| Predators Under Threat | | | | Shamwari Reserve is dedicated to wildlife |
| Former rulers of the land, African lions are now a | | | | conservation. The aim of the reserve's wildlife project |
| dwindling population. With a decrease in numbers by | | | | is to manage, develop and rehabilitate the |
| as much as 70% over the last decade, this predator | | | | environment, creating a sustainable ecosystem in |
| population is on a slippery slope towards eventual | | | | which both animal and plant life can flourish. To this |
| extinction. The total lion population for the entire | | | | end, the reserve has opened its doors to |
| African continent has dropped to 16,500 with the | | | | conservation volunteers, where you could spend |
| ever increasing human population resulting in fewer | | | | some time working with the lions themselves. |
| available habitat areas for big game, along with a | | | | Calling for Volunteers |
| decrease in animals for the lions to prey on. | | | | A different way to spend a month or two off work |
| Humans are also responsible for the number of lions | | | | is to travel to South Africa and work with lions. |
| lost as a result of trophy hunting. Each year, about | | | | Shamwari Reserve allows volunteers to come and |
| 600 adult lions are legally killed by hunters, a figure | | | | work with the rangers, ecologists, veterinarians and |
| demanding urgent attention. Lions now need | | | | zoologists to help preserve the endangered wildlife. |
| conservation volunteers to steer some energy in | | | | The conservation volunteers help with counting the |
| their direction, as their position on the African | | | | game, maintaining the reserve, monitoring the animals |
| continent becomes more fragile. | | | | and patrolling the fences. You really have the |
| Shamwari's Conservation Efforts | | | | opportunity to get involved with the running of the |
| Shamwari Game Reserve is situated just outside Port | | | | reserve, and to make a difference in preservation of |
| Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The | | | | the environment, as well to experience these |
| reserve is fortunate enough to play host to all the | | | | majestic creatures up close. |
| members of the Big 5 - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant | | | | Conservation Across the Continent |
| and buffalo. This is one of the few remaining places | | | | With conservation volunteers working hard across |
| where the animals can be viewed in their natural | | | | Africa, many projects have been put into action |
| environment. It's great for tourists too, because the | | | | already. The aim of conservationists is to cultivate lion |
| area is malaria free, so conservation volunteers and | | | | populations in protected environments, and work |
| holidaymakers can enjoy the environment in safety. | | | | towards preventing further damage caused by |
| The lions live as they would in the wild, where they | | | | humans to the already depleted lion populations. From |
| prey on smaller animals for food and have free run | | | | working with lions at the Shamwari Game Reserve, |
| of the reserve. Part of the job of running the | | | | to helping to fund this wildlife conservation cause, |
| reserve is ensuring that these predators have enough | | | | plans need to be made to prevent the lion population |
| game on which to feed, while still making it necessary | | | | from decreasing any further. |
| for them to hunt for their food. | | | | |