Becoming A Wildlife Volunteer | Wildlife ACT | Ep 1

[@whitezulu3793]

I was seconded to the NPB in 1995 as I was hand-raising a 2-week old baby White Rhino for the Game Capture unit in the Wilderness area in the Umfolozi Game Reserve. At the time I was living and working at a wildlife rehabilitation centre called CROW. They made me an honorary NPB Game Warden and as a thank you for successfully raising their valuable and endangered calf for 18 months until he was weaned, allowed me to spend a week up there at the Game Capture unit, darting both Black and White rhinos, (among other large game) to be held in a massive boma until the auction. It was a magical experience, living in caravans under a massive Ficus tree. During the day, we flew around in a tiny bubble of a helicopter, darting rhinos from the air with M99. I'll tell you a bit more about being on the ground too, in stripped down landys, racing to box up the sleeping animals before administering the antidote. I also spent some time running 2 luxury bush camps in the heart of the Okavango Delta, only accessible by small aircraft. I kept a daily diary while I was there and it's currently being read by me on KZbin.

[@deborahmercer1897]

You two have such a wonderful life together, aiding in conservation efforts, choreographing beautiful nature and wildlife films and connecting with people all over the world through your adventures, music and live chats. Your wealth is beyond measure and we are all so fortunate that you choose to share it with us. Thank you!

[@GuantanamoBayBarbie2]

It's wonderful to see rain fall in the dry season!

[@kagishomashiloane3630]

This is one video that must reach at least a million views

[@PabloBaindl]

James is THE BEST.... ;-)

[@LindaPolley]

Thanks for this wonderful behind the scenes video. Bless youall volunteers for your treasured help with the animals!

[@JamesHendry]

Thanks for watching!

[@annahasty7191]

Educational. Beautiful. Inspiring. Entertaining.😎

[@JamesHendry]

Thank you kindly

[@lindaandrews9053]

This is making me homesick for WACT, KZN and SA. Those mornings where you don’t get a signal for hours and your arm is aching from holding the telemetry, the view from the ROCK, the beep when you get a signal 😎 . Can’t wait to get back there! Thanks for bringing us there and highlighting the work of WACT.

[@gigicostlow4414]

Wow, so interesting and fun too. Cracked up at the rollercoaster scene. That baby ellie butt was so adorable. Made my morning. Beautiful place. I'm off to feed the hummingbirds who are impatiently waiting for me to fill their feeder. Little rascals. Can't wait for the next episode. Thanks James and Kirsten.

[@marilynpattenden9544]

Brings back memories. I worked for the Research Dept in HGR many years ago. Involved with the same kind of monitoring and Dung beetle research was big stuff at that time. I remember the first wild dogs that were brought in were suffering from mange. Once this was under control they were successfully released. Our JR had some close encounters of a wild dog kind in our garden. My heart will always have a soft spot for that part of the country.

[@atlantajuls7141]

Just catching up on your latest and thrilled. A few years ago I was looking into a conservation volunteer experience but most nervous about knowing which one is best. Good to have your expert stamp of approval.

[@jmcflorida3596]

That was one of the cutest baby ELYs, you could through the eyes, he was all about play time. Fantastic look in to conservation, thank you from America 😎

[@pattiwhite9575]

Thank you for getting involved in their project there. It is work but....in a beautiful location. I await more of this.

[@kobzdt]

Great video with a bit of James and Kirsten humor 👍 Nice insight into volunteering thx James!

[@JamesHendry]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@hellosunshine9915]

I really enjoyed this ! The young lady at the beginning I could have listened to her information forever ! It made me feel like I was there ! Thank u so much !

[@JamesHendry]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@khalafalsafuk104]

thank you for your effort

[@6Fiona6_P_6]

11:57 Wow. Just jaw dropping WoW. Absolutely beautiful. So lush and green, as far as the eye can see......... And those stats at the end are a very sobering reminder that we must do better to look after our environment. And to find real solutions to that conundrum for the people that are trying to survive the best they can, in taking care of their small meagre farms ect. But also for the precious wildlife both flora and fauna without which our daily existence would be lacking in beauty and dare I say some significant meaning. Also without that very flora and fauna we wouldn’t exist......... ⚛️☮️ 💚🐾 🌏

[@sarahkoschinski2037]

When I joined wildlifeAct in 2017 I stayed in the neighbour‘s room! Such a grat. camp and greatvteam. Love the HiP, not so overcrowded as the KNP for example. Great series, James and Kirsten

[@JamesHendry]

That's awesome!

[@5Heth]

James the best volunteer ever 😂👍🏼❤️

[@judyditchfield3713]

You are hilarious James

[@Oakcorn]

I think i'm going to like this new series. Future episodes will tell ...

[@audreyb233]

Admirable work achieved by WACT! Interesting to see behind the scenes & whats involved, & well done for volunteering thanks James & Kirsten xx

[@veragamsky1734]

Interesting and important work. Thanks to all of you.

[@readytogo6569]

Awwwww... please show more of the names on the info board next time. And, more of the board. Fascinating info!

[@nancyf52]

Thanks James and Kirsty for sharing this information. Love James humor always. This is going to be a great series.

[@JamesHendry]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@LadyMaelBethad]

Bit of info: Minimum age 18 (if with a parent you can be a bit younger) Maximum age: can anyone beat 85? 5 volunteers maximum on a reserve Minimum stay: South Africans 1 week. International volunteers 2 weeks. After 2 weeks there is a 20% discount. For returning volunteers: 20% discount

[@kagishomashiloane3630]

I have also been looking for a way to start volunteering around Hoedspruit MP. Nice video.

[@jackfitzpatrick8173]

I'm an Irishman who'd love to work in a South African park. Having no scientific training I suppose that would mean driving...food service,etc :-) I've visited several times and fell in love !

[@LadyMaelBethad]

For volunteering, all you need is enthusiasm.

[@jackfitzpatrick8173]

@@LadyMaelBethad Enthusiasm...and visa.

[@LadyMaelBethad]

@@jackfitzpatrick8173 I don't think the Irish need a visa to visit SA and you don't need one to volunteer with W-ACT

[@jauncoetzer2668]

Their technology is a bit outdated, I felt our frustration there James, lol.

[@dixiee3554]

❤

[@janicemfe]

Curious...are tusks harvested from elephants’ carcasses?...

[@Universalworld.555]

Can I joine you it's possible

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Wild dogs are my favorite African animal. We have and are losing so many species. Each one, no matter how tiny, diminishes the world and us as human beings.

[@ageishyena3035]

Only 500 in South Africa at the moment? Wow. I thought there were at least two or three times that. That collar doesn't suit you, I like my guides free-roaming :P I could never be able to filter out the static from that antenna while trying to locate the animals.

[@LadyMaelBethad]

650 is the most there has ever been. W-ACT and the EWT is working hard to increase numbers.