| Want to volunteer for wildlife conservation work? | | | | and the running of programs to encourage |
| India can be a great destination to choose. | | | | responsible tourism. These are especially important |
| Wildlife Conservation in India | | | | in popular tourist areas such as Goa, where |
| There are numerous destinations around the | | | | visitors may accidentally do great harm to the |
| world where it is possible to volunteer to work in | | | | local habitats through irresponsible behaviour such |
| wildlife conservation. South Africa is one of the | | | | as littering. |
| most popular, with its enormous national parks | | | | Rescue and Care in the Cities |
| and a large population of big game animals, but it | | | | Wildlife conservation work isn't confined to the |
| is by no means the only option. If you are looking | | | | national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India - |
| to make a difference on a gap year or career | | | | there's plenty of work to be done in the cities as |
| break and want to work with animals, then a visit | | | | well. There are a huge number of stray animals |
| to India can be an outstanding choice. This | | | | that live in the major Indian cities, often in truly |
| country is home to diverse species, including | | | | desperate conditions. The cities themselves often |
| elephants, panthers, monkeys, turtles and many | | | | lack an infrastructure to deal with these animals, |
| different species of birds, and a visit here allows | | | | and rely on outside organisations and volunteers |
| you experience some of the most beautiful | | | | to help curb the problem. |
| landscapes in the world, from unspoilt coasts to | | | | As a volunteer in one of the major Indian cities, |
| verdant jungles and arid deserts. | | | | you will have the opportunity to help out in many |
| Wildlife conservation work in India falls into two | | | | different ways. As part of mobile ambulance |
| main areas - work in the cities and work in the | | | | teams, wildlife workers travel the streets and |
| countryside. Here is an overview of these two | | | | respond to phone calls to find sick and wounded |
| options... | | | | animals, take them in and then restore them to |
| Conservation in the Wildlife Sanctuaries | | | | health. Stray animals can be carriers for disease, |
| India is an enormous country, with a highly diverse | | | | and can also breed uncontrollably, so it is |
| wildlife population. There are numerous wildlife | | | | important to carry out vaccination and sterilisation |
| sanctuaries that are dedicated to the preservation | | | | campaigns. Taking animals off the streets and |
| of unique habitats and the animals that live in | | | | getting them into homes is very important, and |
| them, such as the Cotiago Wildlife Sanctuary on | | | | most organisations in the cities will encourage |
| the coast near to Goa. | | | | adoption of animals whenever they can. Finally, |
| These sanctuaries rely on volunteers to help keep | | | | education outreach programs can spread |
| them running, and if you choose to work at one | | | | information on how to help stray animals. |
| of these places you'll get to experience a wide | | | | There's plenty of work to be done in India as a |
| variety of wildlife conservation activities first hand. | | | | wildlife conservation volunteer, but whether you |
| These may include research and observation of | | | | work in the cities or in the sanctuaries, you can |
| animals in the wild, veterinary work with sick and | | | | be sure you'll be making a valuable contribution, |
| injured animals, habitat repair and maintenance, | | | | and a difference! |