The African lion conservation projects at Antelope Park in Zimbabwe and Livingstone, Zambia are always popular – and have been made even more so this year by the TV programme covering this important work.

The result is that volunteer placements for July and August are practically full, and September has only a few places left. If working – and walking – with lions interests you at all, you really need to get int touch with us as soon as possible.

Although we always try to fit you in, if you have set holiday plans then as a general rule it is wise to book lion projects at least six months in advance. If your plans or more flexible, then a waiting list does exist, but it is very rare that people drop out.

There are places left for this year, and bookings are open for 2011, but they fill up fast. If you need more info, just drop us a line.

Following the success of David Youlden’s ITV series about our lions conservation and rehabilitation at Antelope Park (Wednesday nights, 7.00pm, ITV1), our wildlife volunteers in Africa are in the news again!

This time it’s 18 year old volunteer Ivan Troev writing about his experiences in an upcoming edition of the popular travel magazine RealTravel.

Our people on the ground in Africa are already calling 2010 a “roaring success” (sorry about the pun) and such positive exposure for such an important venture can only add to the benefits for the most important characters in this story – the African lions themselves!

Obviously we can’t give you a lot of the content of the magazine, but one of Ivan’s quotes was “I came to realize that, like us, lions are intelligent, sentient creatures, capable of feeling, caring and loving others… for me, actually seeing and interacting with these amazing creatures is more than simply a volunteering experience… a world without lions simply wouldn’t be worth living in…”

We couldn’t agree more!

Current lion conservation volunteering options are Antelope Park, Victoria Falls or Livingstone. As you can imagine, recent publicity has made these exciting volunteering opportunities very popular so we suggest you get in touch soon!

Last night’s was fascinating and showed just how volunteers like you are involved in all aspects of this vital work – including carrying a big metal crate with a grumpy 18 month old lion inside!

I should explain, in case you missed it, that this was two lions arriving at Antelope Park from our other facility at Victoria Falls. They were transferred because they are at an age where the huge enclosure at the park gives them more opportunity to get used to big wide-open wild Africa!

Victoria Falls is just as involving and perhaps more “up-close and personal” in some ways, because the enclosures are smaller and a bit more intimate for the early rehabilitation, but Antelope Park is entirely fenced so offers greater freedom for near adult lions.

Of course a near adult lion is a considerable size and weight, and while you can be involved in lion walks over some distance, to get from Victoria Falls means temporarily crating up our two juveniles so that everyone – and particularly the lions – are safe during the transfer.

On arrival at Antelope Park the lion cages are swiftly man-handled to the initial enclosures by as many volunteers as are available. The aim is to be as quick as possible to reduce animal stress to a minimum. Sometimes one of the occupants can be a little grumpy though, so the main instruction is to keep your hands clear of any holes from which a claw might poke!

As usual, everything went smoothly and our two new guests were safely installed. If you want to now what happens next you can watch next week’s programme (Wednesday night, 7.00pm, ITV1) or better yet, come and help us!

Current lion conservation volunteering options are Antelope Park, Victoria Falls or Livingstone. The series is very popular and has brought lots of inquiries so we suggest you get in touch soon!

Hosted by conservationist David Youlden the projects shown are the very ones you could help with!

Transmission times may vary depending on your area and which ITV channel you can receive but the series starts tonight, 6th January at 7.30 pm and runs for the next 6 weeks. Full details can be found here.

The series is set at Antelope Park and follows the vital African lion rehabilitation and release programme run by our friends at ALERT. If you have ever thought of working with these magnificent creatures here’s your chance to get a preview of the important work that goes on.

In fact these are the very lions that you could be working with later this year!

The series will show our lion conservation programme from working with young lion cubs through building confidence in adolescent lions using various methods, including the thrilling lion walk. The eventual aim being to release fit and fully prepared animals back into their natural habitat.

If working with African lions is something which appeals to you, you won’t want to miss it. In addition to the Antelope Park in Zimbabwe you can also choose to help with this important conservation work at Victoria Falls or Livingstone.

If you have any questions, please do get in touch here.

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Mothers and cubs are doing well with just a slight complication. The first two were born to “Kenge” and everything is going smoothly there. The third was born to “Mafuta” and it seems she’s not so keen on her new charge and the little female was rejected.

It happens. Fortunately the cub is now being cared for by the lion manager and it would seem it’s fit, strong and noisy!

From around February time, when the cubs are big enough, they will start to be out on lion walks with volunteers, so they can get used to their environment. If you would like to be among them you’ll want to check out details of the Antelope Park Project here.

Other African lion conservation projects are also available:

Lion Conservation at Victoria Falls

Lion Conservation at Livingstone

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