Volunteering in South Africa

These past 2 weeks have been great overall. Have had more time to bond with the lions and baby tigers. Now, I finally get the very warm greeeting from Coby and Skyla (11 months) when I call them and enter their enclosure. Its almost like a 'Christian the Lion' moment every time. To see 2 beautiful lions come running towards you to give you hugs is truly one of the best feelings you could ever have. There is nothing like it and it gives me goose bumps every time.

The baby babies are getting so big now. Even if you have one day away from them you can already see a difference. They finally had their last inoculations which means tourists can go in for some handling time. Because they are so young, by the end of the day they can get so cranky and tired. Sometimes trying to feed them at night can be really difficult and can take up to 3 hours. They are really starting to develop their own personalites and have started to get a little more possessive and protective over their food, especially their ribs.

As I spend my last moments with them in the last week I start to tear. Its going to be so hard to leave them. I'm really going to miss this place. It's been an adventure.

So far I have organised to have 2 days off for some sightseeing. One was just as eventful as the other.

I went to Kwantu Game Reserve & Elephant Sanctuary. It was so cold and it rained the entire day. We took a 3 hour game drive through one of the reserves and were provided with ponchos and blankets, which definitely came in handy. Due to the weather, most animals took cover. We did see a Blessbok give birth, some Blue and Black Wildebeast, Giraffes, Zebras, Impala and other types of antelope. We also managed to find half a lion's kill of dead zebra. The kill happned a day before and normally lions will stay with their kill guarding it until they have finished. However, due to the weather we were unable to see the lions. I'm sure they were watching us from behind the bushes though.

I don't think the other tourists were enjoying themselves. One guy next to me managed to fall asleep and a few down the fron't were on their mobile phones and then still managed to complain about why they had bad reception. I found this very very amusing.

After the drive we took a walk through their education and rehab area where we saw Cheetah, White and Brown Lions and Bengal tigers. Because it was too muddy for the truck, we had to walk. Lets just say my socks were no longer white.

We were then treated to a very yummy buffet lunch and then headed out to the elephant sanctuary where we got ro ride and feed African elephants. It was truly a wonderful experience. Such an amazing creatures they are. The weather cleared up too which made the experience even better.

On my second day off, 3 other volunteers and I set out to do an Ocean Safari. It didn't work out so well. Accoring to Lloyd, our boat driver, it was the worst conditions he'd been in, in 14 years. This he hadn't mentioned untill after 20 or so minutes of being out at sea. Even at the beginning the sea was so rough and I started to panic a little. For the first 15-20 minutes I was all ''woohoo!!!'' then I went very quiet. From that moment onwards, I constantly had my head over the side of the boat. I couldn't stop thinking about how I was going to get through another 2.5 hours at sea. Due to the conditions we pretty much saw nothing, well, no whales, only a few penguins and a pod of dolphins, which I only managed to see from the corner of my eye because I was too busy being sick.

Just under an hour in our driver gave us the option of going backto shore. I took that option without hesitation and 2 of the other girls weren't feeling well either. Our guides felt terrible. They took us to breakfast and a penguin and seal rehabilitation centre which was so amazing. They also refunded some of our money which was very lovely of them to do. We arrived back around 2:30pm and I was in bed from that moment until the next morning.

Last week, the Samoan, Scottish, French, Australian and USA Rugby Sevens team came to visit Seaview Lion Park before their tournament series started on Friday 9th December. They had a chance to go in with some of the lions. They loved it, but it was also funny to see some of the big guys be so scared.

The Scottish team had some entertainment, kindly provided by myself and baby Siberian Tiger, Amber. The guys came over to watch us feed all the babies. Amber was being so cheeky and was more interested in playing than drinking her bottle. She found my shoe very amusing. She started to bite it and would not let go. Everytime I tried to pull her off she growled and got upset. She tore up my hands and bottom half of my leg with her sharp claws. She had quite a grip. In the end it took 3 of us to actually pull her off and she let everyone know how unhappy she was. The players had crowded around to take pictures and video recordings. My left foot and Amber are now famous.

The Australian team got to watch us feed Coby and Skyla. They were very impressed about how we would stand preparing all the meat. All the teams were a great bunch of guys. The Aussies and Scotts were the best, and not to mention the most good looking

Duties today so far included;

Taking 6month old cubs Mona, Shaka and Mika for a walk. I understand why now we're not to turn our backs to them. Mika decided to pounce on me from behind. Didn't hurt but she frightened the hell out of me.

Cleaned out their enclosure then went to feed the baby bush pigs. They are very messy eaters but so cute.

After breakfast, my group had the pleasant duty of meat preparation. I completely underestimated what was involved. I walked in to the prep room. Flies everywhere, avery bloody floor, and the smell was so revolting, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to cut the meat. The other volunteer opened the fridge where 3 carcasses hang. We cut
Up about 10kg of meat and I had the special duty of hacking horse ribs. Took us about 2 hours.

Will get to spend some play time with some of the lions this arvo and get better enquainted. But first I have to change because I'm covered in blood .

Today was a bit easier on the body.

Today I was on baby tiger duty. It's hard work. They're 9 weeks an feisty. Got pounced on, bitten,scratched all morning and evening.

After breakfast some of the volunteers got to go the Bethal Babes Educare Centre. Was so amazing. All the children sang lots of songs and gave us so many cuddles. They loved getting their picture taken and loved the presents I brought them. The children from the centre are from very broken and poor families. They all live in a very dangerous neighbourhoods where there are lots of gangsters so shootings happen every night. Was a huge reality check for me and a major reminder of how lucky we are.

This arvo I had lots of animal time wit Skyla and Coby the 12 month lion cubs and 6 month old cubs, Shaka, Mona and Mika. I went up to say hi to mona and she gave me a lovely wack across my arm and left me a nasty scratch, which even went through my thick jumper. I also got the opportunity to take tourists in and spend time with the 3 cubs. Felt kinda like an experienced zoo keeper.

Feeding time for the tiger cubs was hard tonight. They just didnt want to eat. They were more interested in chewing my pants and shoes and arms and legs.

Hopefully I can get some photos up soon.

Hope you are all keeping well

Just about to have a thanksgiving dinner... Bloody American volunteers lol.

Bec