Logo
Learn more about LIONSROCK Big Cats...


Jobs at LIONSROCK
Ranger
->job description (pdf)




Booking
box_bookings
Book your LIONSROCK accommodation here.

Volunteer Program


-> Volunteer Program online application form

Project description:
Lionsrock is a Big Cat Sanctuary in the Eastern Free State of South Africa, situated 18 km from Bethlehem and around 300 km from Johannesburg. The European animal welfare organisation „Vier Pfoten“ (Four Paws) established in the past 2 years the Sanctuary „Lionsrock“ for big cats, mainly lions, in need. At the moment we have 50 big cats to care for and this number will increase year by year. As many of our big cats came out of very bad conditions, it is very important to monitor their behavior in order to be able to adjust our daily management, to implement the right enrichment measures and to give every animal the best care and chances to adapt at its new home.

Regularly main tasks for Volunteers:

Monitoring of:
  • behavior and interactions of lions within a group
  • behavior and interactions between neighbour lion groups
  • relations between individuals within a lion group
  • response to enrichment measures in general
  • progress of adaption of new arrived big cats (mainly lions and tigers)
  • behavior and interactions, as well as progress in relationship between animals which should be introduced in future
Other activities on demand:

Assisting with:
  • feeding the big cats and cleaning of enclosures
  • preparing and implementing enrichment measures
  • medical treatments
  • building new structures for enclosures
  • game drives and visitor information
  • guided horseback tours for guests
  • game counting and management
  • border fence patrols
Qualifications:
  • students of biology, zoology, veternary medicin
  • volunteers with no qualifications should be high motivated and have a high interest for big cats
  • patience
  • be able to work outside under all possible weather conditions
  • love for animals, nature, people
  • acceptance and understanding what it means to work for but not with animals in direct contact
  • Language: spoken and written English
Prices:
1.000 € per month (13.198,90 ZAR*) *currency per 13.01.09
150 € per additional week ( 1.979,84 ZAR*)

-> online currency converter

Duration: 1 month minimum

Included in program:

Accommodation:
  • Selfcatering unit with 1 shared bedroom and 1 single room, bathroom and kitchen
  • Food will be provided for selfcatering
  • Airport transfer
  • Project transport
  • Occasional transport to Bethlehem for shopping once a week
  • Laundry (1 laundry bag per week)
  • Office with Internet access available
  • Working material will be provided
  • Invitation letter for Visa purpose
  • Official Certificate will be issued from Lionsrock for the period of training
Excluded in program:
  • Medical expences
  • Phone calls
  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Visa
  • Transport outside Project for free time use
What should you bring with:
  • warm cloth
  • good walking shoes
  • rain coat
  • towels
  • items for your personal hygiene
  • sun blocker (if you are here in summer)
  • hat or cap
Local amenities:
In Bethlehem you can find everything for your daily needs, like supermarkets, clothstores. You can also find a big variety of restaurants. Post Office, police station and different authorities are situated in town. Closest tourist attractions are in Clerance and the Golden Gate National Park, as well as in Fouriesburg. Within 2 hours you are in Lesotho, and at the Drakensberg Mountains.
Other distances: 4 hours drive to Durban, 3 hours to Johannesburg.

Working time:
5 days a week, generaly flexible within the week, 2 days off not necessarily on weekends (it will be done a weekly schedule)
you must be prepared to work sometimes also early mornings or until dawn, because it is the most active time for predators also in captivity

Departure Month: Any
Closure Dates: None

General terms of Conditions:

Age limit: the minimum age is 18 years

Agreements: all volunteers must sign

a) that they will follow the general rules of accommodation
b) that they will follow the safety instructions at any time (you must be aware that we are caring for dangerous animals)

Payment: deposit of 20 % on booking, 80% 2 weeks before arrival


top
donate
volunteer

NEWS
box_news
FOUR PAWS saves seven Lions

Support LIONSROCK
Bank account name:
LIONSROCK PARK

Bank and Code:
First National Bank - South Africa FNB-230133

Account No: 62165825583