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Esteriliza Y Educa

Esteriliza Y Educa

We are a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based out of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. Esteriliza y Educa A.C. focuses on improving the quality of life of both dogs and cats in the city and neighbouring towns. The overpopulation of canines and felines causes diseases to run rampant and to be transferred not only among animals, but also to the people. It is become an enormous social and economic issue and the only true solutions are spaying and neutering as well as educating locals on proper animal care.

Puerto Escondido is a paradise known internationally for it’s nature and beauty. However, it is also a town with many shortcomings. With close to 50,000 in human population, it also is the home to approximately 18,000 dogs and 14,000 cats. Nearly all of these animals roam the streets, homeless, reproducing freely and scrounging for food wherever available. These animals are neglected and become sick, malnourished, abused are often found injured or accidently hit by cars. As a result of the poverty of the area, properly taking care of animals is not often the first priority and gets thrown on the backburner. That’s where we come in! We show people how easy it is, and how rewarding it can be to take proper care of animals. We sterilize them as to prevent further overpopulation and spread of illness and disease. The outcome is amazing and there’s been so many lives improved and saved by our work.

 

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Red Hot Chili Peppers to Headline Ocean Conservation Fundraiser

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are doing their part to help save the oceans from pollution by performing at an intimate benefit where proceeds will go towards sea conservation.

By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist

OCEANA, the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation, announced that legendary rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline their fourth annual “Rock Under The Stars” celebration, which is taking place October 12th at a private residence in Los Angeles. Funds raised will  “help rebuild abundant and biodiverse oceans,” according to OCEANA.

“Sting heroically helped us launch Rock Under the Stars in 2016. In the following years, Don Henley and Dead & Co. featuring John Mayer helped us make it one of LA’s most exciting and elite fundraisers,” said OCEANA Board President Keith Addis. “This year, with the generous support of the amazing Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rock Under the Stars is firmly established as a world-class event which will help OCEANA fund its mission to stop the scourge of ocean plastic pollution.”

Last year’s Rock Under The Stars raised over $1.1M and featured the first performance ever by Dead & Co. for a non-profit fundraiser.

Tickets for the 2019 event are available now. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Harvin@5Bevents.com.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers–Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith, and Josh Klinghoffer, have sold more than  60 million albums, including five multi-platinum LPs, and won six Grammy Awards. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2012 and their last studio album, The Getaway, was released in 2016.

About Oceana

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 200 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that one billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.oceana.org to learn more.

Thomas Cook Tour Company Folds Leaving Passengers Stranded

“Thomas Cook has confirmed that all the companies in its group have ceased trading, including Thomas Cook Airlines,” according to their official website.

Heather Newgen Profile PhotoBy: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist

Thomas Cook, the 178-year-old British tour operator, abruptly closed its doors on Sunday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

Peter Fankhauser, the CEO of Thomas Cook, said in a statement that the company’s demise was “a matter of profound regret.”

“I would like to apologise to our millions of customers, and thousands of employees, suppliers and partners who have supported us for many years. Despite huge uncertainty over recent weeks, our teams continued to put customers first, showing why Thomas Cook is one of the best-loved brands in travel,”he said.

The travel company, which employs 22,000 people worldwide, has been plagued with financial problems for years.

“The troubled operator hoped to seal a rescue led by China’s Fosun this week. But the creditor banks issued a last-minute demand that the travel company find an extra £200m,”the BBC reports.

Thomas Cook on repatriation flights

“Repatriation: The UK government and Civil Aviation Authority are working to bring all the stranded passengers back to the UK — even if they’re not UK citizens. However, these repatriation flights will only operate until October 6 — after then, travelers will need to book their own flights home.

Not all travelers protected: The repatriation flights are only available for travelers whose trips originated in the UK. Passengers in some locations will have to book their own flights home.

Holidays canceled: All Thomas Cook trips and flights have been canceled, and travelers who have not yet left for their holidays should not go to the airport. If your trip had ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) protection, you can make a claim for a refund — otherwise, you can try to make a claim from your travel insurer, credit card insurer, or bank.”

Click here to read more of the statement.

More Information for Thomas Cook Passengers

The UK authorities have stepped in to ensure travelers return home safely.

According to a recent statement, the “UK Civil Aviation Authority launches flying programme to bring home Thomas Cook customers. Thomas Cook has ceased trading so all Thomas Cook flights are now cancelled Customers in the UK yet to travel must not go to the airport UK Civil Aviation Authority to launch biggest ever peacetime repatriation Customers currently overseas should check thomascook.caa.co.uk for advice and only go to the airport once they have an alternative flight confirmed 24-hour helpline: 0300 303 2800 from the UK and Ireland and +44 1753 330 330 from overseas.”

Furthermore the statement read “Thomas Cook customers in the UK yet to travel should not go to the airport as all flights leaving the UK have been cancelled. ATOL Protected passengers with future bookings are entitled to a full refund for their cancelled holiday. Passengers currently overseas may also make claims for the cost of replacing ATOL protected parts of their trip, or for out of pocket expenses as a result of delayed flights home. The Civil Aviation Authority will be launching a service to manage all refunds by Monday 30 September, once the flying operation has progressed. This refunds service will seek to process all refunds within 60 days of full information being received.”

For more details click here.

“We’ve charted over 40 planes and we’re going to be running up to 1,000 flights in the next two weeks. It’s hugely challenging but we’ve given that commitment that we’re going to bring people home,”Tim Johnson, policy director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority told CNN. . The first repatriation plane will leave from New York’s JFK Airport back to Manchester Airport in England.

If you’re not flying back to the UK: The repatriation planes are only for about 160,000 passengers whose trips end in the UK — there are hundreds of thousands more who are stranded, with return flights going elsewhere.

“Each country has a slightly different approach to these situations,”said Johnson. “It will be for the authorities in those other countries, whether that’s Germany or Scandinavia, to make the arrangements for other passengers in those other countries.”

What Went Wrong

Thomas Cook has faced massive competition from budget airlines and online travel agents. In addition, the company has blamed several reasons for its financial problems including “political unrest in holiday destinations such as Turkey, last summer’s prolonged heatwave and customers delaying booking holidays because of Brexit,”the BBC reports.

However Richard Branson believes the collapse of Thomas Cook is because of the drop in the British pound.

“It’s upsetting to see so many people lose their jobs and thousands of holidaymakers affected by disrupted travel,” Branson wrote on Virgin’s site. “The drop in the pound following the referendum has put even more pressure on the struggling business, which has been saddled with large debt for a number of years. All of the travel industry costs are in dollars – for example fuel maintenance and airplane leasing. With the weaker pound, the cost of everything has skyrocketed. For Thomas Cook, this has proved terminal.”He said the tour operator “was the pioneer of organized travel and has been such a strong force in the travel industry,”adding that Virgin Atlantic “are doing all they can to find people jobs and bring stranded people home.”

British Plumber Charges Elderly Customers $0 for his Services

British plumber James Anderson and his acts of kindness are being recognized worldwide after he helped a 91-year-old woman with leukaemia.

Heather Newgen Profile PhotoBy: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist

James Anderson is being applauded for his good will and heart of gold after he billed his customer $0 for replacing her boiler. The invoice, which was initially shared on Facebook by Christine Rowlands, the woman’s daughter, read ‘No charge for this lady under any circumstances. We will be available 24 hours to help her and keep her as comfortable as possible.’

“I do it because I care and they all deserve the respect and love for the world they have built for us all to enjoy. No person who is elderly or disabled should be allowed to suffer or die in a world that is so rich and advanced, they will not and should not,” Anderson exclusively told The Voluntourist in an email interview.

But this isn’t the first time he’s helped others. When he got a call from a customer who had been swindled from another plumber, he jumped into action. He created his own company to assist as many people as possible for free.

“Depher started in 2017 when an elderly gentleman was nearly scammed out of £5,500 pounds for a boiler he did not need. He rang Northern Plumbing and Heating Ltd (me) for a second opinion. I found what the other engineer had done and dealt with it fast, got the boiler working again and [I got] the company to compensate the elderly gentleman,”he revealed.

British plumber James Anderson

Since starting Depher, Anderson has helped 2389 elderly and disabled people in the community, but at a cost. He’s racked up about £8,000 in personal debt from not charging his customers, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

“If I go without or owe to keep a person from suffering or dying then it is a price I will gladly pay a thousand times. They suffer in silence but I am the voice that will shout for them all, and I hope I am heard. Love may move your heart but humanity can move the mountain.”

Depher relies on donations and crowdfunding and previously received £2,000 from the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, the Queen’s charity, but always needs more so Anderson can continue to help those who need it.

How KAABOO Gives Back to the Local Community

KAABOO not only puts on an unforgettable festival that includes A-list musicians, comedians, gourmet cuisine, and inspiring art, but also gives back locally with their kindness program.

By: Heather Newgen

There’s no shortage of music festivals and one getting a lot of well deserved attention is KAABOO. The three day event is filled with chart topping artists like Dave Matthews Band, Mumford and Sons, Sheryl Crow and many others, as well as local musicians, comedians like Bob Saget and Tom Green, and a variety of high-end food. What sets KAABOO apart from the countless other festivals is that it’s more of an experience that’s designed to provides guests with comfortable amenities to enjoy quality entertainment.

Photo Courtesy of KAABOO Instagram

And for the last fives years the festival has succeeded in catering to music lovers with upscale experiences while also giving back to the local community with their kindness program that supports organizations such as San Diego Armed Services YMCA, PangeaSeed Foundation, and Voices for Children, as well as the Recording Academy’s MusiCares program. One dollar from each pass sold is donated to KAABOO’s charitable partners.

The event redefines the live music experience and delivers a laid back SoCal vibe merged with an energetic concert atmosphere with personal indulgences and unique activities like silent discos, amazing art and vintage clothes shopping, massages, private restroom, lounges, bars and a pool with certain VIP packages, as well as a speakeasy and there’s even a booth to get makeup touchups and hair braided.

KAABOO has been such a hit that the festival is now upgrading to a larger space with a new name–KAABOO San Diego. The event is leaving Del Mar and heading to its new home at PetCo Park in downtown San Diego. While a lineup won’t be announced for awhile dates for the sixth annual event will be September 18th-20th 2020.

“As the KAABOO brand and our live event properties continue to grow and evolve, it’s imperative that we continue to deliver an unparalleled experience for our guests by holding KAABOO in a world-class venue with exceptional room for growth,” Jason Felts, managing partner of KAABOO, said in a statement. “The location of Petco Park and its surrounding venues in downtown San Diego provides fans and artists alike the opportunity to enjoy everything that the vibrant metro area has to offer. We couldn’t be more ecstatic about this partnership and our relocation.”

“As part of the continued expansion of our concert and events lineup, we are extremely excited to welcome one of the largest and most successful festival experiences in the country, KAABOO San Diego, to Petco Park,” said Erik Greupner, Padres president of business operations. “Our venue and the downtown Ballpark District offer the perfect setting for an event of this magnitude and further establishes Petco Park as the premier entertainment destination in Southern California.  We look forward to hosting an unforgettable and amazing weekend in the heart of downtown.”

For more information visit https://www.kaaboodelmar.com/

Project Angel Food Honors Jamie Lee Curtis

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 14: (L-R) Eric McCormack and Jamie Lee Curtis attend Project Angel Food’s 29th Annual Angel Awards on September 14, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Project Angel Food)

Hollywood icon Jamie Lee Curtis was honored at the 30th Anniversary of Project Angel Food, an organization Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson founded.

By: Heather Newgen

For the last two decades Jamie Lee Curtis has volunteered at Project Angel Food, an organization that was created in response to the AIDS epidemic. The non-profit prepares and delivers healthy meals to people battling serious illnesses. Volunteers are heavily relied on to help with the 12,000 meals per week Project Angel Food makes for people in need and Curtis gave them all a shoutout in her speech.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 14: (L-R) Project Angel Food Founder Marianne Williamson and Jamie Lee Curtis attend Project Angel Food’s 29th Annual Angel Awards on September 14, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Project Angel Food)

“Every person in a blue shirt I want you to come close [to the stage]. We are here because of you. Simply that. There is no other reason we are here than the effort that you have put forth. This has nothing to do with me. This has everything to do with you and it has everything to do with Marianne Williamson.”

The “Halloween” star also talked about what Project Angel Food means to her.

“It brings us into alignment with what is greater than ourselves and so as I said, everybody is touched by the first contact that you have with somebody with HIV or Aids, and in my case it was my sweet, fucking talented friend, gorgeous man Richard Frank, an actor on a TV series that I did. Beautiful man married to a gorgeous guy and Rick Frank, you know, was my heart, my soul. I loved him, he loved my daughter and you know, he got sick and when I came here when I knew I was going to come here tonight. So, Rick was an artist and the thing that was so incredibly cruel about the AIDS crisis is that it attacked young, creative people. The amount of creativity and art that was affected by this horrible disease was astonishing and he was an artist and a great man and a great actor,” she revealed.

Williamson also reflected on the AIDS crisis.

“This city it’s much like what the country is going through today. This city was brash and young, and once AIDS arrived, there was a level of brashness that would never be the same again, a level of innocence that would never be the same again. But what I believe this country will experience is what Los Angeles and other cities such as this experience during the AIDS crisis. You can go through a crisis, and if we love each other enough as we move through it, do right by each other and never look away from human suffering, and always show up for the human sufferer, we will transform this crisis, we will get better,” the presidential hopeful told the crowd.

She continued, “These days Project Angel Food provides meals to homebound Angelenos suffering from a variety of life-threatening illnesses but originally it catered to people with AIDS. When this organization was founded, it was a time of such despair — there was such hopelessness. Such devastation.”

Other celebrity supporters of Project Angel Food who couldn’t be there in person, but sent their regards in a video included Whoopi Goldberg and Judith Light, who has been on the board since 1989 and narrates the short film.

“We were together in our youth,” Goldberg said on video. “I thought you were the greatest organization on the planet. And I still do because you have all these folks who in their hearts know the right thing to do. And you encourage people to do kind and wonderful things and to look out for each other.”

Philanthropists and skincare creationists of Retrouve and Kiehl’s Since 1851, Jami Morse Heidegger and Klaus Heidegger were also honored with the Project Angel Food Leadership Award. In addition, the evening included performances by Mary Wilson, of The Supremes and Maelyn Jarmon, Season 16 winner of The Voice. California legend Danny Trejo catered the event.

Volunteers are always needed at Project Angel Food. For more information please visit : https://www.angelfood.org/

L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand Raised $1.2 Million and Celebrates 10 Years

Liz Scott, Molly McNearney, Jay Scott and Jimmy Kimmel attend L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade pediatric cancer food and wine fundraiser at UCLA Royce Plaza in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, September 14, 2019 (photo: Benjamin Shmikler/ABImages)

Kids have been setting up lemonade stands on street corners for generations, but L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand gives special meaning to the longstanding American tradition.

By Heather Newgen

It’s common to see kids with homemade signs and a fresh batch on lemonade in their neighborhood, but it’s not so common to see a 4-year-old selling lemonade to help kids with cancer, which is what Alexandra Scott did. Alex was was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a very rare form of pediatric cancer the week of her 1st birthday. As she got older and learned of her condition, she wanted to do something to find a cure and to help those who couldn’t get the care they so needed and deserved. So at just four-years-old she set up a lemonade stand in her front yard, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and raised thousands for cancer research in just one day.

Jimmy Kimmel arrives at L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade pediatric cancer food and wine fundraiser at UCLA Royce Plaza in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, September 14, 2019
(photo: Cody Rappaport/ABImages)

From there her operation grew as others heard about Alex’s Lemonade stand and became inspired to help. People opened their own stands and donated to her cause.  Alex’s battle with cancer ended in 2004 when she was just eight. Before her untimely death, Alex raised $1 million for other sick kids all just by selling lemonade. After her passing, her parents Jay and Liz Scott took things into their own hands and officially launched ALSF, or the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, in her honor, which has now raised over $150 million to date.

RELATED: Usher Syndrome can’t Rob Rebecca Alexander of her Inspiring Spirit 

Celebrities gather for the L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand annual fundraiser to not only remember Alex, but celebrate what a lemonade stand meant to her.

“It’s a near perfect day. There’s so much love and generosity in the air. It’s only missing one thing and that’s Alex, her father Jay said addressing the star-studded LA crowd.

This year Jimmy Kimmel, who has been a longtime supporter of L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand, was joined by “Big Little Lies” star Laura Dern, Joe Mantegna, Timothy Olyphant, Nolan Gould, Camilla Belle and Kirsten Vangsness to help raise over $1.2 million to fight childhood cancer with auction items like an intimate dry-aged beef dinner for 30 by chef Adam Perry Lang in Kimmel’s barn.

Laura Dern and Jaya Harper arrive at L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade pediatric cancer food and wine fundraiser at UCLA Royce Plaza in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, September 14, 2019
(photo: Cody Rappaport/ABImages)

“Every year they raise millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research [and there] has been a ton of new breakthroughs because of their funding. And it helps keep the vision of this young girl, Alex, who unfortunately passed away, because pediatric cancer helps keep her memory alive,” Gould told The Voluntourist.

He added, “I think when I first got involved, I was a kid myself. I think I came to this event for the first time when I was like 11 years old. It’s a heartbreaking thing when ever a kid is sick. But the fact that she was so like brave in the face of all that and wasn’t just thinking about herself, but was thinking about, you know, the kids that would come after her, started this lemonade stand to help raise money. That’s just something that’s so inspiring, especially as a young person who feels like sometimes we get left out and a lot of people look out for us, seeing that an organization started by another young person, like I just had to be involved.”

Also hand on were dozens notable chefs like Chris Bianco, Donald Link, Nancy Oakes, Nancy Silverton, Steve Samson, Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo, Rocco Whalen and Marc Vetri who came together to whip up their famous dishes that make the event a foodie’s dream.

“I do my signature beef short ribs sliced and I do it every year. It’s the crowd favorite,” Adam Perry Lang from the popular Hollywood eatery APL said. “It’s my favorite event of the year and quite honestly, it’s a combination of doing great things for great people, great people, as well as getting to spend some time with some of my closest chef friends in the world,” he continued.

Pizza Master Chris Bianco from Pizzera Bianco revealed how he’s been supporting Alex’s Lemonade since the beginning.

Pizza being prepped at L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand pediatric cancer food and wine fundraiser at UCLA Royce Plaza in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, September 14, 2019
(photo: Cody Rappaport/ABImages)

“The first one that he did was back in Philly back in the day, I don’t even know 17 years ago, maybe and then and then since you started here 10 years ago, and what inspires you to do it is like, who could say no to this? How do you especially when you meet, you know, Liz & Jay and Alex’s family. And you realize, in any situation, it’s always thoughts and prayers and whatever. But if you don’t do anything, you know, hopefully you just praying for the strength to do something, you know, to like, do whatever it is given whatever it is, no matter how minimum It can be as you can. And so for us, We cook food so we give it and we get a lot more back. So it’s, you know, it’s an incredible community to be part of.

Jon Shook from Jon & Vinny’s also talked about why he loves the organization and how he chose the dish he prepared for guests.

[I’m] “Doing a pasta salad today mostly because we’re sharing a booth with Chris (Bianco). Chris sent us what he was going to make with lemon, red onion, goat cheese — and the combination of the two are great so we tried to kind of team up so it’s like a peas and carrots kinda vibe. We’ve been doing Alex’s Lemonade for 10 years. When we first heard about it, it just seemed like a no brainer — Kids, cancer, Alex, so everything that it was about just makes sense for us all.”

Guests also experienced wine tasting from over 50 vintners and the cocktail artistry of major mixologists, including Eric Alperin (The Varnish) and Christiaan Röllich (The Lucques Group), among others, who will craft signature drinks for attendees.

For more information on L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand please visit https://www.alexslemonade.org/.

How the Mobile App SkyHi is Changing Travel

SkyHi is a new mobile app that simplifies booking a flight for a low fixed price.

By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist

Looking to access cheap airfare without spending hours looking for the best deal? SkyHi might be your answer. For $199 a month, members can book up a five flights a month, but no more than 10 days before the departure date. However there’s a catch: There are no round trip tickets and for a reason, which you can read below.  And flights up to 1000 miles will cost you an additional $35; 1000 to 2000 miles is $75; and 2000 to 3000 miles will be an extra $120 on top of the monthly $199.00 fee. Currently there are 73 departure cities and 2,652 routes in North America and Europe. If you want to cancel and rejoin, no problem. You can do so for $99.00. You can also freeze your account while you’re not using it, but you’ll still pay $35.00 a month.

Co-founder Rama Poola further explains how SkyHi works and what the advantages are for travelers.

SkyHi Skyhy Co-Founder Rama Poola

The Voluntourist: I’ve been doing a lot of research on SkyHi and I think it’s a great idea. My biggest takeaway was that you were kind of stuck in this 9 to 5 job and that wasn’t where you really wanted to be, so you came up with the concept for SkyHi that really allows people like yourself to have this nomadic lifestyle. Why is that important to you to be able to allow others to have that?

Rama Poola: Great question. I think everyone needs to experience new places all the time. For years I had vacation time and I planned these trips I went on. To me a trip is a lifestyle capital where I can be in Chicago or Miami and experience new people and new cultures and get reinvigorated about whether I’m doing work or whether I’m pursuing creative outlets. I just think the world needs to be more fluid. That’s where I think people need to have those experiences constantly in order to grow and maybe that because I have those all the time and I grow because of it and I want people to have that.

The Voluntourist: From what I understand about SkyHi, round-trip tickets are not offered. Can you explain why not?

Poola: Yes, so they are only one-way tickets and you can claim five tickets a month. We wanted to make sure people aren’t thinking about things as much because there is excitement in the fact that you can go somewhere, spend time there, and not feel confined if you have a ticket going back in two days…If they are out there, then they can make a choice if they want to stay a couple days or maybe go elsewhere. I feel like more people have the flexibility to do that now. I want people to feel that the travel is going to change them. It is our biggest challenge right now, potentially reeducating people to feel and believe that travel can be this easy and this will improve their lives.

The Voluntourist: Break it down for me a little bit. It is $199 a month and then during that month you can get up to 5 one-way tickets to go 1,500 miles between each city.

Poola: Correct. It is 1,500 miles. From LA, you can get to Vancouver, Denver, Salt Lake City, Austin, Dallas, about half way across the country.

The Voluntourist: Do you plan on expanding that?

Poola: We are thinking about different pricing tiers for different mileage radius; at some point a 3,000-mile radius to get people across the country, but it will cost them more.

The Voluntourist: A couple things that could be potential challenges for SkyHi are that you cannot book two one-way tickets at the same time, so you have to go on your current flight and then you can book immediately after you land. Is that correct?

Poola: Correct. As soon as the flight lands, you can book another ticket. That could cause some anxiety for some, but for others, it is kind of exciting. You open up the app and you can see any flight that we can put you on in the upcoming ten days. It is possible that there may not be one out the next day, but there will likely be one two days after. People that have used it are less anxious about it because they usually find their flight home if they need to go home. If not, they just stay an extra day or two. You can also switch your location in the app before you book that first flight to see what flights are coming back.

The Voluntourist: Why did you decide to set it up this way where you can book two one-way tickets at the same time?

Poola: It breaks people’s habit of thinking about round trips. We don’t want people to make their decisions until they’ve landed.

The Voluntourist: When you are talking to people and asking them if they can work anywhere, how are they are able to have such flexibility in their schedule?

Poola: A lot of them are freelancers. I worked for a tech company for many years and for a lot of the tech companies now, it doesn’t matter if you work from home or from a café.

The Voluntourist: A lot of people don’t have that mindset, so are you hoping something like this can change that?

Poola: Yes, I do hope it will change it and I do hope it will have people ask for what they or need out of their jobs. I do hope that this empowers people to ask for more flexibility.

The Voluntourist: Who is SkyHi for? Who are you trying to target?

Poola: People that really just want to have experiences, for people that want to live free lives, and for people that have flexible jobs. We have had small business owners who are getting value out of this. You can meet a client face to face as opposed to a video call. That changes your business.

The Voluntourist: What has the feedback been from those who have used SkyHi?

Poola: The one-click booking experience is game changing for many of them. That saves people a lot of time.

The Voluntourist: I like the set pricing aspect of it because I’m always online searching for the cheapest flight possible and this saves so much time. People can use their frequent flyer miles because it is most airlines that are participating, right?

Poola: Correct, I know some airlines don’t honor miles if you book on a third party, but most will do it for you.

The Voluntourist: You said you came up with the idea on a flight, what sparked the idea?

Poola: I was in Berlin getting ready to fly back to New York. I was at the airport and there were backpackers waiting around for a ticket, they didn’t have a ticket to anywhere, waiting for something to fall under 50 euros. They ended up getting a plane to Lisbon. I got on my plane back home and it was pretty empty. I thought to myself, would they have paid $100 to New York City and would that have helped this airplane be more full, and in turn, help the airline? It was on that airplane that drew out SkiHi.

The Voluntourist: Can anyone become a SkyHi member as long as they can pay the $199?

Poola: Currently, it is invite only.

The Voluntourist: Why did you decide on invite-only for now?

Poola: We wanted to make sure we were enabling the right people to travel. We actually have one -on- one conversations with customers. We also wanted to make sure we serviced the cities that people are living in. We don’t want people to get stuck.

For more information visit www.flyskyhi.com

 

Ethical Animal Sanctuaries in Africa to Volunteer at and Ones to Avoid

Volunteering at animal sanctuaries is an extremely popular voluntourism activity, but how many of them are actually ethical? Not as many as we would hope, but the Facebook group Volunteers in Africa Beware serves as a watchdog for irresponsible sanctuary behavior and works to identify ethical animal sanctuaries. They are dedicated to vetting organizations and sharing valuable information with volunteers who want to find legitimate, and good programs to volunteer at. The page is incredibly helpful and it has a post titled “The Good, Bad and Ugly Lists for Volunteering Places in Africa”. They keep this post updated and it lists ethical animal sanctuaries in Africa to volunteer at, ones to stay away from, and others to always and completely avoid. Below is their most recent list:

ETHICAL ANIMAL SANCTUARIES

SOUTH AFRICA Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• LionsRock – www.lionsrock.org | Big Cat Sanctuary (owned by Four Paws) Forever home for rescued big cats. Highly recommended http://underanafricansun.com/…/our-visit-to-lionsrock-big-…/ | (S.AFRICA)

• Drakenstein Lion Park – www.lionrescue.org.za | Lion and Chimp Sanctuaries. TRUE sanctuary, reasonable price. | (S.AFRICA)

• Panthera Africa – www.pantheraafrica.co.za | Sanctuary for captive bred big cats | (S.AFRICA)

• Global White Lion Trust – www.whitelions.org | Timbvati White Lion Conservation project | (S.AFRICA)

• Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary – www.jukani.co.za | Mammals including big cats and Reptiles Sanctuary | (S.AFRICA)

• Wild Cats World – www.wildcatsworld.org | Big and Small Cat Awareness, Conservation and Sanctuary. | (S.AFRICA)

• The Rhino Orphanage – www.therhinoorphanage.co.za | Rehabilitation and release of orphaned and injured rhinos | (S.AFRICA)

• Vervet Monkey Foundation – www.vervet.za.org | Monkey and Primate Conservation, Rehabilitation and Sanctuary. Highly recommended| (S.AFRICA)

• Monkeyland & Birds of Eden – www.monkeyland.co.zawww.birdsofeden.co.za | Monkey and Birds Sanctuary | (S.AFRICA)

• C.A.R.E. Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education – www.primatecare.org.za | Primate Sanctuary, Rehabilitation and Education (S.AFRICA)

• Bambelela – www.bambelela.org.za | Primates (mainly vervet monkeys) Sanctuary and Rehabilitation project | (S.AFRICA) Offering free room and board to qualified vet students / vet nurse willing to help or 6/12 months.

• Jane Goodall Institute’s Chimp Eden – www.janegoodall.co.za(www.chimpeden.com) | Chimpanzee Sanctuary | (S.AFRICA) On Hold

• Brackenburn C.R.E.W. – www.brackenburncrew.org.za | Conservation, Rehabilitation and Education, all kinds of Wildlife | (S.AFRICA)

• C.R.O.W. Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife – www.crowkzn.co.za | Durban’s only registered wildlife rehabilitation centre dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of all indigenous wildlife found in KwaZulu-Natal l (S.AFRICA)

• FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation KZN – www.freemekzn.co.za | Care and rehabilitation of injured and sick wildlife l (S.AFRICA)

• Karoo Wildlife Centre – www.cannedlion.org/wildlife-rescue.html | Wildlife advocacy course for Volunteers | (S.AFRICA)

• African Insight Academy – www.africaninsight.co.za | selection of research and monitoring projects, potential to participate in management activities such as game capture, game introductions and priority species monitoring like leopard and black rhino | (S.AFRICA)

• WildlifeAct – www.wildlifeact.com l Real Wildlife Conservation, their work focuses on endangered and priority species including the African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Rhino, Lion, Elephant, Leopard and Vulture. l (S.AFRICA)

• Siyafunda Wildlife and Conservation – www.siyafundaconservation.com| Big Five and more wildlife Conservation on the Makalali Reserve | (S.AFRICA)

• Campfire Academy – https://campfireacademy.co.za/… | Mammals, Birds, Reptiles Conservation; internship available . Field Guide Courses| (S.AFRICA)
• Ingwe Leopard Research – www.ontracksafaris.co.uk | Leopard Conservation and Research | (S.AFRICA)

• Kariega Game Reserve – www.kariega.co.za | Big Five Conservation; Highly recommended volunteer experience | (S.AFRICA)

• Shamwari Game Reserve – www.shamwariconservationexperience.com | Big Five Conservation and host to the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary; outstanding volunteer experience; one of very few reserves in SA where hunting doesn’t take place; excess lions/rhinos are being traded/ sold | (S.AFRICA)

RELATED: Animal Abuse at ElephantsWorld in Thailand. Don’t Volunteer Here!

• Amakhala Game Reserve – www.amakhala.co.za | Big Five and more wildlife Conservation | (S.AFRICA)
• Mankwe Wildlife Reserve – www.mankwewildlifereserve.com/nkombi-volunteers.html | Wildlife Conservation and Research, recommended for students studying conservation| (S.AFRICA)

• Transfrontier Africa – www.transfrontierafrica.org | Elephant & Rhino/Big Five Conservation; Highly recommended volunteer project on the Balule Nature Reserve, next to the Kruger (hunting the Big Five in this reserve, after the fence with the Kruger was removed, was curtailed but still takes place, seems to have increased in the last year. Recent scandal involving an elephant hunt. The project is not connected to hunting.) | (S.AFRICA)

• The Leopard and Predator Project – www.landmarkfoundation.org.za/volunteer/ | Field data collection, research analyses, environmental education, marketing development, and general conservation work such as fence patrols and erosion control, recommended for students working on their BS/MS thesis | (S.AFRICA)

• Nkonzo Bush Academy – www.wildlife-research.com l Wildlife Research, Field Guiding Training, Dangerous Game Training l (S.AFRICA)

• The Eco camp at Gondwana Game Reserve – www.gondwanagr.co.za/eco-camp/ | (S.AFRICA)

• Indlovu West Conservation Research – www.indlovuwest.com | Big Five Conservation, Elephant management project | (S.AFRICA)

• Samara Wildlife Volunteer Programme – www.samara.co.za | Mammals, Birds and more wildlife Conservation, Rehabilitation and Research | (S.AFRICA)

• Askari Wilderness Conservation – www.askariwcp.com | Big Five and more wildlife Conservation and Research | (S.AFRICA)

• LEO Africa – www.leoafrica.org | Big Five and more Wildlife Conservation and Management on the Marataba Section of the Marakele National Park | (S.AFRICA)

• Kaapsehoop Horse Trails – www.horsebacktrails.co.za | Equine project | (S.AFRICA)

• African Dream Horse Safari – www.africandreamhorsesafari.co.za | Equine project | (S.AFRICA)

• Khamai Reptile Centre – www.khamai.co.za | Reptile Conservation, Education and Research | (S.AFRICA)

• IAPF Green Army – www.iapf.org | International Anti-poaching Foundation | (S.AFRICA)

• Daktari Bush School – www.daktaribushschool.org | Children and Wildlife Education, Conservation and Rehabilitation (S.AFRICA)

• Orca Foundation – www.orcafoundation.com | Whales, Dolphins, Sharks, Marine Conservation | (S.AFRICA)

• SANCCOB Conservation of Coastal Birds – www.sanccob.co.za | Penguins and other seabirds Rehabilitation and Marine Conservation | (S.AFRICA)

• International Marine Volunteers – www.marinevolunteers.com | Sharks, Penguins, Marine Conservation | (S.AFRICA)

• NVT – Nature’s Valley Trust – www.naturesvalleytrust.co.za | Conservation, Education, Community and Research, all kinds of Wildlife | (S.AFRICA)

• TEARS Animal Rescue – www.tears.org.za | Animal rescue, veterinary services, rehabilitation and rehoming of rescued domestic animals (no wildlife but badly in need of volunteers). | (S.AFRICA)

• Dogtown – www.barkingmad.co.za/about-dogtown-sa | Animal rescue, veterinary services, rehabilitation and rehoming of rescued domestic animals (no wildlife but badly in need of volunteers). | (S.AFRICA)

BOTSWANA Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• Motse Eco-volunteers – www.motsebotswana.org | Serious conservation project on the Limpopo-lipadireserve, volunteers will help return previously farmed and hunted land into a wild natural area | (BOTSWANA)

• Legodimo Wilderness – www.legodimo-wilderness.tumblr.com | Nature conservation, environmental and social education (BOTSWANA)

• Cheetah Conservation Botswana – www.cheetahbotswana.com | Cheeetah Conservation, Research and Education (BOTSWANA)

• Khama Rhino Sanctuary – www.khamarhinosanctuary.org.bw | Sanctuary for Rhinos and a variety of wildlife | (BOTSWANA)

• Maun Animal Welfare Society – www.maunanimalwelfare.com | Protecting Botswana’s Wildlife through domestic animal care; Veterinary placements | (BOTSWANA)

• Tuli Wilderness – www.tuliwilderness.com | (BOTSWANA) Closed down

CAMEROON Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• IDA Africa – In Defense of Animals – www.ida-africa.org | Primate conservation, long term volunteering | (CAMEROON)

• Limbe Wildlife Centre – www.limbewildlife.org | Primate Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release project | Highly recommended (CAMEROON)

• Ape Action – www.apeactionafrica.org | Primate Conservation and Rehabilitation | (CAMEROON)

• Cross River Gorilla – www.crossrivergorilla.org | Primate Conservation | (CAMEROON)

CAPE VERDE Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• Turtle Foundation – www.turtle-foundation.org | Turtle Conservation | (CAPE VERDE)

GUINEA Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• Projet Primates – www.projetprimates.com | Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Rehabilitation project | (GUINEA)

KENYA Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• Giraffe Research & Conservation Trust (GRCT) – www.giraffetrust.org | Giraffe Research, Education and Conservation | (KENYA)

• Masai Mara Conservation – www.maasaimara.com/entr…/volunteer-work-big-cat-conservation | Wildlife and landscape Protection and Conservation | (KENYA)

• Colobus Conservation – www.colobusconservation.org | Primate (mainly Colobus monkeys, Vervets and Sykes and occasionally baboons) Conservation, preservation and protection | (KENYA)

• Local Ocean Trust – www.watamuturtles.com | Turtle Conservation | (KENYA)

• Ol Pejeta Conservancy – www.olpejetaconservancy.org | Sweetwaters Chimpanzee sanctuary, Rhinos and other Wildlife Conservation | (KENYA)

MADAGASCAR Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• SEED Madagascar – www.madagascar.co.uk | Conservation of the greatly endangered wildlife and forest environments in south east Madagascar | (MADAGASCAR)

• Madagascar – www.madagascarvolunteer.com | Research and Conservation Institute, all kinds of Wildlife | (MADAGASCAR)

MALAWI Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• Lilongwe Wildlife Centre – www.lilongwewildlife.org | Wildlife rescue, Conservation and Education centre; Sanctuary for rescued, orphaned and injured wild animals. | (MALAWI)

• Carnivore Research Malawi – www.carnivoreresearchmalawi.org | Carnivores Research, Conservation and Education | (MALAWI)

• African Bat Conservation – www.africanbatconservation.org | Conserving Bats and biodiversity through Research and Education | (MALAWI)

• WAG – Wildlife Action Group – www.wag-malawi.org | Forest and Wildlife Conservation, Protection and Education | (MALAWI)

MAURITIUS Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• MWF – Mauritian Wildlife Foundation – www.mauritian-wildlife.org | Conservation and preservation of the nation’s endangered plant and animal species | (MAURITIUS)

MOZAMBIQUE Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• Love the Oceans – www.lovetheoceans.org | Marine Conservation, Research, Education and Diving | (MOZAMBIQUE)

NAMIBIA Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• EHRA – Elephant Human Relations Aid – www.desertelephant.org | Elephant Conservation | (NAMIBIA)

• REST – Rare and Endangered Species Trust – www.restafrica.org | Cape Griffon Vulture, Dwarf Python, African Wild/Painted Dog, Cape/Ground Pangolin, Damara Dik Dik and Spotted Rubber Frog, wildlife Conservation, Rehabilitation and Research | (NAMIBIA)

• AfriCat Foundation – www.africat.org | Carnivore Conservation, Education, Research and Rehabilitation project | (NAMIBIA) Highly Recommended.

• N/a’an ku sê Foundation – https://naankuse.com | Wildlife Sanctuary and Carnivore Conservation Research projects. They rescue and release wildlife, true wildlife sanctuary offering a forever home to the animals that cannot be released, the animals are well looked after. A few complains from some volunteers who find the sanctuary project overcrowded and some don’t like the “walks with baboons”. Headquarters is busy, lots of young volunteers. We recommend Volunteering at Neuras and Kanaan, Kanaan and Neuras are much smaller, really working in the field. You should mention your preference when you book with them. One volunteer offended by the apparent display of animal skins and stuffed wild dog in the information class room. | (NAMIBIA)

• Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) – www.cheetah.org | Cheetah Conservation, Education and Research. They do a lot of good work for wild cheetah conservation, have an excellent Livestock Guarding Dog project, keep the cheetah studbook updated just to mention a few good things they do. They appear to condom cheetah hunting and receive some funds from hunts according to some | (NAMIBIA)

NIGERIA Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• CERCOPAN – www.cercopan.org | Primate Conservation, Rehabilitation and Education | (NIGERIA)

UGANDA Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary – www.ngambaisland.com | Chimpanzee Sanctuary | (UGANDA)

• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – www.rhinofund.org | Rhino Sanctuary and Conservation | (UGANDA)

ZAMBIA Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• Mufungata Volunteer Program – www.mufungatavolunteer.org | They offer Rehabilitation for “problem” kids and people with addiction/depression problems or trying to overcome a handicap. Good conservation work in in the Kafue National Park. Regular volunteer also offered at a separate location | (ZAMBIA)

• Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage – www.chimfunshi.de/en | Chimpanzee Sanctuary | (ZAMBIA)

• Game Rangers International – www.gamerangersinternational.org | Conservation, Rehabilitation and Education, all kinds of Wildlife | (ZAMBIA)

• Kasanka Trust – www.kasanka.com | Park management, community development and tourism of Kasanka National Park. Volunteer positions for specific skills. | (ZAMBIA)

ZIMBABWE Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

• Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary – www.twalatrust.com | Wildlife rehabilitation and sanctuary for rescued, orphaned and injured animals | (ZIMBABWE)

• Dambari Wildlife Trust – www.dambari.com | Wildlife Conservation and Research | (ZIMBABWE)

• Nakavango Conservation Programme – www.nakavango.com | Big Five and more wildlife, Conservation and Education | (ZIMBABWE)

• Free to be Wild – www.freetobewildsanctuary.com | Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release centre | (ZIMBABWE)

• D.A.R.T. Dete Animal Rescue Trust – www.dartwildlife.org | Wildlife Research & Conservation Assistance | (ZIMBABWE)

• Painted Dog Conservation – www.painteddog.org | Painted Dogs Conservation and Rehabilitation | (ZIMBABWE)

• Save the Hippos – www.savethehippos.info | Hippos Research, Protection and Conservation | (ZIMBABWE)

• Imire Safari Ranch – www.imire.co.zw | Rhino and Wildlife Conservation | (ZIMBABWE)

• Bhejane Trust – www.bhejanetrust.org | Big Five and more wildlife Conservation | (ZIMBABWE)

THE GOOD— this list is for projects with a lot of good feedback, but also some feedback raising questions regarding some activities taking place.

• International Primate Rescue – www.iprescue.org | Primate Sanctuary and Rehabilitation, raising awareness and education l (S.AFRICA)

• Running Wild Cheetah Conservation – www.runningwildconservation.org| Small volunteer project specialized in raising cheetahs for potential release into fenced reserves. No visitors. Some limited interactions between the volunteers and their ambassador | (S.AFRICA)

• Dell Cheetah Centre – www.dccafrica.co.za | Stopped all visitor/volunteer interactions with their animals recently. | (S.AFRICA)

• HESC Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre – www.hesc.co.za | No longer offering elephant rides. They do good work with cheetahs and excellent work saving orphan rhinos. We have info suggesting that they keep wild cheetahs and wild dogs in captivity longer than they should, possibly with the purpose of using them for breeding. | (S.AFRICA)

• Feracare Wildlife Centre – www.feracare.co.za | New centre, some interaction with cheetahs allowed | (S.AFRICA)

• DIY Wild – www.diywild.com | Wildlife rehabilitation centre of injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife (mainly focusing on vervet monkeys) Hygienic conditions and medical support are apparently questionable | (S.AFRICA)

• Kevin Richardson Lion Sanctuary – www.lionwhisperer.co.za | Good lion sanctuary, some people question Kevin Richarson’s videos showing him interacting with his lions and possibly giving others the impression that interacting with lions is a “cool” thing to do. Also some consider using lions to produce movies a form of exploitation. | (S.AFRICA)

• Umkhondo Big5 Wildlife – www.bigfivevolunteer.com | Big Five Conservation. Some interaction with ambassador cheetahs allowed | (S.AFRICA)

• White Shark Projects – www.whitesharkprojects.co.za | Sharks, Marine Conservation Some consider the shark cage diving industry to be inauthentic and unsustainable, that it perpetuates myths and it is poor conservation | (S.AFRICA)

• Eagle Heights Gambia – www.eagleheightsgambia.co.uk | Wildlife Conservation and Education Centre based at the Abuko Nature Reserve | (GAMBIA) CLOSED

• Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage – www.chipangali.com | Good sanctuary for sick and abandoned animals. Some interactions allowed| (ZIMBABWE)

(?) – These projects are overall good but may have certain practices that some people/conservationists may disagree with. More feedback about these projects is appreciated.

CAUTION ADVISED for the projects listed bellow. These are projects that do some good conservation work but they also engage in activities that we strongly disagree with:

• Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary – www.emoya.org.za | www.facebook.com/BahatiVolunteer/ | Lion sanctuary and home to lions saved from South America by ADI -at the moment. Poor security resulting in 2 lions killed. a total of 6 lions placed in their care died in a short period of time causing ADI to request the return of their lions. The ADI accusations were : “mismanagement, negligence, drunken rages, inappropriate associations and abuse of staff and volunteers, which put our lions at risk”. UPDATE: a judge decided in favor of ADI, ADI removed its lions from Emoya to a new sanctuary| (S.AFRICA)

• Love Lions Alive – www.lovelionsaliveproject.com | A Big Cat Sanctuary rescuing lions from bad conditions and looking after them well, not selling animals at the new location , but the founder sold lions in the past when managing the Glen Garriff farm and admitted that the lions sold may end canned hunted despite the buyer’s claim that they will be used for breeding (The LionQueen -first series) Allowing friends , donors, volunteers and relatives (including children) to interact/play with the lion cubs and take pictures. They do not offer “petting for a fee”. Stories of lions at LLA being bought by hunters and donated to LLA etc make us wonder about the connection to the hunting industry, although seems entirely dedicated to her lions. Optimistic about the future of this project, but cautious. l (S.AFRICA)

• Care for Wild – www.careforwild.co.za | Teaching lion and mutant animals breeding courses, connected to Wildlife4Sale, a trading company advertising lions- including cubs- available for trophy hunting and WRSA(Wildlife Ranching South Africa) who supports breeding for hunting (including white rhinos) . Raising cubs for breeders and returning them when older in the past, also allowing petting by volunteers. Some very good conservation work mainly with rhinos. Petronel is in favor of trading rhino horn and supports “sustainable use” of wildlife. | (S. AFRICA)

• Cheetah Outreach – www.cheetah.co.za | Good Anatolian Shepherd dog breeding program which is helping cheetahs in the wild, but they do allow paying visitors to pet cheetahs including cubs; they do not breed (they hand-rear cubs from the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre and others including Cheetah Experience Bloemfontein ). Cheetah Experience Bloemfontein is on the Bad List for past connections to canned hunting (Riana van Nieuwenhuizen who owns Cheetah Experience Bloemfontein was a co-founder of Cheetah Experience Ashia for awhile)the cheetah handlers use ‘chocking’ techniques to make the cubs lie down for petting and selfies (they shorten the leash they have around their necks) | (S. AFRICA)

• Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre (De Wild) – www.dewildt.co.za | Some interaction with ambassador cheetahs allowed, removing cubs to be hand-reared and very few released cheetahs. Most are sold to zoos. Some of their cheetah cubs are being raised at Cheetah Outreached where cub interaction with visitors takes place.after they get the cubs back, they sell them to zoos offering ‘cheetah encounters’ like the Wellington Zoo in New Zealand | (S.AFRICA)

• Daniell Cheetah Project – www.daniellcheetahproject.com | Some interaction with ambassador cheetahs allowed. Breeding servals and handraising just for money | (S.AFRICA)

• Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre – www.moholoholo.co.za | Rescue and release work, sanctuary for a variety of wildlife. Unfortunately they allow a lot of interactions with their animals, including petting of leopard cubs. Strict dressing code according the the owner’s religious beliefs | (S.AFRICA)

• Modgaji Conservation and Rehabilitation Projects – www.modgaji.co.za | Reserve Wildlife Conservation and Rehabilitation. Breeding cheetahs and releasing some in the past. There are concerns regarding their breeding practices (possible inbreeding) and selling to questionable buyers like John Varty. Relocated recently to the lowveld, Limpopo Province – near The Kruger National Park | (S.AFRICA)

• Riverside Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre – https://www.riversidewrc.com/| Rehabilitation and release of primates, many volunteers like this project. The owner seems to have a very bad temper when dealing with volunteers and staff, confirmed reports that he shot animals in his care in at least two occasions, he occasionally plays the vet without having the necessary knowledge (according to some volunteers) and is using a controversial method of drugging baboons during the formation of troops. Not much follow up after the troops are being released, most volunteers are just involved in the care of the orphans, more interactions than necessary seem to be taking place. | (S.AFRICA)

WARNING: Most of the Game Reserves in South Africa have some hunting activities going on as part of the “reserve management”. The reserves also engage in trading “excess” wildlife, and some may be using the services of unethical but well connected trading companies as Letsatsi La Africa. The volunteer projects are usually not affected or involved in the hunting/trading decisions. If you don’t consider this acceptable, we recommend you choose a sanctuary project in SA or a project in another African country. For more information on the SA reserve management situation, please read the Notes South Africa Dilemma, Parts 1-3, opinions of a volunteer.

We are trying to identify and promote good conservation projects and wildlife sanctuaries that are not connected to canned hunting or promoting hunting as a conservation method. These are places that, in OUR Opinion, are not involved in immoral practices like forced breeding and selling animals to hunting reserves, that try their best to care for wildlife and from whom you’ll have a lot to learn from spending time there. We do not know much about the accommodations they offer, the food, transportation etc., so keep this in mind if comfort is important to you. WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND YOU DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH TO DECIDE IF A PROJECT IS RIGHT FOR YOU. If you book through a travel agency, you can give them a list of places that you like and you can mention that you don’t want to volunteer at a breeding farm, they will know what you mean. Good Luck!
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THE UPDATED LIST OF VOLUNTEER PROJECTS WITH OWNERS INVOLVED IN HUNTING ACTIVITIES OR CONNECTED TO THE HUNTING INDUSTRY IN OTHER WAYS. WE ALSO ADD PROGRAMES TO THIS LIST WHEN WE RECEIVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK REGARDING HUNTING ON THE RESERVE FROM VOLUNTEERS.

• Tshukudu Game Lodge – www.tshukudulodge.co.za/volunteer-program-launches | They were a breeding farm connected to canned hunting in the past, and they are a family of hunters with a hunting safaris operating on their reserve www.sussens.co.za/about-us.php | (S.AFRICA) no longer active (?)

• Karongwe Game Reserve – www.karongwe.co.za | Good lion monitoring project; volunteer complaints regarding the trophy hunting of the previous dominant male and a few lionesses monitored by the GVI volunteers. See the FB page Save the Karongwe Lions for more details https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-the-Karongwe-Lions/529615227105631?fref=ts | (S. AFRICA)

• Bushfellows Game Lodge – www.bushfellows.co.za | Hunting reserve, offering bow and rifle hunting. | (S. AFRICA)

• Galagos Wildlife Conservation – www.gwcvolunteers.com | Situated in Venetia reserve where there is a lot of trophy hunting taking place. This volunteer project is terminated according to a recent message we’ve received. I guess the reserve decided to do their hunting without potential volunteer witnesses. | (S. AFRICA) CLOSED

• Modisa Wildlife Project – www.modisa.org | Based on a deGraaff property connected to breeding lions for canned hunting in the past. The owners promote lion trophy hunting and are against the ban on hunting in Botswana. | (BOTSWANA)

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BAD AND UGLY PLACES TO AVOID IF YOU VOLUNTEER IN AFRICA, according to our research. These are not ethical animal sanctuaries.

THE BAD

We don’t believe these places are directly connected to canned hunting but they are engaging in practices that we don’t agree with (such as breeding and using the cubs to attract volunteers, animal interaction for entertainment or profit, offering elephant rides, etc.). Some seem to be willing to change the bad practices they have been connected to for a long time, those projects may be removed from the Bad list in the future.

• Marakele Predator Centre – www.marakelepredatorcentre.co.za They changed their name to Marakele Animal Sanctuary https://www.marakeleanimalsanctuary.co.za/| Breeding, allowing petting and occasionally selling lions. This is NOT a sanctuary | (S.AFRICA)

• Sondela Nature Reserve – www.sondela.com | Using cubs to attract volunteers, offering petting. | (S.AFRICA)

• Zanchieta Wild Cat Farm – www.wildcatfarm.co.za | Raising lion cubs for Free State breeders in the past, using cubs to attract volunteers. One of the breeders they’ve done business with is the well known canned hunter called Shorty Durand. Questionable sanitary conditions according to some vols | (S.AFRICA)

• Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre – www.tenikwa.com | Killing of monkeys rather than providing adequate care (https://darwinprimategroup.wordpress.com/…/vervet-monkeys-…/), safety related concerns, allegations of animal neglect, offering interactions (https://greengirlsinafrica.com/…/tourist-initiated-wildlif…/) | (S.AFRICA)

• Lory Park Animal and Owl Sanctuary – www.lorypark.co.za a lot of bad feedback regarding the interactions with animals, also reports that a leopard called Sasha was captured in the wild and used for breeding and some of the cubs have been sold off, that they have purchased a lion.leopard and jaguar from Nasir Cajee, etc | (S.AFRICA)

• Glen Afric – www.glenafric.co.za | Offering cub petting (when the cubs are small) and walks with lions . In the past they “rented” two white lion cubs, returned them to the breeder and the whereabouts of those two lions is unknown. One of the older males lions also “disappeared” from Glen Afric and the owners refuse to disclose his present location. Evidence of tiger cubs abuse at the beginning of 2016. Training and using animals for many movies and commercials| (S.AFRICA) Known as Living With Big Cats as volunteer project.

• Kwa Madwala – www.biggamebackpackers.co.za | Offering elephant rides. l (S. AFRICA)

• Cheetah Experience Bloemfontein – www.cheetahexperience.com | Raised lion and tiger cubs for canned hunters in the past (Olivia Game Lodge, Mooifentein, Letsatsi, Shorty Durand, Grootpan Game Breeders/ Hunting Safaris), is breeding cheetahs, servals, and other cats, removing all the cubs from their mothers and using them for interactions with the volunteers and then with visitors, selling animals to places with a bad reputation regarding the treatment of their animals. There are accusations of irresponsible breeding like: allowing the matting of brother/sister leopards (twice), using a three legged serval for breeding over and over, using a cheetah male for breeding while on medication this possibly explaining the high number of stillborn cubs and some with deformities. They offer cheetah cubs for “rent” to Cheetah Outreach were they are being used for interactions. they also sell cheetahs. All these activities disqualify CE as a true sanctuary and also as a conservation facility, more a business breeding and buying cubs with the purpose of attracting volunteers and tourists to their facilities. On the positive side: exempt for the past breeding practices that we consider immoral, Cheetah Experience treats the animals well, the staff is nice and they offer the volunteers a pleasant stay | (S.AFRICA) – IMPROVEMENT REPORTED: NO CONNECTION TO CANNED HUNTERS AT PRESENT. They no longer removed the cubs from ONE of their cheetahs used for breeding and they say they do so with the purpose of releasing those cubs into the wild. One cheetah called Jasmin purchased from a canned hunter was released into a reserve. This project is connected to Ashia Cheetah Conservation http://www.ashia.co.za/, via a cofounder /owner since 2016. They are not allowed to breed at the Paarl location, they breed in Bloemfontein and they move the cheetahs around. The Ashia facility is collaborating with The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) in releasing cheetahs into fenced reserves.

• Kwantu Game Reserve – www.kwantu.co.za | They are breeding lions and tigers, rumors of connection to hunting. Offered interactions with lion and tiger cubs in the past. Some of their tigers were shipped to China, alleged elephant abuse, evidence of boolhook use by handlers. l (S.AFRICA) – IMPROVEMENT REPORTED: NO MORE INTERACTIONS WITH LION AND TIGER CUBS OFFERED AND NO MORE ELEPHANT RIDES.

• Knysna Elephant Park – www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za | NSPCA reports cruel and abusive training methods employed to control and train baby and young elephants to use in the elephant-based tourist industry. | (S.AFRICA) – IMPROVEMENT REPORTED: AS OF THE 1st OF MARCH 2018, RIDES WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE. | (S.AFRICA)

• Harnas Wildlife Foundation – http://harnas.org/ | A lot of Bad feedback regarding this project that apparently started as a good sanctuary. rescue and release center. The negative feedback is as follows: lately, the project seems to be more about making a profit rather than rehabilitation/release, a wild cheetah has been shot a few years ago, overcrowded cheetah enclosure, many “accidents” resulting in cubs offered to the volunteers for raising, a lot of interactions taking place. We posted some bad feedback about Harnas in the past, we will include one here for better understanding of the reason we decided to place Harnas on our bad list. https://www.facebook.com/volunteersbeware/posts/2094709170576568?__tn__=K-R | (NAMIBIA)

• Mukuni Big Five Safaris – www.mukunibig5.co.zm | Offering lion and cheetah walks and elephant rides, the lions appear malnourished. | (ZAMBIA)

• ALERT (African Lion & Environmental Research Trust) – www.lionalert.org/page/about-us | Part of a force breeding and lion exploitation business through petting and walks with lions | (ZAMBIA)

• Lion Encounter – www.lionencounter.com | Breeding farm exploiting lions through petting and walks with lions | (ZAMBIA/ZIMBABWE)

• Antelope Park – www.antelopepark.co.zw | Force breeding lions, exploiting lions through petting and walks with lions | (ZIMBABWE)

• Bally Vaughan – www.ballyvaughan.co.zw | This is NOT a sanctuary as it offers elephant rides and all kind of animal interactions, including lion cubs. News also state that an elephant handler was killed by an elephant (most likely for abusing the elephant); the elephant was later killed by the owner who also tried to kill an SPCA employee (Lorna Grant) who was in the company of Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife officials and had come to transfer the elephant female companion to another rehabilitation sanctuary. www.herald.co.zw/sanctuary-owner-arrested-for-attempted-mu…/ l (ZIMBABWE)

THE UGLY–Not Ethical Animal Sanctuaries

AS A GENERAL RULE, PLEASE AVOID ALL THE BREEDING FARMS WITH A LOT OF CUBS AND A LOT OF OLDER MALE LIONS AS THESE ARE SIGNS OF CONNECTION TO CANNED/TROPHY HUNTING.

• LETSATSI La Africa – www.letsatsi-la-africa.co.za | Breeding intensively, big wildlife trader, known for their involvement in canned hunting, lion and tiger bones trade and connection to wildlife crime syndicates (www.annamiticus.com/…/south-africa-more-tiger-breeding-ques…). | (S.AFRICA)

• BOSKOPPIE Lion and Tiger Reserve – www.boskoppie.com | One of the worst breeding farms, owner Piet Swart Jr was convicted for involvement in rhino poaching, they are selling lions for hunting (Serapa Safaris is one of the buyers) www.facebook.com/volunteersbeware/posts/806292312751600?hc_location=ufi | (S.AFRICA)

• MORESON Ranch – www.moresonranch.co.za | Lion breeding farm connected to canned hunting. | (S.AFRICA)

• AFRICAN DANKBAAR Lion Breeders – www.jansenville.co.za/listing/african_dankbaar_lion_breeders | (S.AFRICA)

• KUDUS RUS predator park – http://www.kudusrus.co.za/…/c…/k2/item/8-volunteer-programme | (S. AFRICA)

• HORSEBACK AFRICA – www.horsebackafrica.com | www.colin.co.za/lion_tours.htm | www.walking-with-lions.za.net | (S.AFRICA)

• MABULANI GAME RESERVE – www.mabulani.co.za/Xara%20Mabulani/activities.htm | (S.AFRICA)

• JABULA Big Cat Sanctuary – www.jabula.tv/index.html | Owner Craig Busch is accused of animal cruelty, convicted on two charges of assaulting his former partner, unlawfully retaining property etc. | (S.AFRICA)

• Akwaaba Lodge & Predator Park – www.akwaabalodge.co.za | Owner Nazeer Ahmed Cajee, the only non-white predator breeder/canned hunter in SA, purchased lions from Lion Park in the past and admitted that the lions are hunted on his property. www.archive.asianage.com/…/caring-foster-father-his-%E2%80%… | (S.AFRICA)

• Mbidi Resort and Animal Sanctuary (RAMELA RANCH) – www.ramelaranch.co.za | Breeding, hand-raising cubs and using them to attract volunteers, allowing petting, using tigers, lions or cheetahs (cubs and adults) for walks, swimming or shows. Using animals only for profit, but no known connection to hunting. | (S.AFRICA)

• Bagamoya Wildlife Estate – www.bagamoyawildlifeestate.co.za | Breeding, taking young cubs away to hand-raise them, allowing petting and sometimes selling lions | (S.AFRICA)
• Otavi Lion Park – www.otaviwildlifesanctuary.co.za | (S.AFRICA) closed

• Caring4Catz Voluntarily Project – www.facebook.com/Caring4Catz?ref=stream | (S.AFRICA)

• LIMPOPO PREDATOR PARK – www.predatorpark.co.za AND www.ingogosafaris.co.za | Breeding lions and keeping them starving, the owner Walter slippers also has a hunting reserve (owned by the same person Walter Slippers). | (S.AFRICA) Project closed after the owner got sick, the future of the lions is unclear
• Ingwe Wildlife Centre – www.ingwewildlife.co.za | Breeding and taking cubs away to hand-raise them, using cubs to attract volunteers, allowing petting; ties to Letsatsi and Limpopo Predator Park and the owners are game traders who sell wildlife including lions. | (S.AFRICA) CLOSED

• Zebula – www.zebula.co.za | Breeding and petting of lion and tiger cubs, elephant rides | (S.AFRICA)

• UKUTULA Lion Park & Lodge – www.ukutula.com | Breeding intensively in the past and selling probably to intermediaries. Connected to a canned hunting farm called Kunkuru Safaris (see volunteer feedback https://www.facebook.com/…/ukutula-is-conn…/934453669935463/) The lions start disappearing from Ukutula when they are 2-3 years old and they can no longer be used for “walks” and the owners refuse to disclose the buyers. | (S.AFRICA) IMPROVEMENT REPORTED: less breeding taking place.

• SEAVIEW Predator Park – www.seaviewpredatorpark.com | Exposed for selling lions to canned hunters by the Herald, found to be connected to Cradock hunting reserve Tam Safaris and Letsatsi la Afrika (www.heraldlive.co.za/seaview-lions-bred-hunting-parks). | (S.AFRICA) – IMPROVEMENT REPORTED: APPARENTLY NO LONGER BREEDING AND SELLING ANIMALS.

• Lion and Safari Park (former Lion Park) – www.lionandsafaripark.com/ | Breeding lions; exposed for selling to canned hunters by CBS in 2015; buyers mentioned in the 60 minutes Expose The Lion Whisperer are Nazir Cajee, Kobus Van Der Westhuizen, Kobus Jakobs, Ben Duminy all well known as being involved in can hunting (www.cbsnews.com/news/the-lion-whisperer). | (S.AFRICA) – IMPROVEMENT REPORTED: MOVED TO A BIGGER AND BETTER LOCATION MEANING BETTER CONDITIONS FOR THE ANIMALS, LIMITED BREEDING AND REDUCED NUMBER OF CUBS OFFERED FOR INTERACTIONS

• The lists are based on information/feedback received from volunteers and opinions expressed by conservationists on Facebook, blogs, reviews and also in articles published on this subject.
• We do not have any connection to any of the places listed, the reason for our work is to help the volunteers avoid projects involved in immoral practices such as force breeding, petting or canned hunting and to help them choose responsible projects (true sanctuaries, projects involved in rehabilitation and release or conservation oriented).
• We don’t accept any Fees or Donations from volunteers or any of the projects listed or not listed.
• We are not engaging in undercover operations.
• The lists for South African projects are much longer than for the other African countries. For the Good list, we separated the sanctuaries from the conservation projects and we tried to list the projects based on the kind of wildlife present.

The Voluntourist encourages visiting and volunteering at ethical animal sanctuaries only.