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Internship Program

   


A mere five minute drive from the magnificent Victoria Falls, lies the new Wild Horizons Wildlife Trust Sanctuary and Orphanage.  Situated above the Zambezi River Gorge the area is specifically designed to promote the conservation of wildlife and the preservation of the environment.  Our Wildlife Orphanage fosters abandoned animals as well as animals that have been rescued from injuries caused by human interference.

The primary focus of the Wild Horizons Wildlife Trust is on  the rescue and rehabilitation of elephant.  In addition to the Wildlife Orphanage, the trust also works closely with the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit as well as local communities to provide education and self-sustainability. 

We are now offering volunteers an opportunity to be a part of our conservation efforts by participating with our interns.

Anyone over the age of 18 is encouraged to apply to become a Wild Horizons Wildlife Trust intern.  Depending on the time of year, age, experience and interest, various projects are available to each individual.


A few of the projects we offer:-
  • Monitoring of orphan elephants and other orphaned animals, including: administration of formula, suckling, walking, social interaction, feeding, etc monitored and documented
  • Specialist Research on elephant socialization in relation to age and hormone levels (this requires a student with Veterinary experience)
  • Vegetation impact of the domestic elephant. Transects have already been set up and measured.  We need assistance with the monthly photography, research and entry of the information found, including everything of plant species to rainfall measurements.
  • Wildlife Sampling and basic analysis. Every animal that we dart or treat we take a range of samples from. Get involved in processing of the samples as well as a basic analysis of some of the samples at our Wildlife Laboratory and Clinic.
  • Anyone looking to assist with hospitality or hotel management, would be able to assist with the commercial Elephant Back Safaris and work with visiting clientele from around the world.
  • Interns can assist Roger Parry in the darting and removal of snares from injured or trapped animals, and depending on the situation, the rescue and rehabilitation of those animals.
  • PhD and Graduate Students or Researchers, needing a base and facility in which to be accommodated and to conduct their studies and have logistical support, this program is designed to assist you!
  • Darting of wildlife for research purposes and collaring. At certain times throughout the year we assist some of our partners in darting a range of species for collaring and various research needs. Get involved in this program (see Hwange darting costs below) to assist the darting team as a field assistant.
  • Monitoring of Collared Wildlife is an ongoing activity that we work with various research teams on as well as a few of our own animals that are released back into the wild. Learn to use telemetry and to track wildlife that has been collared.

Other Projects: anti poaching, elephant care, feeding of elephants, laboratory analysis, community work, working on our children's conservation education program

 
Accommodation:

You will be accommodated with other interns at a local Bed and Breakfast in the town of Victoria Falls. Ablutions facilities are available with flush toilets and hot and cold running water. Simple meals will be provided from the facility's kitchen. A staff member will take care of laundry. Internet access is available at any of the Internet Café's in the town or at the Wild Horizons Office of Victoria Falls. There is available transport to and from Victoria Falls twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

 
Hosts:
Your hosts will be Roger Parry and Jessica Dawson, Managers of the Wild Horizons Wildlife Trust.  They have a fabulous team of guides and staff that you will be working together with. 

Costs:

The current costs are as follows:  Intern $650 per week. Intern doing darting in Hwange $750 per week. Volunteer $750 per week. Volunteer doing darting in Hwange $850 per week. Costs include all accommodation, meals, and transportation to the individual’s project (to and from Victoria Falls Town). Please note costs are subject to change.

*An additional charge of $90 per day will be charged for any additional days booked to stay on before or after the internship at the B&B.
2012 Intake dates:


  • March 5th to April 6th
  • April 9th to May 11th
  • May 14th to June 15th
  • May 28th to June 29th
  • July 2nd to August 3rd
  • August 27th to September 28th
  • October 1st to November 2nd
  • November 5th to December 7th

Apply:

If you are interested in applying, have any questions or concerns; please feel free to contact us at internships@wildhorizonstrust.org    

Please click here to dowload a 2012 Internship application