WILD INSIDE ADVENTURES
Helping Hands
Primate Rehabilitation Project
Helping Hands for Wildlife is a non-profit organisation, running a wildlife rescue and rehabilitaion centre at the foot of the stunning Hlumu Hlumu Mountains in the Mpumalanga Region of South Africa.
Helping hands focuses primarily of the indigenous vervet monkeys, who are often the victims of human-animal conflict, and sadly seen as a pest by many people in South Africa. The sanctuary is the only primate rehabilitation center in the province.
The center is one of the few places that really does try to rehabilitate wildlife, and get them released into the wild, unlike many other places in south Africa, which are really more just glorified zoos. If an animal for any reason cannot be released back into the wild, it is then given life long care, and a forever home.
Volunteers become essential team members, and are very valued and needed for the success of Helping Hands. The project relies heavily on volunteers, and the work you carry out is vital for the day-to day running of the centre.
Most of the monkeys come in as tiny babies after their mothers have been shot, poisoned, hit by cars. Any other wildlife that needs to be rescued is also taken in, and to date the rehabilitation center has worked successfully with mongoose, antelope, warthog, bushpigs, bushbabies, small predators, reptiles and various bird species.
Helping Hands has no government support, and relies solely on volunteer donations to continue it's vital work. Without volunteers, it would not exist, and the many animals taken in each year would not have a future.
Volunteers are involved in every aspect of care for the animals at the rehabilitation center, and play an active role in their eventual release back into nature. The experience is very hands-on. During baby monkey season, volunteers get stuck in helping to hand-rear orphaned vervet monkeys, which is a round the clock job.
This project suits wildlife lovers wanting to make a big difference, and those wanting to gain experience with wildlife and rehabilitation. We want you to get out of the project as much as you put in, and guarantee you will leave with some really beautiful memories. Many volunteers return year after year.
The fee/donation that volunteers pay covers food, transport and accommodation during your stay, with the remainder then put back into the sanctuary, covering costs such as veterinary fees, food for the animals, formula for the baby monkeys, bedding, repair costs for enclosures, transport costs while rescuing orphans, general running costs of the rehabilitation center, plus anything else the animals need.
We cannot stress enough how valued volunteers are on this project, and how much of a difference you make to so many lives.
'Saving one animal will not change the world, but it will change the world for that one animal'.
THE PROJECT
MISSION:
Rescue: Helping Hands takes in orphaned and displaced indigenous wildlife, with the aim of rehabilitation and release back into protected areas of the wild.
Rehabilitation: Each species requires a different approach to rehabilitation, which involves different processes, including troop bonding for social animals and re-wilding for solitary animals.
Release: The final aim is always to release any animal back into the wild wherever possible. This involves finding a suitable site, ensuring the animal is in the best condition to survive, and securing the necessary permits and paperwork.
Education: Only through education can we change the mindset and attitude of the public towards wildlife.
ACTIVITIES
Volunteers are essential to the success of the rehabilitation center. Staff will ensure that you get involved and have fun, while learning a new way of life, all while making a huge difference to wildlife conservation. As a volunteer you will be treated as a professional member of the team.
Working hours are generally from 7am-5pm, but this is dependent on animal emergencies. If emergencies occur, days may become longer and more demanding.
A positive attitude, willingness to help and a sense of humour are essential! Volunteers should expect to get dirty, exhausted but extremely HAPPY at the end of the day!
While the majority of animals at the rehabilitation center are vervet monkeys, there will also be other species of wildlife for you to take care of, including other species of monkeys, and at times mongeese, meerkats and small predators, plus any other species that need help.
As with most animal lovers, the owners have collected animals along the way, and there are also a few domestic and farm animals such as dogs and goats that have become part of the family.
Volunteer Activities:
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Daily Feeding Routines
This will include unloading, sorting and storing of new food, chopping fruit and vegetables, dishing food up, and feeding the animals in the center. Each species has different dietary requirements.
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Hand Raising and Bottle Feeding Orphans
Mostly from November to May. This is one of the most rewarding aspects of the project, but also one of the most tiring! Animals may need to be fed around the clock, with volunteers on a rota.
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Cleaning Enclosures and Work Areas
There is always cleaning to be done, as monkeys are not known for being neat and tidy! This helps to keep animals in good condition, and prevents infections.
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Administering Medications
For any animals receiving treatment for illness or wounds.
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Enrichment Projects
Animals in enclosures can suffer from stress and boredom, so volunteers are heavily involved with enrichment, such as cutting branches and making toys for the animals. Enrichment can also help with preparing animals with skills they may use in the wild when released. Any fresh ides you have for enrichment are always welcome. For permanent residents who cannot be released, volunteers themselves are often a great source of company and enrichment.
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General Maintenance
This can include improving or repairing enclosures, fixing fences, painting, alien tree removal, and raking.
BABY MONKEY SEASON
Baby monkey season is from November to March, and is an extremely busy time at Helping Hands. The babies come in helpless and often traumatized, and it is up to volunteers and staff to provide them with hands-on nurturing in the form of physical and emotional development.
The babies are supervised all day in the nursery, and volunteers sometimes also have to sleep with them at night. This experience may sound like it is about cuddling baby animals, but it is hard-work, not for the faint hearted, as the younger monkeys may need feeding as often as every two hours during the night. Although it is extremely hard work, there will be incredible life-changing experiences while working hands-on with infant primates.
While veterinary experience is not required, veterinary skills are very much appreciated, and veterinary nurses who love neonatal care are of a huge asset, and also love this part of the project.
Many of the animals have long rehabilitation periods, and can only be released when they are adults. It is important that these adults are given proper care and enrichment even when they are no longer 'cute' babies. Volunteers are encouraged to get involved in all life stages in the rehabilitation journey. The process for primates is very long, and at any one time Helping hands may have three troops going through the stages to be released.
WILL I REALLY BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE?
Absolutely, yes! By making the volunteer donation to attend the project, you have already made a huge difference. The volunteer programme funds most of the day to day expenses of the rehabilitation center. Feeding and caring for up to 100 animals is a costly exercise and volunteer payments make a huge difference, and enable the rehabilitation center to keep going.
Having so many animals means that staff are always snowed-under with work, and volunteer contributions towards helping out with the care if the animals also makes a huge impact, whether you are on the night shift with the babies, cleaning enclosures, preparing food, comforting new animals, or even helping with social media and fund-raising ideas. Without you they simply could not cope, and any new ideas you bring to the orphanage are greatly appreciated. You will quickly become part of the family, and impact greatly on the lives of the animals you donate your time to.
We hope you will get out of the experience as much as you put in, and that you will go home and spread the word about this wonderful project, and educate others on how amazing the misunderstood vervet monkeys are.
ACCOMMODATION
Food is provided for volunteers (three meals per day). Cooked by the chefs, the food is basic, but tasty, and fills you with energy for the day.
All meals are served in the restaurant dining area, or sitting outside in the sun.
Examples of typical meals:
Breakfast: A selection of cereal and muesli, milk, yogurt, fruits, toast with jam and honey, cheese, plus tea and coffee.
Lunch: Sandwiches, pasta, salads, burgers or soups.
Dinner: Spaghetti bolognese, macaroni and cheese, stir-frys, curries, bobotjie (traditional South African dish).
Volunteers often go for pizza at the nearby Ararat restaurant.
Volunteer accommodation is very comfortable, with volunteers staying in wooden chalets on site. The chalets are nestled between the trees, and feel very homey.
Each chalet has a veranda, and an en-suite bathroom with hot and cold running water and flushing toilets. Each unit also has a microwave, fridge and small coffee bar. All bed linen and towels are provided, as well as a cleaning service once a week.
The facilities at the lodge also include the dining area, lounge area, large swimming pool, plus an honesty bar and entertainment area with a pool table, dart board and huge TV.
Wi-fi is available in the restaurant, lounge area and bar. For digital nomads and students, there is also a computer or study room, where you can catch up on any work.
