors
degree in Animal Behaviour, Ecology and
Conservation from Cambridge. She then returned
to Berlin to do her Masters in Animal Sciences.
She
was working in South Africa, guiding children in
the bush, when she heard that Eugene Cussons of
JGI SA Chimpanzee Eden was looking for a
behaviourist.
“I
jumped at the chance because I much prefer
animals to children!” she quips.
Volunteer packages are as follows:
Package 1:
Volunteers are housed in rustic purpose-built
volunteer accommodation on the Umhloti Nature
Reserve, approximately 2km from the chimpanzee
sanctuary. The course costs R2625-00
(approx. 375US$) per week, including
accommodation and three meals per day.
Package 2:
Volunteers are accommodated in standard rooms at
Umhloti Lodge, adjacent to the chimpanzee
sanctuary, and are able to experience the full
luxuries of the lodge. The course costs
R4875-00 (approx. 696US$) per week,
including accommodation and three meals per day.
For more
information, please visit
http://www.janegoodall.co.za/volunteers.asp
|
