Wildlife research internship in Namibia
Wildlife research internship in Namibia
Wildlife research internship in Namibia

Useful information

In the heart of Namibia, you will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the cats, and other wildlife, that the refuge hosts. Participate in research on these animals, while contributing to their conservation by helping out at the refuge, which is dedicated to the rehabilitation of wildlife in its natural habitat. You will divide your time between the research centre and performing daily tasks while participating in the internship at an animal shelter.

Bac pro CGEA
Scientific license
Prépa BCPST
Prépa ATS
ENS
Veterinary school
Bachelor's/Master's degree in solidarity and sustainable development
Studies in the health field

IN SHORT

Windhoek

From
 4  
to
 12  
weeks

Intermediate English

CONTACT US

Description of the program

The reserve is nestled in the Namibian bush, only 45 km from the capital of Namibia, Windhoek. Our local NGO, supervising the internship in an animal shelter, has now become a world-renowned conservation organisation. They offer shelter and a second chance to many injured, orphaned or endangered animals.

internship in an animal shelter

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The goal is, whenever possible, to release the animals back into the wild. Only animals that are too sick or have become familiar and are not able to survive in the wild on their own remain in the sanctuary. The help of volunteers is essential for us to continue to care for these animals. As with all of our animal internship programs abroad, this project in Namibia allows you to gain university credits while contributing to the protection of animals in the region.

 

The role of the interns

Interns have the wonderful opportunity to actively participate in the conservation, rehabilitation, care and research of African wildlife. The sanctuary currently provides a safe haven for orphaned, injured, and endangered animals, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, caracals, warthogs, antelopes, and baboons, as well as many birds, small African mammals, and farm animals. The help of participants, who are involved in wildlife protection, is essential to help us care for animals in remission or in permanent residence in the sanctuary, and helps maintain and develop the sanctuary. In addition, they will have access to a research centre to participate in various studies concerning these wildlife species as part of the internship in an animal shelter. You will be immersed in their daily life and will be able to analyse them closely!

All projects are divided between groups on a rotating basis to ensure that everyone can participate in the various experiences available.
Among the daily activities on the refuge, you will be able to :

- Prepare food and feed the animals
- Clean the pens
- Improve the living conditions of the animals
- Care for newborns
- Perform physical work such as construction of new facilities
- Conduct research (including free-ranging carnivore monitoring, camera and GPS data analysis)
On Saturdays everyone works, there is less activity, it's just preparing food for the animals, feeding, cleaning the pens and cleaning the camp. Sunday is on a voluntary basis, but volunteers also have the opportunity to relax at the lodge where there is a swimming pool and lunch for about £20 and wifi is available for those who want it.

 

You can choose from these 3 research centers:

- Desert program

Set in the breathtaking scenery of the Southern Mountains, ancient canyons and caves, fascinating geological formations and five natural fountains, our research center is truly unique and houses one of the Foundation's carnivore research programs - as well as being one of only three wineries in Namibia. Areas of work include leopards, human-wildlife conflict mitigation and helping in the wine cellar.

- Desert program n°2

About 2 to 3 hours southwest of our research center below, and on the border of the Namib Naukluft Park, is our desert retreat. Red sand dunes, vast grassy plains and the imposing mountain ranges constitute the serene setting.

The park is home to cheetahs, brown hyenas, spotted hyenas, leopards and a host of other desert-adapted species. Our reserve covers 352 km2 of desert landscape where volunteers participate in vital species research and conservation. Research is primarily conducted on spotted hyenas, small carnivores (caracal and black-backed jackal), and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.

Special program
:
- Elephant program(transfer from Wednesday to Wednesday / Malaria treatment strongly recommended from November to March)

Our elephant and wild dog research project is located east of the Etosha National Park Reserve. This internship project in a wildlife refuge in Namibia covers an area of about 3,000 km² and the objective of our work is to mitigate human-wildlife conflict with Namibian landowners and farmers.
Human activities have had a detrimental impact on native wildlife, including two of Africa's iconic species: the African painted dog (or wild dog) and the African elephant, both of which have endured decades of suffering due to habitat fragmentation, hunting and persecution. Our foundation's researchers are working in the Mangetti complex in northern Namibia to protect wild populations of African wild dogs and elephants, to better understand the levels and causes of conflict between these two species and the local population, and to implement solutions to mitigate conflict.

Host organization

In 2003, the founders decided to establish a clinic following the tragic death of a San baby.
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For example, the Lifeline Clinic was established in the remote village of Epukiro, Namibia, to provide free health care to the San people. In 2005, in association with their partners, the founders purchased the Frauenstein farm on the outskirts of Windhoek, transformed it into a nature reserve and built a refuge on the property. The main goal of the shelter was to create jobs for all those that the Lifeline clinic was hosting.
The Animals and Environment Foundation opened in 2007 with the goal of preserving Namibia's land, cultures and wildlife.
We believe in an Africa where :
- Humans and animals can live and thrive together.
- Wildlife is protected and valued, and the animals are well treated and the environment respected.
- It is possible to promote and defend the fact that nature belongs only to itself.
- Crops, especially Bushman crops, are integrated into our conservation projects.

- Human-animal conflicts can be mitigated.
- Innovative methods and concepts can be implemented to advance the protection of species and their habitat.

Strong points

Work on a reserve
Contribute to the protection of wildlife
Learn research techniques
Discover a new culture
Integrate into a multicultural team
Work with specialists

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