I would happily do it again. I've done stuff the past year that I would have never thought in a million years that I would actually get the opportunity to do and I met so many wonderful people and saw just some amazing things when I was out in both countries.

 

My time with Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

I was there for 3 months from around June time to September and my main duties were really feeding the animals, cleaning out enclosures just general stock, giving medication and helping with a few releases as well.

 

 

I loved my placement it was honestly one of the best things. The start was very difficult for me, the first couple of weeks, I don't know if it was just being that far away from home for the first time or just because I didn't know anyone - it was it wasn't great. However, it got a lot better once I settled in. It was so much better and I loved it. The weather was fantastic, the only downfall was the mosquitoes but you do get used to them after a while.

 

 

 

My time with Alldays Wildlife and Communities Research Centre

My second placement was with Alldays Wildlife and Communities Research Centre in South Africa. It was really just having different research projects on like baboons and things like that. We also did get to go to a local school every Thursday and teach a fun nature lesson.  

I also had the opportunity to actually go to Zimbabwe to another rehabilitation centre. There were three Lions there and I got to see them being darted and then moving them into the same enclosure to make a new pride. Then just watching them after I actually did help to get to inject a lion as well which was pretty cool.

 

 

There was a lot more research going into going to South Africa. I had to get a Visa this time but it was very easy to get and also get a SIM card while I was there but it was at the airport so it was completely fine to get. The accommodation, I was staying again on the Research Centre and you did have to pay rent and then transport they booked everything. We had to get a coach from the airport which Alldays did book so that was easy and then they picked us up and they would really bring us everywhere we needed to go.

I did surprise myself by how easy it was being away the second time. I didn't cry at all or nothing like that happened. I did surprise myself about how quickly I acclimatised to everything, even the weather.

I would happily do it again. I've done stuff the past year that I would have never thought in a million years that I would actually get the opportunity to do and I met so many wonderful people and saw just some amazing things when I was out in both countries.

 

 

Charlotte Spratt

BSc Zoology