Volunteering with Baboons in South Africa
Four Weeks as a Volunteer to Give the Chacma Baboons a Future
Jul 26, 2009
Volunteering with wildlife can be an exciting and at times, a challenging vacation. Most volunteers choose to work with wildlife overseas specifically because they can get close to the animals, at times very close. It may sound like more work than vacation, but many volunteers return again and again to have a chance to get up close and personal with the most maligned wildlife in South Africa.
The History of the CARE Baboons
Rita Miljo, a slight, European lady formerly from Prussia, founded the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education (CARE) in 1989. While her early charges included a diverse number of species, today she is known as Mama Zimfene, the mother of baboons.
Her charges are Chacma Baboons (Papio ursinus) and they are found in many areas of South Africa. Casual travelers may see them in Cape Town, but it is the hands-on volunteer that really gets to know the social nature and playfulness of the baboons.
Why are There so Many Orphaned Baboons?
Because the Chacma Baboon is not listed as highly endangered, they are considered a pest species by many and can be shot and hunted at will. In addition, the number of baboons is diminishing due to loss of habitat and pressure in developing communities to remove baboons because of their “aggressive” tendencies.
CARE’s goal is to rehabilitate as many baboons as possible. After years of experience, CARE has found ways to minimize human conflict with troops after their release. These practices greatly enhance the chance for the troops’ total integration into the wild.
Baboon orphans as young as four weeks old arrive at CARE at all hours of the night and day. The very young orphans (under four months of age) are given to a volunteer who will work with them for a minimum of eight weeks as a surrogate mother. The pairs are together 24/7. The time spent with the surrogate mother gives the young orphan the early nurturing needed to adjust. This special attention gives the baboon confidence and socialization to be able to join an age appropriate troop.
Supported by Volunteer Fees and Local Donations
CARE depends on both the physical work and the financial resources of international volunteers to keep the facility open. While CARE has been successful finding donations of milk formula, fruits, and vegetables to feed the baboons, there is an ongoing need for monetary contributions. Support is needed for salaries for local workers, building supplies for refurbishment and construction of additional enclosures, and daily operating expenses such as electricity, veterinary services and transport vehicles.
Volunteer Duties at CARE
A day at CARE is from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers interact with multiple troops under the age of three. Interact can mean feeding, cleaning, socializing and acting as the play ground monitor to what appears to be a group of toddlers on a sugar high. Minor misunderstandings between the baboons are to be settled by the volunteers, who also cuddle and play with the youngest members of the troop.
Other activities include processing fruit and vegetables for the over 100 adult baboons that are individually housed at the CARE. Twenty-five troops are currently in residence and are in the queue to be released at the best time of the year and when the appropriate level of maturity has been reached. While the goal at CARE is to return the baboons back into the wild, there are some that will never be able to be released. Many had been pets or in laboratories and now, either mentally or physically, will never be able to fend for themselves. They have a permanent home at CARE.
Similar to other wildlife centers, there is daily cleaning and repairs needed. The local workers do most of the heavy work, but volunteers are asked to help with minor repairs and clean up after the youngest troops.
In return for the fees paid (around $1,600 for four weeks), the volunteers receive dormitory sleeping quarters, western showers and toilets and communal meals. Cooking and kitchen clean up duties are rotated and food supplies are brought in every week.
There is a four-week minimum stay required as it takes some time for volunteers to learn the ropes and be accepted by the baboons. The location is remote and the availability of outside entertainment is limited. That being said, numbers of volunteers extend their stay once they arrive and many come back year after year.
Wildlife volunteering can be strenuous depending on the site selected. Volunteering at CARE affords the volunteer an opportunity to become close to an amazing primate that can frustrate one minute and the next minute, be sound asleep and completely relaxed on a lap.
Contact CARE for current prices and additional information.
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