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A GUIDE TO

VOLUNTEERING

AT CROW Centre for Rehabilitation Of Wildlife

“I loved being able

to go on rescues,

the animals get the

best care & love!”

Kelly Dyamond, Clinic Volunteer

2015

“I would highly

recommend CROW,

it is all about

getting animals

back into the wild

and not about

making money!

Mareike Gatterdam, Clinic

Volunteer 2014

“I had the time of

my life and will

never forget my

experience!”

Brenna Castro, PR Intern 2014

15a Coedmore Avenue

Yellowwood Park

Durban

KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa

www.crowkzn.co.za

info@crowkzn.co.za

+27 (0)31 462 1127

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CROW’s VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

Thank You for your interest in volunteering at

CROW. Below is a description of who we are, what

we do and what you can expect as a CROW

volunteer. Volunteers are an integral part of our

organisation and we look forward to welcoming you

to the team!

If you are interested in volunteering with us,

please kindly complete and return the Volunteer Application Form. If you have any

additional queries or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

ABOUT CROW

Run by a small, yet highly dedicated and experienced

team of staff and local and international volunteers, CROW

assists over 3000 injured, orphaned and displaced animals

every year. From mongoose, genets and monkeys to raptors,

reptiles and antelope, CROW represents a second chance at a

free, safe and sustainable life for all wild animals in distress.

CROW is a registered non-profit organisation in South

Africa and relies solely on the support and goodwill of the

public both locally and internationally to ensure the doors to its centre remain open.

As a proud member of the IWRC (International Wildlife

Rehabilitation Council), CROW strives to raise awareness and

improve the quality of wildlife rehabilitation in South Africa and to

uphold the code of ethics adopted by fellow professional wildlife

rehabilitation practitioners around the world.

VISION

CROW’s vision is to be an independent, pioneering force in the rehabilitation

and conservation of orphaned and injured wildlife, while promoting the preservation

of their natural habitat.

“Volunteers are unpaid. Not because they are worthless, but because they are

priceless!”

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MISSION STATEMENT

CROW is committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured and

orphaned wildlife and believes in action and education with regards to the protection

of all natural resources.

VALUES

As a reputable and professional wildlife rehabilitation centre, CROW strives to

uphold the following values in all areas of the organisation’s work:

• Honesty

• Integrity

• Professionalism

• Compassion

• Commitment

HISTORY

Founded in 1980 by a local

environmentalist and conservationist,

CROW was South Africa’s first wildlife

rehabilitation centre dedicated to

assisting orphaned, injured and

displaced wildlife. Originally run from

Isolde’s garage, the need for a bigger,

better equipped premises soon became

apparent as news of CROW and its

work quickly spread.

The organisation was thrown a

lifeline in 1980 by the Durban (now

Ethekwini) Municipality in the form of the city’s 3.7 ha abandoned waterworks plant

situated in Yellowwood Park. Thanks to the support of the greater Durban

community, the funds were raised to convert the old plant’s sterile pans into aviaries

and enclosures that could house injured and orphaned wildlife during the

rehabilitation process. In 1988, additional funding was raised and numerous

corporate sponsors pledged their support in order to build the main clinic and

administrative offices that are still in use by the organisation today.

Since its humble beginnings over 35 years ago, CROW has inevitably

undergone many changes and benefited from the passion and commitment of

numerous staff and volunteers who have selflessly served the animals in its care.

However, despite these changes, the organisation’s vision and mission still remains

true to its founder’s philosophy of care, compassion and conservation not only for

our wildlife, but for our natural environment too.

CROW's Founder, Isolde Mellet with one of the organisations first ever patients.

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SPECIES AT CROW

CROW is registered to work with ALL species of wildlife indigenous to

KwaZulu-Natal. We have a large selection of animals under our care, ranging from

primates and mammals to reptiles and antelope. With an average of over 300

admissions per month, CROW is one of the busiest centres of its kind in South Africa.

PLEASE NOTE:

As a wildlife rehabilitation centre, CROW strives to release all its animal

patients back into the wild as soon as they have made a full recovery. Therefore it is

imperative that the conditions at our centre mimic their natural environment as

closely as possible and contact with humans is kept to that which is strictly necessary

for medical treatment of that animal. This means staff and volunteers are not

permitted at any time to stroke, pet and/or “play” with the CROW’s wildlife patients.

This is not only important for your own safety, but to also ensure we give all wildlife

patients the best chance of a successful return to their natural habitat in the wild.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Depending on your origin you can fly direct to King Shaka International

Airport or catch a connecting flight via Johannesburg or Cape Town to Durban. NB:

Please try avoid booking a flight that lands in Durban later than 4pm if at all

possible.

VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT DURATION

The minimum length of stay on CROW’s volunteer programme is two weeks

(due to training requirements). There is no maximum time limit as long as there is

accommodation available in the volunteer house for your requested duration.

PEAK PERIOD

Volunteers are needed at CROW throughout the

year. Peak period for us is our Spring and Summer

months (September – March) when we are inundated

with babies and also undertake the majority of our

releases. However, please bear in mind that this is also

our hottest and most humid time of the year!

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”

“Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.”

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VOLUNTEER AGE RANGE

CROW’s Volunteer Programme has a minimum age limit of 18. While there is

no upper age limit, more mature volunteers must be fit and healthy and able to carry

out the physical tasks our volunteers assist us with on a daily basis.

QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS

No specific skills or previous experience are required for volunteers. However,

volunteers need to be dedicated and hard working. Caring for wild animals is a

physically demanding task.

LANGUAGE

The staff at CROW predominantly speak English.

CLINIC VOLUNTEER WORK

Clinic volunteers assist CROW staff with the day to day

running of the centre. Main activities include feeding and caring

for the animals, ensuring their enclosures are cleaned on a daily

basis and helping the team with general maintenance around the

grounds. Daily enrichment and stimulation programmes for the

animal patients is also a crucial activity volunteers assist us with.

Those volunteers that are willing and able are also given the

opportunity to assist staff on wildlife rescues and releases,

wherever possible.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Each day starts with a cup of coffee and a team meeting to lay out the plan for

the day ahead as well as individual task allocation.

A Typical Day in the Life of a CROW Volunteer

Please note that the below is just provided to give you a general idea. Every

day at CROW will be different!

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In terms of daily food preparation: The CROW centre

accommodates a wide range of animals including carnivores

which need to be fed protein/meat. Vegetarian volunteers need to

be aware that food preparation will include the cutting up of meat

and poultry for these animals.

CROW’s staff will ensure volunteers are prepped in safety

procedures if and when they assist with rescues and releases in

the field. For those volunteers who do not wish to participate in

rescues and releases, please note this is not mandatory and you can elect not to go.

•Volunteers report for duty07H00

•Morning meeting with staff and volunteers to plan the day ahead07H00 - 07H15

•Morning feeding & cleaning Session (Preparing food for all animals and assisting Clinic Nurses with feeding

the animals and cleaning out their enclosures) Assisting with rescues and releases as needed.07H15 - 09H00

•Volunteers' mid-morning Tea Break09H00 - 09H15

•Volunteers assist CROW Clinic Nurses with catching animals that are going to be released, prepping empty

enclosures for new arrivals, any ad hoc repair and maintenance tasks. Assisting with rescues and releases

as needed.

09H15 - 10H30

•Volunteers assist with daily animal enrichment activities such as gathering natural greens, berries and bugs

to supplement animals' diets & making a variety of natural treats and stimulating "toys" for the animals

from natural materials. Assisting with rescues and releases as needed.

10H30-12H00

•Volunteer Lunch Hour12H00 - 13H00

•Afternoon feeding & cleaning session (Preparing food for all animals and assisting Clinic Nurses with

feeding the animals and cleaning out enclosures) Assisting with rescues and releases as needed.13H00 - 15H00

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PR AND MARKETING VOLUNTEER WORK

In addition to clinic volunteer

placements, CROW also welcomes

volunteers who wish to assist the

organisation with public relations,

marketing and fundraising. These

volunteers will work closely with

CROW’s Director and Marketing and

Communications Officer. We also accept

students who are looking to do an

internship in the above mentioned

fields.

Some of the duties you would perform are:

• Assisting with daily updates on CROW’s social media platforms

• Updating and maintaining CROW’s website

• Researching and writing press releases for local online and print media houses

• Assist with the planning and delivery of PR fundraising events

• Assist with database management and newsletters

• Taking photos of CROW patients upon admission, during rehabilitation and

on releases

• Taking videos of CROW patients upon admission, during rehabilitation and

on releases

• Storyboard and design marketing and awareness campaigns

PR and marketing volunteers will be required to work as a clinic volunteer for at least

their first 4 days upon arrival. This helps to give volunteers a better understanding of

the organisation. You will therefore be required to bring with you everything that a

clinic volunteers needs to bring. It is also advisable that you bring along a laptop so

that you will be able to perform the tasks that will be required of you. If you do not

have a laptop, please advise us before your arrival so that we can make the necessary

arrangements to have a pc available you. Please also be sure to bring clothes that are

appropriate to wear for PR events.

ACCOMMODATION

CROW has a large volunteer house situated on the grounds of the centre.

There are separate male and female bedrooms and bathrooms in the house with

communal living areas. The volunteer house comfortably sleeps up to 10 people and

is furnished with basic equipment and cleaned once a week. Volunteers are

responsible for doing their own laundry (facilities are provided) and keeping the

house clean and tidy.

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All volunteers are expected to cook and eat together in the volunteer house. A

weekly roster is drawn up and easy to follow recipes are provided to help those who

need them. A weekly shopping list is compiled according to the planned menus.

Please note that our volunteer fees covers 3 basic meals a day. You will be expected to

purchase any luxury food items yourself.

The centre has internet which is available for the volunteers to use, however,

the wireless booster does not reach the volunteer house. There is a seated area at

CROW’s office where volunteers can access the internet.

CLOTHING

We strongly recommend that you bring old, light and comfortable clothes to

wear during your stay. Bear in mind that the volunteer activities are quite physical

and will be done outdoors so be sure to bring a lightweight raincoat and sunblock

with you just in case. Closed, comfortable shoes are a must!

Please note that volunteers are required to look neat and presentable during

their stay. No inappropriate or revealing clothing will be accepted.

COST AND IMPORTANT INFO

The cost of participating in our volunteer programme is R400 per person, per

day. This covers your 3 basic meals per day as well as all accommodation costs and

volunteering training and supervision.

WHAT TO PACK:

Please remember that you will be

spending the majority of your time

outdoors and Durban has a hot and

humid climate. It does get cooler during

the winter months so a fleece or a warm

jacket for your outdoor work will be

needed.

We recommend that in addition to your normal clothing, you bring the

following with you:

• Walking shoes (trainers will be fine!)

• Warm Jacket/Raincoat

• Day Bag - small rucksack

• Sunhat/Sun cream (at least factor 30 in the summer months)

• Alarm Clock (especially if you’re not an early riser)

• Towels (bath/beach)

• Adapter plugs (3 round pin)

• Toiletries/shower shoes

Average

Temp

30°C/86°F

Average

Humidity

83%

SummerAverage

Temp

20°C/68°F

Average

Humidity

73%

Winter

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• Padlock (lockers are provided in the volunteer house for valuables)

• You do not need bedding, it is provided for you. A sleeping bag is optional. If

bringing your own bedding, the volunteer house has single size beds only.

• A smart/casual outfit and shoes for any special occasions or event

• A pair of gardening gloves

• Camera, binoculars (optional)

• Books, games, cards (optional)

• Personal Discmans, iPods, laptop etc

PLEASE DON’T FORGET:

• Passport & visas where applicable

• Air tickets

• Travel insurance

• Cash & credit cards

• International driver’s license (if you will be renting a car during your stay) –

please note that the old pink British license is not valid in South Africa

• Baggage – advisable to use a rucksack;

• Pocket money

ITEMS YOU CAN BRING TO HELP:

If you have any spare space in your luggage, here are a few items you can bring

with to donate to the centre: Small feeding bottles (available from your local vet or

pet shop and are usually used for domestic kittens and puppies), lambing teats,

heating pads and hot water bottles to use for baby animals.

INOCULATIONS AND MEDICATION:

Rabies and tetanus inoculations may be required, but please check this with

your local doctor and take his/her advice. Speak to your travel clinic with regards to

malaria prophylaxis – Durban is not in a malaria area but you might like to travel to

other areas in the province that are. It is also recommended that your bring a small

first aid kit with your regular medication and general items you might require while

away from home – speak to your pharmacist about suggestions.

PLEASE NOTE:

Mobile phones do operate with full reception and it is recommended that you

bring one with you. SIM cards are cheap and readily available. You will need to

ensure your phone is unlocked to be able to use this. Please speak to your mobile

service provider about their policies and charges for setting up international phone

services during your stay at CROW.

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UPON ARRIVAL

Please book your flights so that you arrive in Durban on a Sunday between

07h00 and 16h00. Please note it is your responsibility to arrange your transfer from

the airport to CROW. We strongly recommend that you use Strelitzia Tours to get to

our centre as they are safe, reliable and offer all CROW volunteers a discounted fee of

R450.00. (Most taxis charge R600.00 plus)

U

Upon arrival at the CROW centre, our team will greet you and help you get

settled in the volunteer house. Thereafter, once you’ve had a chance to unpack /

freshen-up you will receive an induction session which will include a tour of the

centre and an introduction to the CROW team. Please note that if you arrive late in

the day, this will take place the following morning. Similarly, if there is an emergency

case on the day of your arrival we will ask you to bare with us until the situation is

attended too, thereafter you will be given your induction session as soon as possible.

Should you have any questions or queries regarding our volunteer

programme, please do not hesitate to contact CROW’s Marketing & Communications

Officer, Paul Hoyte on info@crowkzn.co.za or +27 (0)31 462 1127.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

CROW is situated on the east coast of South Africa, in the province of

KwaZulu-Natal. Located just outside of Durban city in the residential suburb of

Yellowwood Park, CROW is about a 40 minute drive from Durban’s King Shaka

International Airport.

The centre lies close to the Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve, a small

protected reserve of 253 hectares. The reserve offers fine examples of coastal forest

and grassland habitats and includes many species of wildlife and over 200 bird

species. There are 13 km of nature walks and a pleasant picnic site is available with a

stunning castle as a backdrop.

You can take a taxi to town. CROW will provide you with the numbers for safe

taxi services that give discounts to volunteers. There is a small shopping complex

within walking distance from the CROW centre which includes a supermarket, post

Contact details for Strelitzia Tours: Tel: +27 (0)31 579 5681 or via

email info@strelitziatours.com

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office, and an internet cafe. A safe is available at the main office should you wish to

lock away any valuables.

ABOUT DURBAN

Durban Metro is Africa's ultimate coastal playground in the sun! The

enchanting, vibrant, historic city and townships of Durban are very cosmopolitan

and offers an idyllic outdoor lifestyle in a subtropical climate. Durban is Africa's

largest and busiest port and the economic powerhouse of the province. Durban is

also ideally situated as a departure point to many of the Province’s fine tourist

attractions, among which the majestic Drakensberg mountains; the world-famous

Big 5 Game Reserves of Zululand, history-drenched Battlefields where the Zulu’s

fought both the British and the Afrikaners; the Midlands Meander route and a resort-

dotted coastline that stretches seemingly forever in both directions.

The Durban seafront is known as The Golden Mile, offering golden beaches

and the warm Indian Ocean current. Beaches are protected year round by shark nets

and expert lifeguards. It is a location for excellent surfing and at the end of the mile is

the uShaka Marine World, spanning over 15

hectares of prime beach front, is Africa’s

largest Marine Theme Park. uShaka Sea

World incorporates a unique shipwreck-

themed aquarium (one of the five largest in

the world), a 1,200-seater dolphin stadium, a

seal pool and penguin rockery- and interactive

activities in the dive tank, snorkel reef, and

touch pool.

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Thank you for offering your help in the

rehabilitation of injured, orphaned and

displaced wildlife. We look forward to

welcoming you to the CROW family!

the Best cage is an Empty cage!