Overview
P.Y.V.O Ghana provides a magnificent opportunity for volunteers to help in wildlife and environmental conservation projects, animal care. Conservation Project volunteers work in a diversity of projects – Mole national park, zoo work in Kumasi, Monkey Sanctuary work at Boabeng Fiema Monkey zone, etc. Work within the Wilderness and assist in tracking, observing and monitoring animal species, updating the reserve’s database and assisting in the preservation and protection of Ghana’s wildlife.
GHANA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PROJECT
The Ghana Wildlife Conservation Project has been established with the aim to closely study wild animals in a wildlife park environment – Volunteers will assist and produce meaningful and useful data which can be incorporated into other academic research projects.
Venturing out on foot or in a dedicated Game Viewer vehicle, the Volunteer Co-coordinator plans the days to ensure that data is recorded on each of the animal species and the various habitats. The project focuses on the following:
• Elephant behaviour (herd make-up, movements, parent/offspring behaviour, individual characteristics, feeding traits, etc).
• Monkey activity (species, territory utilization, feeding and social behaviour).
Additionally, the volunteers collect data on general game, birds, vegetation mapping and tree population and growth. We can also include a specific focus to our Project, as requested by these research projects -maybe mapping a specific tree species or more specific information on feeding habits of one animal species. Bush skills of identifying animals and birds and their behaviour, tree and plant identification and the interrelation between all of these are explained and taught by the Co-coordinator as well as the art of Tracking – such a valuable skill in finding animals and understanding their behaviour.
The data collected is added to our database which is periodically distributed to ongoing academic research projects both in this area and elsewhere, furthering mans knowledge of wildlife areas and the behaviour of the animals living therein.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The project director sits as a trustee of Children in the Wildlife village, Damongo, and supports children from the local communities, inspiring them to care for and protect their natural heritage. We are actively involved within the schools and sponsor and operate 5-night camps for the local children, developing an interest and passion for conservation in them and nurturing leaders to become custodians of these fragile ecosystems in the future.
Quick Facts
Activities of Volunteer’s at Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary
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Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary is located 22km North of Nkoranza and home to many families of Mona Monkeys which number about 600 in the sanctuary, well looking and brown in color. The Geoffrey’s Pied Columbus Monkeys are black and white in color and there are about 250 in the sanctuary. Traditional believers in the communities prohibit physical harm to the monkeys. Boabeng Fiema Monkeys Sanctuary is the only place in Africa where one can easily view these species in their numbers. There are varieties of butterflies, birds and a lot of species of trees that one can identify. As a volunteer, your day-to-day activities will be;
- Performing tours
- Administrative tasks
- Enlightening visitors about the history of the monkeys and other flora and fauna in the monkey sanctuary.
The most important requirements for this volunteer program are: Hard working skills, being ecologically perceptive, willing to learn about new cultures and the most important one, eagerness.
Volunteers tasks can vary on a daily basis and volunteers need to be flexible and open minded.
Activities of Volunteer’s at the Zoo
Ghana’s zoo comprises of many birds and endangered species of animals indigenous to Africa. As a volunteer, your day-to-day activities will be;
- Cleaning
- Feeding the animals.
- Moving the animals from one place to another
- Caring for sick animals and other duties that will be assigned to you by the officials.
Start Dates and Durations
This project is ongoing so interested participants can arrive any day of the year with advanced notice. You can volunteer for periods of 2 weeks to 6 months. Extension can be arranged with advanced notice as well.
Accommodation and Meals
- Electrical energy
- Running water at the house
- Shared room with other volunteers with basic furniture.
- Three meals daily
What can I do during my free time?
On your free time you can visit any of these tourist centers in Ghana. Please speak to our staff for more details.
What will I be doing?
Volunteers assist in tracking, observing and monitoring animal species and updating the reserve’s database, assisting in the preservation and protection of Ghana’s wildlife
HIGHLIGHTS
- Suitable for anybody that wants to leave civilization behind, clear their minds and enjoy pristine wildlife away from the stresses of civilization.
- For anyone who has a desire to venture off the usual tourist route.
- Assisting in tracking, observing and monitoring animal species, and updating the reserve’s wildlife.
- Community involvement where we work in the schools to educate children on the value of the wildlife in their habitat.
- Have amazing opportunities to see a variety of wildlife in their natural environment.
- Get to experience the beautiful country of Ghana.
- Make friends for life.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- All airport transfers from Accra Airport upon your arrival and departure
- All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay
- Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day.
- Assistance in your projects by various P.Y.V.O staff and volunteer coordinators. Full support from P.Y.V.O and your coordinator throughout your time on your placement
- Free internet service in our office, Orientation, placement, assistance and adjustment, program and volunteer co-ordination/ staff support.
- Accommodation from the beginning to the end of program.
The project cost excludes:
• Transportation (excluding project sites).
• Insurance for lost luggage.
• Traveling on weekends to tourist attraction centers / entering fees for any tourist place/ hotel accommodations
• Smoking /drinking and clubbing
• Air ticket
• Buying gifts/souvenirs for friends and family members back home.
• Flight, airport taxes, visa, immunizations, personal expenses, travel insurance, passports
DO I NEED EXPERIENCE
We welcome volunteers with the ability to communicate suitably in the English language and a passion and interest in wildlife and conservation. Volunteers should be of a reasonable fitness level as there is a bit of walking / foot-based tracking involved in the project.
During your stay, volunteers are given practical instruction in a number of relevant topics including wildlife tracking, animal behavior, bird and plant identification, and astronomy.
AGE LIMIT
Minimum age requirement is 18 years, and maximum age is 70 years old (subject to health of potential participant)
