Volunteering

Pandrillus accepts committed and skilled long-term volunteers at both Drill Ranch and Limbe Wildlife Center. LWC also has short-term placements for paying volunteers. We are interested in a diverse set of skills not limited to animal experience or degrees. The most important qualities are a serious interest and the willingness to work as part of a team.

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.

Please use our contact page to get in touch.