West African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus ) are critically endangered due to the alarming disappearance of their habitat, the illegal trafficking of their meat and babies. In Cote d'Ivoire, chimpanzees are victims of human expansion but also of an organized criminal trafficking of baby chimpanzees that are sold mostly abroad.
Chimpanzees are fully protected by international and Ivoirian laws.
Akatia is an Ivoirian organization aiming to protect chimpanzees and primates and in the process of creating a sanctuary for confiscated orphans. To date, Akatia cares for two confiscated chimpanzees and four monkeys. The chimpanzees are cared for around the clock at a temporary site by volunteers. As soon as the permanent sanctuary site is legally concede to Akatia, the chimpanzees will move to the sanctuary.
Akatia is currently looking for enthusiastic and motivated volunteers to gain unique experience in an in-situ conservation organization while bringing their skills to the project.
Our basic Volunteer missions Include :
1 . Help with the rehabilitation of chimpanzees :
Bush walks in the forest with the chimpanzees all day
Clean the night cages and wash the youngest chimpanzees doudous
Help in the care of newly arrived babies
2 . Participation in the daily life of the project :
Preparing meals for the volunteer team, cleaning communal areas, camp maintenance, etc.
Shopping trips for the chimps and volunteers
Participation if necessary in the maintenance of structures and development of the infrastructures for the chimpanzees and the camp
Participation in any other particular on-going project in progress according to the skills such as the creation of the new sanctuary site and supervising construction projects
Required profile :
Available immediately
Be motivated and enthusiastic to discover and participate in a unique project to conserve an endangered species
Ideally between 24 and 50 years
Being in excellent physical and mental shape
Have a conversation level of French spoken (and read) in order to work with the team and the local community
Diploma and / or experience in the following fields :
Working with primates, in captivity or in the wild
Working with wildlife, in captivity or in the wild
Nature management, conservation
Ethology
Specific manual skills masonry, electricity, welding, electrified enclosure knowledge, constructions ...
Being adventurous and not scared by a life in the middle of the bush and far from civilization, without contact with the world, within a micro-society
Being open to a new culture, patient, curious, but respectful of local habits and project
A multi-month travel and / or work experience in Africa is a big plus
Terms of volunteers mission :
Mission of 3 months minimum
Accommodations in Abidjan and on site (camping) are provided
At the site or during missions, 3 local meals / day provided (mostly local rice-based food, limited in variety due to isolation)
Transportation from Abidjan to Site
At the volunteer’s expenses :
Travel from the airport to our accommodation in Abidjan (round trip)
Airfare to Cote d'Ivoire, Visa, insurance and vaccination
Any extra personal costs during the stay (drinks, cigarettes, extra food, communication)
Terms of Appointment: ASAP
Contact: estelle.raballand@lilo.org
More information: www.akatia.org and on social network (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)