PRIMATE WORK IN
AFRICA
Endangered Species
Rehab in Nigeria & Cameroon
Qualified personnel
needed at the following facilities to serve as project supervisors and
technical advisors:
Drill Rehabilitation
& Breeding Center – Cross River State, Nigeria.
Founded in 1991, the
DRBC
maintains over 70%
of the world's captive drill population (285 drills) in natural-sized
reproductive groups of wild born founders and captive bred offspring. The
project also maintains 28 non-breeding chimpanzees. Project emphasis is on
conservation and technical aspects of group formation, breeding and preparation
for future release back to the wild. Most animals live at a field site and are
kept in multi-hectare, electrified enclosures of natural habitat. An urban
facility serves as quarantine & project HQ. The project is actively
involved in an in situ conservation program at the field site, and working with
government, communities and other NGOs to promote endangered species protection
nationally.
Limbe Wildlife
Center – Limbe, Cameroon.
Founded in 1994, LWC
is a recovery & rehab facility for endemic wildlife at a refurbished
government zoo in a coastal resort town. LWC maintains 16 gorillas, 50
chimpanzees, 54 drills, plus mandrills, baboons, mangabeys, guenons and misc.
antelopes and reptiles. Project emphasis is conservation education and
continued development of the facility.
Staffing needs:
Expatriate staff
work as technical advisors in support of national staff and may variously be
responsible for animal husbandry, daily operations, facility and equipment
maintenance and improvement, construction projects, administration, veterinary
care, and possibly community and government liaison activities. Short-term
volunteers may be accepted on a paying basis.
Work is voluntary.
In Nigeria, in-country expenses, housing and meals are provided. In Cameroon
housing may be provided and limited funds for groceries, etc. Stipends may be
available for highly qualified people. Minimum time commitment is one year,
subsidized assistance may not be available to volunteers for lesser periods of
time.
The following types
of skills and experience are valuable:
- Animal husbandry, veterinary and/or medical experience
- Practical & mechanical skills (construction, automotive, electrical, etc.)
- Appropriate educational background
- Developing country experience
- Administration, management, fund-raising, public relations and good writing skills
- Conservation or development work, particularly in Africa
These positions are
very demanding, requiring determination and genuine commitment to African
wildlife conservation. Life here is rarely easy. Positions may be suitable for
a couple with a balance of the above skills who are willing to work
independently. Applicants must be at least 25 years old, be willing to shoulder
tremendous responsibility and take direction while having the ability to make
decisions independently as needed. Commitment to team work is essential. Daily
routines include long hours of often mundane work.
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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