How You Can Help Tigers

Experience the spectacular vistas of countries like South Africa and make a real and worthy contribution to tiger conservation by searching trips and programs on our directory. There are lots of wonderful wildlife projects giving volunteers the opportunity to help in renowned game reserves hosting Africa’s Big 5. 

As a volunteer you will work alongside experts in game reserve management and conservation where they will become involved in all of the conservation related projects on the reserve and will learn conservation and bush skills. Data collected as part of the volunteers work is used by reserve managers to plan for future provision and conservation management. Volunteers can also work closely with big cats and care for sick and injured animals in rehabilitation centres.

Some sanctuaries in Africa and Asia house a huge variety of wildlife. There may be the opportunity to participate in the active release programme into various game reserves. Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with the tracking, monitoring and occasionally relocation of wildlife within the reserve. For example, the tigers that arrive in the centre have been abused, orphaned or injured and the aim is to heal them and re-release them into the wild.

Some project rehabilitates tigers, although as not indigenous to South Africa, the tiger offspring are sometimes translocated to their natural habitat such as China and Bangladesh. There will also be chances to get up close and personal with other animals like lions and elephants. Experienced guides can offer invaluable insights into the behaviour and interactions of the wildlife.

Some projects also run community outreach programmes where you can assist at a local centres and schools giving food to local people prepared by the project’s chefs to the local community.

 

Location of Projects

Places you can volunteer to help tigers include Africa and Asia. Popular destinations include going to volunteer include South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia and India.

 

Volunteer Activities Include

When volunteering with tigers you can expect to be doing tasks like:

  • area conservation (e.g. rehabilitation of eroded and other area, raising of trees for re-establishment on the Reserve, vegetation management, eradication of alien plants)
  • caring for the orphaned animals
  • assisting in elephant training
  • assisting in game captures
  • feeding of predators
  • game counts
  • accompanying the rangers on game drives
  • fence patrol and maintenance
  • fire management initiatives (seasonally dependent)
  • interacting with guests
  • participation in community outreach programme

 

Accommodation

Volunteers usually stay on game reserve in one of the two volunteer lodges with shared, single sex, bedrooms and bathroom. Both have kitchens, lounges with dining areas, fireplaces and entertainment areas with a television, DVD players and pool tables.  There are good sporting facilities such as tennis courts and a cricket field and swimming pool. There is internet access in the main building at a nominal fee. All meals are provided.

 

Cost

Duration and fees can vary, what is generally included:

  • Airport transfers 
  • Orientation programme 
  • Food and accommodation on the Reserve (not on weekend excursions) 
  • Assistance and support from project staff 
  • In-country assistance

 

Donate to Help

If you have an interest and would like to help but not participate on a volunteer program overseas there are global campaigns like TigerTime which aim to save the wild tiger, this organisation is backed by the highly respected and much loved British wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd CBE and was launched on his 80th birthday in April 2011. You can help awareness or donate online.

 

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