Paradise

All around the world, more and more animals are now facing the threat of extinction due to the expanding human population. Some examples of animals that are facing this threat are the “Big 5 “game like the elephant and rhino, found in Africa. As such, these animals are in serious need of wildlife conservation efforts to save them from extinction. Nowadays, wildlife conservation advocates have come up the idea of gap year wildlife conservation programs for people who wish to volunteer while they are taking a break from studies or work. With a wildlife conservation program, volunteers can contribute their free time towards the preservation of these endangered animals.

The Rhino in the Wild

Facing threats from poachers, the rhinos that once roamed the plains of the veld can hardly be found at all except in wildlife game reserves in the National Parks. As a gap year volunteer, you will be involved in conservation efforts to preserve the existing rhino population, and at the same time become involved in programs designed to help increase population. Gap year volunteers also work closely with the wildlife conservationists to help eliminate poaching, by educating the rural communities on the negative effects of poaching the rhinos for their horns.

The Ivory trade and the Elephant

There is no doubt that the illicit global trade in ivory has caused the sharp decline of the elephant population in Africa. The elephants were once the giants of the plains, in number as well as stature, but today their population is rapidly declining. Today, the elephant population is diminished and fragmented. They are still being poached for their ivory, and wildlife authorities severely lacking in resources are unable to implement an effective wildlife conservation program. As such, gap year volunteers are in high demand to assist the authorities in elephant conservation projects.