The goal of the Cheetah Rewildling Program is to care for and train cheetah cubs to hunt, to avoid contact with potential threats, and prepare the cubs for release into the wild. With a global population of approximately 7,500 cheetahs and only 600 in South Africa, this program is crucial to helping bolster the natural population.
What will I be doing?
This is a hands-on experiential internship. As an intern, you'll actively participate in captive animal care, conservation and education activities.
A typical week may include:
preparation and delivery of food to cheetah, lions, meerkats and other animals, participating in physical exams and medical procedures, maintenance of the rehabilitation center and the enclosures, training cheetahs to hunt, implementing enrichment activities, interacting with the local community, experiencing game drives on the sanctuary, and attending lectures about conservation, anatomy and physiology, wildlife crime, and ecology
as with all field work, weather and local conditions play a role in the schedule and can lead to last minute changes in the planned activities
What will I learn?
Previous interns often tell us that the biggest impact of these internship programs are the increase in self-confidence, the ability to get out of your comfort zone, the cultural learning, and the friendships made.
Below, are the methods and focus areas that are currently a priority at the project.
Methods:
Animal husbandry and handling skills for a wide variety of African organisms
Walking and training cheetahs and other animals
Learning proper feeding techniques and supplementation for ideal health
Assessing body condition, health, and learning veterinarian techniques
Learning to identify species of local plants and animals
Tracking and using telemetry to find collared animals
Maintaining enclosures to ensure animal safety and health
Focus Areas:
How can cheetahs be best prepared for rewilding?
How do we develop and present enrichment to captive animals?
What physiological problems are common in captive animals and how do we prevent and monitor for them?
What is the role of the illegal pet trade on endangered species and conservation?
How does low genetic diversity impact cheetah breeding?
What previous experience or skills do I need?
General interest in carnivores, cheetahs, African wildlife, veterinary skills, and captive animal management Interns need to show enthusiasm, positivity, maturity, and independence, adaptability, and willingness to work in a team
You will be living at the animal sanctuary situated in a wild game reserve, about 30 minutes from the town of Magaliesberg, South Africa. It is a beautiful secluded valley with a view of the surrounding mountains. The drive from Johannesburg is just under 2 hours. Only other interns and staff are at the facility.
How does housing and food work?
The interns stay in bungalows with 2 bedrooms, a lounge, kitchenette, and bathroom. There is a main lodge for meals, lectures, and other activities. There is a pool and beautiful deck for cooling off on warm days. Meals are included in the internships. Dietary requirements like vegetarian, vegan, or other allergies can be accommodated.
What’s included?
Transfer to the project, meals at the project, housing, all the research, educational, and cultural activities, wifi, laundry, local experts talking with the group, pre-departure support, a field study abroad t-shirt, and logistic support at the Johannesburg airport at your arrival and for your return flight home.
How can I get academic credit?
If you need academic credit, we will work with your university advisor or study abroad office. Generally, this internship will satisfy any field course or experiential learning requirement you might have. There is also an option to take a course through Michigan State University for credit.
You will also receive a certificate of completion from Field Study Abroad and post-trip resume help.
What did previous interns say?
“This program expanded the limits of what I thought I was capable of. It has helped me narrow down what I want to do professionally in the future. Before this program, I had a lot of different interests of potential roads for a career, from genetics to pharmaceuticals to therapy dog training, etc. This experience has helped me realize what I am most passionate about - animal welfare & rescue and being “hands-on” / “on the ground” with the animals.”
- Esther -
“I never thought I could feel so at home and comfortable in a foreign country 8,000 miles away from Michigan. I truly was gifted the experience of a lifetime to be able to go on this trip and experience South Africa. This experience is one I will never forget, and I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to experience it”
Methods:
Focus Areas:
