Wildlife protection in volunteering and traveling

DO: It is best if you can observe the animals in their natural habitat and from a distance. Therefore, we definitely recommend a safari for an unforgettable wildlife experience. Whether in Asia or Africa, a safari can be the highlight of every trip: Suddenly there is a rustling and then cracking in the bushes - on a safari you simply never know which animal will cross your path next: Is it just a mouse, a monkey or suddenly there is an elephant before you? So pack your binoculars and keep your camera handy – who knows what animal you might spot in front of your lens. These moments of surprise are the best part of the whole safari!

You will not be able to crown your safari experience with a close-up elephant selfie, but if you spot a wild elephant or maybe even a whole herd with a bit more luck, then your breathing will falter. What a privilege to experience these animals in the wild, just unique! We believe that such observations are much nicer and more memorable than riding on an elephant.

DO NOT: It is best to avoid elephant orphanages, lion walks or similar animal experiences where you get up close and personal with the wild animals. Unfortunately, the providers lack transparency and you never know where these animals come from (e.g. baby animals are cruelly snatched from their mothers and "bred" for tourism) or what happens to the little lions, when they get too big to cuddle (e.g. become a trophy for hunting tourism?).

Unfortunately, there are various wildlife projects, which the Focus exclusively on the fees of the volunteers. Wild animals are often “procured” illegally, the animals are kept under unacceptable conditions and the well-being of the animals is neglected: all for profit! Sad but true. It is therefore very important that you proceed carefully when choosing a project.

We want to set a good example and demonstrate transparency so you can see which ones Values ​​a project must bring for us. You can also use this list as an aid for project and organization choice.

On what RGV pays attention in the cooperation of the projects:

• The well-being of the animals must come first.
• Animal husbandry must be as appropriate to the species as possible.
• The sustainable protection of biodiversity is a top priority in the project.
• Animals that are wild, stay wild (no contact with the animals such as stroking).
• Elephants are not put in chains.
• Animals are not sold or bred.
• Volunteers have a supporting function if they are not trained zookeepers or veterinarians.
• The projects work transparently (informing them where their animals come from and what will happen to them).
• If possible, the local population should be involved; Knowledge about animal welfare and behavior towards wildlife is passed on to the local population.

1. Be especially wary of projects involving volunteers without appropriate training Duties of animal caretakers or veterinarians. There you replace the staff rather. In addition, compliance with the right animal care and animal welfare can hardly be guaranteed.
2. Project choice: Before you decide on a project, get more information, Read the description as well as reports of other volunteers and take a look at some photos or videos about the project! From this information you can draw some conclusions.
3. Choice of organization: Find out if the organization works with animal welfare organizations or if there are guidelines on how projects are selected.
4. Think carefully, what kind of volunteer experience you want to do! The use in wildlife projects is usually hard physical work, no vacation and no petting zoo. Do you want to get close to the animals? Then opt for a project with pets, e.g. a Street Dog Project or for an animal sanctuary. The animals there are domesticated and therefore mostly long for cuddles. They are grateful for every positive and loving attention.

Since November 2016 is RGV member of South African Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH) and on their Website Listed as an “Ethical volunteer placement agency”. Together with CACH we are committed to socially responsible volunteering Animal welfare and wildlife projects a. We practice this belief in all of our target countries – beyond South Africa. For our wildlife projects, this means they are trustworthy and usually CACH-certified. We also work with ProWildlife together. We got ours from them too Animal welfare guidelines get checked. They are the animal welfare experts and we rely on their opinion and advice.