Basecamp International Centers asked:


The Natural Protected Areas Administration of the Natural Resources Institute (INRENA), part of the Ministry of Agriculture, is responsible for the administration and management of the protected areas system. Its policies are based on the Natural Protected Areas Law and related regulations. INRENA is represented throughout the country and has received recognition by the sectors involved in natural resource management and nature protection. Sandoval Park Station in Tambopata needs volunteers to teach the Park Rangers English, also to help them in their patrol in the reserve Area of Sandoval.

Volunteers can assist by doing following tasks:-

Working in the office orientating travelers and hikers before they enter the jungle; involves some paper work, observations and speeches and interpretation of living and trekking through the area. To register the entrance of local and foreign visitors in the Park Ranger Station. To assist in the monthly statistics of the number of visitors coming to Sandoval Lake through Travel Agencies. To inform visitors of the basic rules to be respected in the park and inform visitors of the parks objectives and functions. Teach english to the Park Rangers as they receive many tourists and communication can be difficult between them. One of the cabins works as an office for tourists. Volunteers can also work going with the Park Rangers in the forest to do patrols, controlling the growing of exotic plants and doing reports that have to be transferred to the head office in Puerto Maldonado. To sketch engineering designs for a bridge which needs to be repaired on the main trail. Assisting in general cleaning and cooking duties at the post control. Volunteers must be of age20 or above with minimum education of undergraduation.

Volunteers with the following special skills are preferred for the placement:-
Teacher - English Teacher - Geography Teacher - Environmental Science Forestry Environmental Science Biology Data Collection Waste Management Statistics .

Basecamp International Centers welcomes all the interested volunteers from around the world to volunteer and make a difference. If you are interested in this placement then please contact us for the details:

 Email: info@basecampcenters.com

 Website: www.basecampcenters.com

 Mailing Address 298 Bagot Street, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7K 3B4

Phone: 613.541.7862

Toll Free : 866.646.4693

Fax: 613.541.1604

 



HERIBERTO

Tanah Hadijah asked:


After a night at Mt Gorilla Nest lodge, it was a breaking day light on the 15th Saturday of December when a Led a Gorilla tour of 4 people from Abacus African Vacations. A cold gentle wind blew over Ruhengeri town, facing the Virunga Volcanoes. It is here that the where main Rwanda tourism offices are located so I handed in the Gorilla permits the group I led that was supposed to track Gorillas in Perc Des National Volcans. In our itinerary we were to Visit both Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla National Parks.

After interactions between the tourists, permit issuing officers, determining who is in the right condition for the most difficult trek and briefing about regulations from the ranger guides, the long awaited adventure commenced.

Since we had opted to trek the Susa group which is referred to as the furthest family in Perc des National Volcans , which was referred to as the farthest and most difficult to find, we felt the rain was doing us a favour by making them dormant.

We trekked through the thick vegetation, which the rain made rationally impassable. Several times the wet, slippery grass saw many of the trackers slipping and sliding, with some holding on to trees for support. After persevering for 6 hours, hiking several metres over 3500, the ranger guides advised that we had to sit only to find that we were completely surrounded by the group. The rangers grunted to guarantee that the silverbacks were friendly and as a sign of acknowledgement of friendliness, the silverbacks grunted in return. In effect, the rangers were conversing with the gorillas. With gorillas sitting all around and the babies swinging playfully in’ the low trees and one playful baby holding on to a tourist’s shoes, the one-hour view of the wider nasal cavity, broad chest, black shaggy hair with silverback males striking a contrast, we were amazed. It was a truly exhilarating experience and something I will remember for the rest of my life.

We later transferred to Gorilla resort Camp in Bwindi where we experienced the Virungas in Uganda. Our tour guides briefed us about what we had to do the next day. The next morning, we assembled at the starting point ready to go and track the Habinyanja Group. We started the walks but as others followed Wildlife rangers led the group as we began to file down the weather beaten path on a very steep hill that was covered with thick bushes, tall trees, and a few banana plants. A heavy down pour the previous night had left the path so slippery and most of the ladies were screaming for help as we were sliding and rolling on our bottoms down the steep slopes though it wasn’t smooth sailing for the guys either as one kept on falling when my hiking boots failed to stick in the mud and sent me sprawling down the hill. Sweating, swearing with groans of Fatigue, we continued given the cheer of the anticipation of the now looming encounter with the gorilla-Uganda’s most popular attraction!

An hour after the walk, we came across some mud and wattle houses surrounded by Banana gardens, pawpaw trees and passion fruits plants. Women and children abandoned their chores and starred at us. Some of us talked to them as a few of them were yelling at the whites we were tracking with saying-Muzungu a Swahili word that means the white man. We were given a five minutes break before we proceeded which we used to take water and take off jackets. . One of the guides Chris informed us that the hard part was yet to begin from the point where we were standing so he advised that we had to proceed without out bags or any luggage we felt was heavy to ensure the fact that we were light. We reached a certain point and the guide told us that the gorillas had been there a few hours ago. He spoke on his Radio Call and spoke to his colleagues.

Faster we moved only stopping to wait for those we had been waiting for that had relaxed to catch their breath. Closer the gorillas got as we could see a few of them sitting majestically and motionless in tree branches watching us. This was a signal that our efforts and determinations were about to pay off. We crossed a small river in one lip. So exhausted and excited, we crouched down and crowled closer to the gorillas in a total silence. Finally they came closer in a full view of Gorillas - over 20 of them –a mind-boggling sight! Two silver-backs sitting next to each other at the head of the group while other huddled together closely behind in silent stares as our ranger grunted to make them move closer. The bigger silver backs suddenly stood on fours and stiffened as one of the gorillas named Africa refused to sit with the group or even move with them. Eventually he left the bush and sat in the path behind us. We moved aside to let it join the others but all in vain. He could move behind us and whenever we could stop, he could stop as well so the rangers told us that he was trying to show the Silver backs that he too could lead and he wanted to make sure that all was well. But later he joined his family. Four one hour, we watched infants playing on this mothers’ bellies as the juveniles were somersaulting. Finally, it was time to retrace our paths back as we had three hours of climbing again………

Not even the drenching rain that poured halfway into our journey back could dampen our spirits. It was a memory I would never forget!

Rwanda has eight groups of gorillas. Each group has a strict social structure based on age, indicated by how a young one will check out of an eating point, playing space or sleeping area in. a particular area for the elder. Five groups are the ones typically seen during trekking. These are identified differently according to the numbers that constitute a group. Sabinyo group has 11, Sussa has 39 after the death of a baby gorilla on January 12th, Amahoro has 14, Umubano has 8 and group number 13 includes 17gorillas.

Though most times tourists desire to track Susa because of its large gorilla composition, Francis says numbers do not mean a thing.

Each family of gorillas is peculiar for instance; one group may have most playful children or an easy to interact with silverback, another biggest silverback among other behaviors that make tracking each group an exclusive experience. Nevertheless, seeing a particular group very much depends on where it is that day as gorillas are always on the move in search of food and safety.

By high merit of their habitat, Francis added, gorillas do not ~ have many predators. Apart from the buffaloes, golden monkeys and elephants that share and live in synchronization with the gorillas in lower altitudes, gorillas live in cold conditions which other animals cannot stand, providing them a monopoly of the mountain areas. Francis explained that they are able to live in such cold conditions because of their black colour pigment. “The black colour helps to attract and trap heat in the high altitudes of the mountains and at the same time makes gorillas less susceptible to heat stroke as they love sun bathing. Gorillas in this region can live up to 45 years with the silverbacks weighing about 200kg and females between 80 to 120kg.”

The diet of mountain gorillas largely consists of shrubbery.

The writers aim of getting involved in the gorilla tracking was also to study and analyse the diets of the Mountain gorilla and the constituents. She found out that Gorilla food constitutes of over 50 different plants, whose leaves, shoots and stems are eaten. For shoots, the gorillas benefit from mainly the rainy season mountain bamboos, when green and still tender, eaten with trocatea plants. The writer noticed that because the bamboo shoots are 84% water, the extra trocatea, tsile’s leaves, celery’s stem without the tree bark, young bamboo leaves, stems, urela cameronesis’ leaves and stem bark, flowers and roots, and dry season black berries grown on high altitude, provides a nutritious delicacy. Plus the bark of eucalyptus trees is also eaten especially by Ssusas of Rwanda, the largest gorilla group, for medicinal purposes. The male dominant gorilla also known as the silverback is particularly skilled in his knowledge of herbal plants and it is known that when one of his group members fall sick, the silverback will often lead the group to another sector of the park to find a particular herb and hearten the sick member of the group to eat it.

The writer learnt that Eating also depends on the prevailing situation in a group and the weather. Normally gorillas have three intervals of rest between each feeding, which amounts to 40% of their total time per day. However, if they have migrated in an area that has plenty of food, they will feed and then rest for longer periods compared to times and movement into a sector of limited food availability. In addition, if it’s raining heavily they become dormant; active again when it stops.

After getting pleasure from the larking about of the young gorillas and the sheer size of the male, with the one hour view apparent like 15 minutes, we headed back down the mountain to a hot coffee and a well-earned rest.



DEWEY

aaggarwal asked:


At Tour Passion, we show you the BEST OF INDIA!

India is a diverse experience. The mystique of India, its history, religions, fabulous historical monuments such as the Taj Mahal, art and culture, have all attracted visitors from time immemorial, to find India’s experience unforgettable. We are today one of India’s premier destination management companies. It all started, with the need to create, a travel service with a difference. A travel agency which would provide complete Travel Solutions to its clients. An agency which would do more than just take clients form Destination-A to Destination-B. An agency that could provide luxury whilst still being competetively priced.

Today we handle the most discerning clients from across the world. We have successfully handled groups of upto a 100 passengers with special interests as varied as colonial architecture, Indian cookery, wildlife viewing and adventure.….

We at Tour Passion believe service begins with simple relationships: agent and traveller, agency and client. We welcome you to discover our world.

http://www.wildlife-of-india.com



MACK

asked:


Thinking of wildlife safari? Africa has got it all. Nearly a hundred percent of its reserves and wildlife sanctuaries feature wildlife of some sort. However, the coverage of wildlife species and the varieties that you may see differ as the region changes.

Wildlife aside, safari would only be composed of a number of plant species, of terrain and of strange creatures like insects, bugs and the likes. Without the animals, African safaris would be reduced into a haven of sedentary and rarely moving species. Without the animal of the safaris, ecosystems would not exist. In a sense, animals add to the beauty that life in Africa may present. They give meaning. They add excitement. And they encourage tourism.

It is thought that African safaris started to become famous when the hunt for animals boomed sometime in the nineteenth century. This is because men then were perceived bold enough if they can kill wild animals right in their habitats and in action. This activity provides them a bag full of hunting trophies that adorned the walls of their libraries.

These days, a great thanks to movements for wildlife, hunting is restricted to many areas of African safaris. Nonetheless, there are still areas where slaughtering of wild animals are allowed. Because of the banning, travelers are now limited to only watch the animals hunt each other, predators to prey, and experience the exchange of life and death among them. Some of us still see hunting as a sport though.

The most famous of the animals in safari are known to be the big five which includes rhinoceros, lion, buffalo, leopard and the elephant. Why they became to be, no body is sure. Why other equally wonderful animals are not included in the list remains to be a mystery. It’s safe to presume that that’s simply the way hunters prefer it.

Adding to the big five are plain animals and mammals that coexist with each other. Some being the prey. Some being the predators. Nonetheless, they all take their parts in the circle of life. They give life.

Though not really considered animals, it is still worth saying that there are thousands of insect species, bugs, butterflies, and other moving creatures found in the African safaris. However large or big they can get won’t really matter. They still balance wildlife and they aid in continuing the existence of ecosystems in African safaris.

Some people say, once human intervene with this natural process, even only for once, he may intervene with the succeeding years and life of the species that live in the safaris. And this seem to be true. Sudden and gradual fluctuations of population in the safaris are very much affected by the minute actions of the animals and other living things that exist in it.

We have created brief descriptions of the top five Tanzanians wildlife safaris that rank near the top of the list in all Africa. Please read on.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The worse you can call Ngorongoro is amazing. That would be more than that, there is definitely not a word that can describe this conservation area.

Ngorongoro is the home of the largest caldera on earth. With walls reaching to 2200 meters high, this is fairly equal to Mount Kilimanjaro before the eruption. Thus the consideration for it being one of the world’s natural wonders.

The caldera itself is not a plain heap of land that stood on its place and make people amazed. No. In fact, once the caldera settled, it began to create pools of water that attract some 30,000 wildlife species at any given time. More like a Garden of Eden, Ngorongoro harbors the largest congregation of games in the entire earth.

Tarangire National Park

When you want to see large herds of elephants with accompanying buffaloes, your best bet would be the Tarangire. The number of elephants concentrating here is almost 600 individuals during the peak season.

However, less tourists visit here since they are attracted to neighboring national parks such as the magnificent Serengeti and the mighty Ngorongoro. The dry season harbors the largest population of elephants along with other enormous animals and plain beasts, which benefit from the vast water resources of the Tarangire River. They disperse during winter though.

Lake Manyara National Park

Ask anything about Lake Manyara and collect them all in one heap, tree climbing lions will emerge as the top answer. It is true. Climbing lions that prefer sleeping the day up on the tree branches than lying comfortably in the grasslands as all other lions do.

While it gather its fame from the strangely dispositioned lions, it is also popular for its large congregation of lake birds such as the pelicans, Egyptian geese, storks, quelea, flamingos and cormorants.

You may also find the usual wildlife species here complemented by the rare animals such as the lord of the forest- Sykes monkey and the Olive baboon.



ROBIN

rahul asked:


Rajasthan wildlife tour is one of the most exotic tours to Rajasthan as this Indian state is endowed with myriad treasures- desert in one side and greeneries on the other side. The fertile lands and hills of Rajasthan house two national parks-Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve and one bird sanctuary namely Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary or Keoladeo Ghana National park. Well-designed Rajasthan tours always include the wildlife sanctuaries of the state yet a complete wildlife tour is a more fascinating one.

Booking a Rajasthan Tours Package, wildlife enthusiasts can explore all the national parks of the state. Here a brief description of the parks:



Ranthambore National Park located in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan is one of the most visited wildlife parks in India. The main attractions of Ranthambore National Park are its tiger and bird population. The main faunas of Ranthambore are Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common or Hanuman langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, Caracals, Sloth bears, Black bucks, Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara, Common Palm Civets or Toddy cat, Coomon Yellow Bats, Desert Cats, Fivestriped Palm Squirrels, Indian False Vampires, Indian Flying Foxes, Indian Foxes, Indian Gerbilles, Indian Mole Rats, Indian Porcupines, Longeared Hedgehogs, Ratels, Small Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose. Various species of reptiles are also found in this park.

Dotted on the valleys of the mountains of Aravali, Sariska Tiger Reserve is a world known wildlife destination in Alwar district of Rajasthan and a must visit on one’s Rajasthan tour. This park is an erstwhile hunting ground of the Maharajas. The wild animals of the park are Leopard, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Jackal, and Tiger. A good population of Sambar, Chitel, Nilgai, Chausingha, Wild Boar and Langur are also found in this park. Rhesus Monkeys are found in large numbers around Talvriksh. The birdlife includes Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Tree Pie, Golden backed Wood Pecker, Crested Serpent Eagle and the Great Indian Horned Owl.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is one of the most renowned bird sanctuaries in the world. Bharatpur birdlife is very rich. Officially known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, this is home to various species of aquatic birds. One will sure spot here Egrets, Siberian Cranes, migratory Water Fowl and other species of birds.

As a part of Rajasthan wildlife tour itinerary tourist can explore other heritage cities of this colorful state. Rajasthan tour is always fascinating-be it a wildlife or heritage.



DONNELL

Basecamp International Centers asked:


The Natural Protected Areas Administration of the Natural Resources Institute (INRENA), part of the Ministry of Agriculture, is responsible for the administration and management of the protected areas system. Its policies are based on the Natural Protected Areas Law and related regulations. INRENA is represented throughout the country and has received recognition by the sectors involved in natural resource management and nature protection. Sandoval Park Station in Tambopata needs volunteers to teach the Park Rangers English, also to help them in their patrol in the reserve Area of Sandoval.

Volunteers can assist by doing the following tasks:

Working in the office orientating travelers and hikers before they enter the jungle; involves some paper work, observations and speeches and interpretation of living and trekking through the area. To register the entrance of local and foreign visitors in the Park Ranger Station. To assist in the monthly statistics of the number of visitors coming to Sandoval Lake through Travel Agencies. To inform visitors of the basic rules to be respected in the park and inform visitors of the parks objectives and functions.

Other tasks that you may be requested to preform outside of your core duties:

 Teach english to the Park Rangers as they receive many tourists and communication can be difficult between them. One of the cabins works as an office for tourists. Volunteers can also work going with the Park Rangers in the forest to do patrols, controlling the growing of exotic plants and doing reports that have to be transferred to the head office in Puerto Maldonado. To sketch engineering designs for a bridge which needs to be repaired on the main trail. Assisting in general cleaning and cooking duties at the post control. Volunteers with the following specific skills are preferred for this placement: Teacher - English Teacher - Geography Teacher - Environmental Science Forestry Environmental Science Biology Data Collection Waste Management Statistics

Basecamp International Centers welcomes all the interested volunteers from around the world to volunteer and make a difference. If you are interested in this placement then please contact us for the details:

 Email: info@basecampcenters.com    

Website: www.basecampcenters.com

 Mailing Address

298 Bagot Street,

Kingston, Ontario,

Canada, K7K 3B4

 

Phone: 613.541.7862

Toll Free : 866.646.4693

Fax: 613.541.1604



SHANNON

Jadiete Collinns asked:


India boasts of a rich wildlife reserve and the wildlife Sanctuaries in India are its ideal showcase. The diverse variety of wildlife in India, ranging from the majestic tigers, beautiful peacocks and the mammoth elephants find a secure asylum in the wildlife sanctuaries in India. There is no dearth of Indian wildlife sanctuaries. Almost all the major Indian states have them and some are also involved in the commendable task of conserving and preserving the endangered animal species. If you are too much into facts and figures, then it will help you to know that there are 80 National Parks, 441 sanctuaries and 23 tiger reserves that have been set up across India with the active support and direct involvement of the Government of India. If you have a suppressed desire to embark on India Wildlife tours and are wondering where to hunt for the authentic inputs, then wildlife tour operators in India will serve as a ready help.

If you are a person driven by an adrenalin rush, then the Wildlife sanctuaries in India will give you the much sought-after thrill and excitement. The sanctuaries not only offer a fascinating diversity of flora and fauna but you will also be left speechless by the diversity in the topography. Wildlife in India is varied and the best places to appreciate this diversity are the wildlife sanctuaries in India. These sanctuaries not only rank high as the ideal getaways for the wildlife enthusiasts but are veritable lures for the nature lovers as well. Kerala, in particular, boasts of a good number of sanctuaries among which mention must be made of Idukki Wildlife Sanctuaury, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Bird Sanctuary and the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary impresses with its amazing array of wild animals that comprise of Elephants, Bison, Sambhar, Deer, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Tiger, Wild Boar and reptiles such as Cobra, Viper and Krait. Among the birds, you can spot such varieties as the Jungle Fowl, Myna, Bulbul, Kingfisher and Woodpecker. A mix of the tropical, a mixture of deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen trees, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for the overwhelming presence of mammals, birds, reptiles, ambhibians, fishes and birds.

Karnataka should ideally be the next in choice when it comes to the best Indian wildlife sanctuaries. The best part about the wildlife sanctuaries here is that they are in perfect harmony with the unspoilt beauty of Nature. There are sanctuaries that serve as secure havens for wide ranging mammals, whereas others, like the Nagarhole National Park, are reputed for the Cobras, crocodiles, kraits, pythons, vipers, and several species of lizards that they shelter. If you are more inclined towards bird viewing then you will just have to grab hold of a binocular to spot bird species like common babbler, bee-eater, bulbul, dove, crested serpent, hornbill, Malabar pied, alexandrine, peacock, woodpecker, warbler, great Indian reed, eagle, crested hawk, golden-back parakeet, and the southern tree pie.

Your India wildlife tours are likely to remain inconclusive without touring the other major wildlife sanctuaries that include the Sasangir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat, The Nagarjunasagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary in Haryana and the Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary in Orissa.



ROCKY

Jadiete Collins asked:


India is the large country with diverse landscapes with extremes on the land limits. India lies on the southern hemisphere with surrounded by almost on three sides. On the north of India, it has one of the mightiest mountain range, The Himalayas. On the other hand, India has a long coastline ranging up to 7000km. This diversity in landforms is also blessed with diversity of flora and fauna in India.

India is characterized with unique richness and diversity of its vegetation and wildlife. India’s dense forest reserves are the perfect abode for its equally dense wildlife which includes about 350 mammal species, more than 1200 species of birds in nearly 2100 forms and more than 30,000 species of insects. Besides this, there is rich wealth of marine life having number of species of fish, amphibian and reptiles. More than 75 national parks, 425 sanctuaries cover over 4.5% of India’s geographical area. Indian wildlife has got important place in its rich heritage and culture. Many animals and plants are worshipped and are regarded as the companions in India.

Number of national parks and bird sanctuaries mark the India terrain from Ladakh in Himalayas to Southern tip of Tamil Nadu. In India, these parks and sanctuaries are reserved areas where no human activity can take place, regularized under the special act. These special areas are maintained for the conservation of endangered species of wildlife in India. Bengal Tigers, the Asiatic Elephant, Lion, the Snow Leopard and Siberian Crane are the endangered species in India. These conservation efforts are paying off as there is regular increase in population of wild Elephant, tiger and leopard.

Jim Corbett national Park in the foothills of Himalayas is the first national park of India having great variety of mammals and over 585 bird species. You can explore in their natural habitat big mammals like elephant, sambhar, swamp deer, cheetal, wild boar, tiger, panther, hyena, black bear, sloth bear, Great Indian one horned rhinoceros, golden langur, wolf, cats in foothills of Himalayas and western Himalayas.

The most reputed are the Kanha national park and Bandhavgarh national park in central India having dense forests and dense population of wildlife. Kanha houses the largest original tiger reserves. Species of swamp deer are found in Kanha National Park and Dudhwa national park in Uttar Pradesh. Most of the national parks and sanctuaries are found in northern part of India but South India too has its portion e.g. Madumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur Tiger reserves, Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka. Each sanctuary and national park supports several species of wildlife, while at the same time, some are well known for one particular species. In some wildlife sanctuaries in India you can even see rare or endangered species.

To explore Wildlife in India, one can take advantage of various wildlife tour packages offered by many tour operators in India. Some of India’s famous wildlife sanctuaries and national parks include :

Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand)

Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan)

Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan)

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Rajashtan)

Kaziranga National Park (Assam)

Manas National Park (Assam)

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (Kerala)

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)

Sunderban Tiger Reserve (West Bengal)

Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh)

Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh)

Panna National Park (Madhya Pradesh)

Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat)

Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh)

Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh)



RUBIN