Alumni Spotlight: Helen Miller

I came across the ALERT volunteer organisation whilst searching the Internet for 'volunteering' and 'working with lions.' It appeared to offer exactly the sort of experience I was looking for. The ALERT organisation offered a range of activities that sounded appealing, including working with the community, particularly the schools. I liked their values and principles and the fact that there is a definite purpose to their programme, which ultimately results in release back into a protected environment for endangered species. It was clear how my money was used and the costs for the trip were transparent. No hidden extras.

The day to day activities were very well organized and it was this level of attention that made the trip for us. Each day was split into three parts. There was an early start each day at 6.50am for the day's briefing and to talk the volunteers through each of the activities. The first activity usually centered around lion welfare and included walking them, preparing their meat for the day, cleaning out the enclosures, and maintenance. This would last from 7-9 am. All the volunteers regrouped for breakfast until 10.00am.

The next activity slot was from 10-12.30 and included walking a different set of lions, perhaps with paying clients, working with the older lions on the next stage of rehabilitation programmes, or visiting the school and working with the children, teaching them reading and writing skills. Lunch was a group affair again and lasted from 12.30- 2.30. It was nice because it enabled us to have a bit of chill time, sitting out in the garden chatting, catching up on sleep, writing in diaries etc.

The final session was from 2.30- 5.30 and could include going out in the jeeps on elephant research, or back to the forest on lion research and counting the game in the release site (I was never very good at that as wildebeest tend to hide behind each other), perhaps going into Livingstone or visiting Victoria Falls etc. Provided you let the volunteer leader know if you wanted to go on trips, you were free to do what you please and they would help with the arrangements. We chose not to as we loved the experience with the lions so much and as a result we became confident with them quite quickly and bonded with one or two. The photo opportunities were fantastic particularly when you were involved with cub enrichment, in the closures, with the lion handlers. The lion handlers were fantastically knowledgeable and were so interested in our culture and lifestyles, too.

I now realize that after 30 years of working in the caring professions and in a very stressful management position, I no longer want that type of lifestyle. I am looking for opportunities to work with animals. It's where my heart is. The whole concept of being the dominant pride leader fascinated me. The principles of calm, assertiveness and confidence can be applied successfully to so many areas in life. Animal psychology really intrigues me. The lions are more like dogs than cats in the group behaviors. I've worked with tigers too in the past and they are more cat like. I therefore shall be looking for a complete career change next year where I intend to work with animals. We would also love to return if there was a particular project we could help with and perhaps spend a longer time out there. The community is just crying for an exchange of skills and there may be opportunities for this in the future. I also know of a friend who is studying for a degree in Zoology and this would be a perfect setting and experience for him. Wish I'd had this sort of opportunity at his age!