Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Save an animal’s life

Over more than 25 years, this project has rescued hundreds of sick, injured and abandoned animals, nursing them back to health and either reintroducing them into the wild or providing them with a lifetime of sanctuary. 

Variety of animal species

This experience gives you the chance to work with a huge diversity of wildlife, from large carnivores to birds of prey.

A bird lover’s paradise

If you’re passionate about our winged friends, this experience is perfect for you as you'll work closely with birds of prey. This project also partners with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), and is their preferred poisoned vulture recovery and rehabilitation specialist.

Friendly social atmosphere

As well as the full-time project team, there are up to 20 conservation volunteers here at a time. Living in this group environment in the South African bush creates a lively atmosphere and makes it a great place for making new friends.

Build relationships with local landowners

Minimise the persecution of wild leopards, honey badgers, hyena and more through relocation work and, at the same time, help local farmers to protect their livelihood.

As a volunteer on our Wildlife Rehabilitation Experience, your role will be very hands-on. Depending on the animals being cared for, your duration of stay and your areas of interest, you’ll get involved in the following activities:

Research and practical conservation work

While our wildlife rehabilitation experience is focused on working in a wildlife sanctuary, you’ll also have the opportunity to help wildlife living in the surrounding region.

• Rescue, quarantine and release animals such as wild leopards who are placing themselves at risk by troubling local farmers
• Provide a safe area for the wild vultures of the Drakensberg Mountains to feed, free from the risks of poisoning
• Take a trip to Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest biodiversity hotspots

Veterinary nursing

Most animals arrive at wildlife rehabilitation centres with some level of injury or trauma. Guided by experienced animal care professionals, you’ll help to treat wounds and infections, as well as provide ongoing care.

• Work in a well-equipped clinic located on-site
• Assist with the treatment and care of injured animals
• Help dress wounds, give medical treatment and monitor sick animals
• Perform regular health checks
• Help prepare a nutritious diet

Rehabilitation, care and husbandry

Wherever possible, you’ll help to rehabilitate healthy animals back into the wild. Where an injury is too severe or an animal’s territorial nature and complex social structures make it impossible to release them, you’ll help to provide life-long care in the sanctuary instead.

• Enrich animals’ lives through fitness, play, and creating a natural setting in captivity
• Prepare animal feeds and provide hands-on help with feeding
• Assist with preparation and release of animals onto the project’s wildlife reserve
• Stabilise and integrate new arrivals into the population at the centre
• Muck-out enclosures, rake grass for bedding and create clean living spaces for animals

Caring for young wildlife

Looking after young animals can be particularly rewarding but they require lots of special attention – just like human infants, in fact!

• Prepare food or formula 
• Bottle-feed or by another method, depending on the species 
• Provide regular care and monitoring 
• Assist with the integration of juvenile animals into an enclosure with other animals

Throughout your stay, you’ll get to learn about the behaviour, biology and conservation of many different species.

Behaviour

• The behaviours of African animals, both in the wild and in captivity
• What methods of enrichment are used for different species and how this benefits the animal’s welfare
• How animals communicate with each other

Biology

• The physiology and biology of predators including lion, leopard and hyena as well as other African animals at the centre
• The diets of predators and other African animals, both in the wild and while they’re at the centre
• Wildlife reproduction and how different species take care of their young

Conservation

• How to prevent conflict between local farm owners and predators such as leopard and hyena, who sometimes hunt their livestock as prey
• Methods used by poachers such as snares – you may even see some animals arrive at the sanctuary with snare injuries
• The important role animal care centres play in the broader wildlife conservation movement

Ecology

• The natural habitats of animals you’re working with and their role in the ecosystem