About The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre has established itself as one of the leading private research and breeding facilities for endangered species in the country. Governed by a progressive and modern management approach, it concerns itself with the breeding and maintenance of several endangered indigenous wildlife species in southern Africa. The centre places particular emphasis on the breeding and maintenance of cheetah in captivity. The excellent condition of these animals and the premises on which they are maintained, reflect the attention to detail, which is the hallmark of this facility.

About the Student Programme

The HESC offers persons the opportunity to experience, first hand, the work of the Centre, during an intensive, 21-day program.

The program is divided into 3 main sections: Participation, Conservation and Sight Seeing.

• Participation: The focus of the program is on the cheetah and during the course participants are involved with the everyday care of the cheetahs. This includes, cleaning, feeding, and where required, assisting with or observing any veterinary activities that may occur during their stay. The same activities apply to other species being cared for at the centre. The knowledge gained about the animals and work of the HESC through this kind of participation is both specific and personal.
• Conservation: This section of the program involves lectures on all major aspects of conservation and includes specialist input on all animals, grasses, trees and basic biodiversity.
• Sight Seeing: enables participants to put the theory learnt into practice; either through directed observation in the wild or at other centre’s that specialize in other areas of research or conservation.

During this time students may expect to see and be involved in some of the following

• Darting of wildlife and possible translocations.
• Tranquilization of a cheetah for health examinations and possibly sampling of blood and other tissues to check for various disease statuses.
• Tuberculosis testing in wildlife.
• Lectures of darting equipment, drugs and their safety.
• Oestrus manipulation
• Procedures requiring an external veterinary specialist
• Hand rearing (previously an elephant, white rhinos, zebra and many tiny creatures have been hand reared in the past).
• Wildlife casualties.
• Antelope culls.
• Post-mortems.
• Collection of samples for genetics, blood parasite studies and ticks.
• Work with exotic species such as frogs, snakes, birds and any cases that do happen to come into the centre.
• Work together with the curators and the animals.
• Oestrus manipulations largely based on the interactive involvement of participants, who in the process gain valuable knowledge of and experience in nature conservation.

The program is based at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species centre – home to cheetah, wild dogs, Black-Footed cats, lion, African wild cats, Ground Horn Bills, Sable antelope, etc. Participants will form part of the “hands-on” team which mediates the well-being of all animals at the centre.

Students will also have the opportunity to visit numerous places of interest and attractions in the area, including the renowned Kruger National Park. Included in the program is the unique and memorable experience of an elephant-back safari with the resident herd of Camp Jabulani (www.campjabulani.com) – the herd’s namesake also arrived at the Centre at the age of four months in a terrible state of dehydration and shock (he had been abandoned by his herd after getting stuck in a silt dam). It took a year to nurse him back to health under 24 hour dedicated care.

The program construes: Environment and conservation, Interactive involvement in the daily run of the centre and tours to renowned attractions in the area.

Duration of the Programme

3 weeks – A basic conservation course, consisting of a theoretical component, followed by active participation in practical exercises.

1 week program are available on request.  Please contact the coordinators for more information.

Aim of the Programme

To equip students with the aptitude to actively participate in conserving the wildlife of Southern Africa; to build awareness of conservation in a broader global scale; and to experience the beauty and rich diversity of South Africa.

Programme Facilitators

All have a contagious passion for conservation, and are dedicated to sharing their knowledge and expertise about the African Bush ”Veld” and its inhabitants.

Participants will be work side by side with full time personnel of the Centre (assisting with feeding and animal care).

Participant Requirements

• Must be eager to learn and to participate.
• Must be prepared to have some fun.
• Must have a desire to make a difference while gaining invaluable experience and knowledge.

Accommodation & Facilities

Students are accommodated in thatched huts (each can sleep 2 people) in Nungu Camp – situated within the boundaries of Kapama Private Game Reserve (Big 5). Separate facilities are available for male and female participants.

Accommodation is basic, however untarnished.

Three meals per day are prepared in the camp – a valuable team building experience. There is a kitchen with fridges in the camp, as well as barbeque facilities.

The closest town is Hoedspruit, which is approximately 25km from the reserve. Regular town trips can be organized for supplies, banking or internet facilities. Telephone facilities are available (at participants’ own expense). Pioneer hand wash laundry facilities are available in the camp. Sunday’s are “off” days, and are spent at leisure.

Adventurous activities are available in the area. Should volunteers decide to participate in such activities (such as hot air ballooning; paint ball war-games; river rafting in the Blyde River Canyon; horse rides) they can be arranged with the project leader at participants’ own expense.

Programme Deliverables

Hands on experience:

• Working with cheetah, wild dog, small spotted cats, African wildcats and more.
• Preparation of animal food and feeding the animals.
• Possibility of working with the wildlife vet (darting, capturing and operating on animals).
• Possibility of assisting in the hand-rearing of animals.
• Local community involvement (e.g. visiting schools in rural areas).

Informal lectures on a variety of topics, such as:

• Conservation
• Animal identification
• Plants and ecology
• Astronomy
• Survival
• Fire arm handling and safety
• Tracks and signs
• Reptiles
• Birds
• South African history and cultural diversity.
• Anti-Poaching

The lectures will be followed by practical exercises – for example:

• Trip to reptile park
• Identification of plants on walking excursions
• Tracking in the bush
• Trip to local tribal village
• A trip to Kruger National Park
• Stargazing
• Natural and traditional food preparation.
• Game drives

Other highlights may include:

• Bushwalk
• Bush sleep-out
• Elephant back safari

Wha to Pack

• Sun block
• Hat
• Insect Repellent
• Malaria tablets – consult your doctors
• Torch
• Sleeping Bag
• Walking boots
• Camera
• Books to read
• Laptop or any other – to keep busy afterwards

Community Work

As part of the Student’s Program, participants may get involved with less privileged communities. In a unique project, the HESC has partnered with the rural school of Paulo’s Ngobeni Primary School, located 25kms from the Centre.

Grade 4 learners will have the opportunity to visit the Centre to learn more about endangered wildlife, and the cheetah in particular. They will work closely with the Students as they go about their daily duties. The Grade 4 class of 105 learners will be split into groups and will visit the HESC throughout the year.

Students will also have the chance to assist the Primary School with much-needed equipment. Funds may be raised by visitors to the Centre, or interested parties.

The HESC welcomed the first wave of young learners on 28 July 2008.

Should you wish to leave your Footprint at the Paulo’s Ngobeni Primary School, you are more than welcome to bring an old pair of shoes, or see the wish list..

2011 Wish List for Paulo’s Ngobeni Primary School

• Tables
• Chairs
• Computers
• Direction Sign to our school
• Toys and Magazines
• Sewing Machine and Materials
• Admin buildings
• Media Centre
• Library Centre
• Laboratory
• Sports grounds

Gardening Utensils & Permaculture

• First aid kit items
• Furniture for educators
• School equipment
• Kitchen utensils
• Cleaning equipment
• Office Fan
• Sound System
• Video Camera

Any interested parties who may wish to make a contribution may contact us.

Where is HESC

The HESC is located in the Limpopo Province in Hoedspruit, South Africa.

Travel Options

By Road- the drive is approximately 4 ½ hours from Johannesburg and is on tarred main roads.