📝 Detailed information
💼 What the programme involves
This is a 12 month placement where volunteers will work within the Educational and Animal Care Department at Alternative Bear and Wolf park Blackforest, one of two projects run by the charity, Stiftung fur Baren. The charity, rescues and rehabilitates animals previously kept in neglected conditions in circus', zoos or private ownership. The participants will learn how to provide the specialists care needed for the different species and individuals. Tasks will include, preparing food and medication and distributing this, cleaning the outdoor facilities, creating enrichment and conducting individual observations of the animals. As well as learning to to care for the animals, the volunteer will also help in the education department creating children's programmes, assisting with any on and off-site events, as well as conducting professional guided tours to the visiting public.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Participants will use the on-site in accommodation which consists of private rooms, a communal kitchen, bathroom and living area. There is a restaurant on-site where volunteers can receive all their meals, including snacks and drinks. If they wish to cook in the communal kitchen then they are able to do so using ingredients that they have bought. There are laundry facilities, T.V and WiFi as well as plenty of outdoor space to relax in. Supermarkets and other shops are about a 10 minute walk away, as is the bus station for excursions on days off.
🎒 Leisure activities
Volunteers will receive Pre-Departure Training from their sending Organisation, in addition to On-Arrival and Mid-Term Training from the National Agency. Each volunteer will also have a month-by-month training schedule to ensure participants know and understand what they will learn over the year, as well as set targets for themselves. Regular reviews will ensure volunteers know how they are doing.
⚠️ Requirements
The Participant profile: Due to the work and the working environment, volunteers must have an intermediate level of English for health and safety reasons when working around wild animals. This is also needed for the educational material and talks that the volunteers will be asked to produce. Participants must also be fit and able with no physical disabilities due to the nature of the work. Server allergies to nuts or animal fur could be problematic.
Deadline: Application deadline: 31/03/2023
ℹ️ Additional information
Participants are entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate from the organiser, for recognition of their competence development during the activity. Read more about Youthpass:https://www.youthpass.eu/en/
This organisation holds a European Solidarity Corps Quality Label. The Quality Label certifies that the organisation is able to run projects in compliance with the principles and objectives of the European Solidarity Corps.