Primate Caregiver Longterm Volunteer Positions - South Africa
Samantha Dewhirst
Location: C.A.R.E. The Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education
Position: Primate CareGiver
Minimum Stay Required: 1 year;
Start Date: July / Aug 2024
Background
C.A.R.E. is a rehabilitation centre located within a Big 5 Nature Reserve, in the Hoedspruit area of Limpopo, South Africa. The centre itself is situated on the banks of the Olifants River and specialises in the rescue and rehabilitation of chacma baboons, since 1989.
Baboon orphans arrive in various conditions and ages, with most being below 3 months of age; those individuals will require intensive 24 hr care. We have a Quarantine Nursery, Bonding Enclosures to bond adult baboon foster mothers to orphaned baboon babies and we have more than 30 troops of baboons which are being rehabilitated for release. With the reality that in South Africa and globally that safe habitats for primates seems to be increasingly challenging, C.A.R.E. has taken a leap forward last year and now has a second site which is a priority for development of semi-wild enclosures to ensure that if the release habitats for the baboons are not available that they will have optimal welfare, in a sanctuary setting. All of the baboons coming through the centre and those at the centre are treated as if they will all be released; with hands-off care (and no interaction from caregivers) once they enter Phase 2 Rehabilitation, to ensure they remain wild and do not seek human attention.
The Vacancy
A voluntary staff role, where your food / accommodation is provided. A rewarding and tiring role that requires organisation skills, team work, communication skills, very high standards of cleanliness, lots of energy and bucket loads of patience and compassion for animals. Your role is vital for the stability of incoming orphans, their physical and psychological development as they progress through their rehabilitation journey. Your kind and caring personality is also key for ensuring the International Volunteers are trained, well communicated to and have a strong understanding of the concepts of the importance of hygiene, safety, following protocols / procedures / rules and baboon behaviour and conservation.
As a Primate CareGiver you will work with a close team to ensure C.A.R.E's Policies, Procedures are maintained in all areas of C.A.R.E. 's general operations. Your role will be to train and at times if appropriate supervise incoming international volunteers (which pay to be at the centre, and therefore require lots of hand-holding and patience as they learn how to be an efficient and helpful member of the team). You will be helping to carry out hygiene and cleanliness / organisation, preparing and providing milk formula bottles / food, caring for the animals in the Phase 1 area and Phase 2 area which includes any baboon orphans, foster mother baboons, the 5 ambassador snakes (corn snakes / non-venomous) and the ambassador pair of rabbits and pair of guinea-pigs. Additionally, you will be required to learn at least 7 troops of baboons at the centre (Identifying them) to conduct daily monitoring.
You will be expected to maintain all records as per the various animals you care for.
As part of living as part of a community of volunteers you will be asked to participate in general sanctuary tasks and cleaning; in the human communal areas (kitchen duties / around 3-4 cooking tasks per week of lunch / dinner, general cleaning of the human areas such as toilets / communal lounge / showers etc. when the cleaning lady is off and ensuring that communal supplies such as toilet paper / handwash / dishwash is also topped up / replaced).
Primate Caregiver – Main Responsibilities
Assist with the cleanliness and reporting maintenance of the Phase 1 Rehabilitation area husbandry buildings and cleaning tools / supplies which includes Nursery Quarantine building (including locker room / human surrogate bedroom / hay store / bin store), Bonding Enclosures (includes regular pressure washing / deep cleaning), Rabbit enclosure, Milk Kitchen (the food prep kitchen and animal laundry room)
Assist with records; reports / keeping guides, training information and manuals up to date, orphan intake records, daily orphan record
Ensure all cleaning tools / products are organised / in-stock
Making enrichment for Nursery / Bonding etc.
Learning troops of Phase 2 Baboons and daily monitoring / records / observations / end of day feed and lock checks
Daily and weekly stock checks and orders
Daily logistical, safety and animal safety end of day checks
Learn how to take care of infant baboons; daily feeding / care / enrichment; many hours spent in the nursery whilst they play, sleep, eat, poop and repeat
Work with the other longterm volunteers and managers who will also be Primary Caregivers to infant orphans and learn from them to become a Primary Rehabilitation Caregiver to infant orphan (sleeping with them at night and acting as a foster mother) - understand that orphaned baby baboons are not always at the centre, and you may not always be working hands on with orphaned babies. Orphaned baby baboons bond strongly to caregivers and their welfare is paramount; this can be very intense for a caregiver and combined with lack of sleep at times, and being away from family and friends you must be emotionally resilient
Be prepared to be chopping lots of food, cleaning a lot and have long days in often very hot weather (sometimes extremely hot); you must be fit, have energy and have a strong work ethic
Assist the team wherever else needed; phase 2 enclosure cleaning / clinic cover as needed / a weekly evening activity host to maintain community spirit (host a braii, movie night or games evening)
Primate-Caregiver Specification (Essential)
· A love for animals and knowledge of animal welfare; patience, compassion, animal care skills
· Proactive
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
· Good problem-solving skills and ability to be adaptive
· Excellent communication skills
· Fluent in English (verbal & written)
· Computer literacy, including google docs/sheets/slides, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.
· Ability to live and work closely with the rest of the team, comprising both International and National Staff
· Ability to live in remote a remote reserve with challenging logistics and very limited budget
· Analytical and critical thinking skills
· Patience and a willingness to work to different cultural values
· Experience working in a developing country - an advantage.
· Suitable candidates must be able to commit for a minimum of 1 year
Requirements
Diploma or Degree in biology, ecology, conservation, animal care, or related subjects. Previous experience working in an animal husbandry / care role essential.
Contract
This is a full-time, six (6) day a week position for a minimum of 1 year (prefer longer).
On-site accommodation is provided (may be shared), all meals are provided, onsite WiFi access is provided, laundry service is provided
The chosen candidate must provide evidence of personal health insurance, negative TB test.
The chosen candidate must cover their own medications, luxury food items and travel to C.A.R.E., visa costs, medical costs
A stipend may be available after completion of 3 months, depending on level of education / previous experience
To apply
Please send CV and cover letter to conserve...@gmail.com, please visit our website www.primatecare.org for more information on our organisation