It’s THAT time of year again. In the lead up to Christmas, even the sanest among us seem to go a little crazy. The crowds, the costs, the canapés and the cocktail parties... isn’t it just a little too over the top sometimes? This year, wouldn’t it be nice to eschew the traditional family fracas and head off to warmer climes where the guests around the dinner table are a little ‘wilder’ than Aunty Madge flinging off her cardie to a rousing rendition of ‘All I want for Christmas’? Taking time out to volunteer for some animal conservation work in an exotic faraway land is a novel way to spend the festive season and a worthwhile cause to boot.
As well as enjoying some much better weather than at home, during the course of your animal conservation work you will make the acquaintance of some of the most magnificent animals in the world. You will take part in valuable research and monitoring programs; carry out practical duties in the conservation and maintenance of the animals’ habitats; and spend your days working on a wide variety of projects integral to preserving the future of these precious animals.
So, if the thought of setting off on a wildlife adventure and discovering a whole new world appeals a little more than the thought of setting off to your mum’s on Christmas day and discovering another hand knitted sweater under the tree, then you’ve got nothing to lose! But if you DO choose to take a break and head off for some animal conservation work in the festive season, you can’t arrive empty handed. It’s Christmas after all! Before you set off, here are some ideas you might want to consider for a ‘Conservation Christmas Stocking’ for all your new friends.
Elephant Man
Well, these gentle giants are like your Uncle George – pretty much happy with anything that they can put on their head, or put in their mouth! A nice straw trilby could actually serve both needs here, but a gift basket of fruit, a long cool bucket of water and a pack of digestive biscuits will probably go down a little better! In the course of your animal conservation work you may notice the effect of the relentless African sun on your own skin, so spare a thought for the elephant and consider a couple of industrial sized bottles of shea butter body lotion too.
Monkey Boy
There is some wonderful animal conservation work going on at the Colobus Monkey Trust in Kenya, so why not spend a Christmas getting funky with a monkey? These cheeky fellows will put you in mind of your ten year old cousin who’s perfect gift is something for his room or a hip designer school bag, so this should be easy. Why not splash out on a monkey man bag to store those bananas in as they’re swinging through the jungles; or perhaps the latest Phillip Starck banana bean bag to relax in by the river?
Lady Leopard
Never a shrinking violet, the leopard is the designer double of your fashion mad sisters. Head to Sri Lanka for your animal conservation work and you will be put to work on field projects designed to gather valuable data and educate the locals in the importance of living in harmony with these unique ladies (and gentlemen!). Don’t try and fob the girls off with a fake at Christmas though, because nothing but the best will do! These ladies who lunch will adore the latest handbag (plain colours only please) to set off their fabulous furry coats, or perhaps some emerald ‘bling’ to match their gorgeous eyes.
Sporty Cheetah
Not one to make friends easily, the speedy cheetah will nonetheless win your heart if you volunteer for some animal conservation work on the Hoedspruit Cheetah Project in South Africa. Dealing with sick, orphaned and breeding cheetahs, working at Hoedspruit is a truly wild and wonderful experience. Just like your competitive older brother, the cheetah’s ideal present would be something sporty and practical. How about an up to the minute stop watch or a handy digital pedometer; or for those days when the going’s been a little too tough, some meaty chews and a big jar of tiger balm?
No matter where you choose to spend your Christmas conservation holiday abroad, you can be assured that as well as making a memory you will never forget, you will be making a valuable contribution to ensuring the endangered wild animals of the world have a better chance of survival and handing out some great gifts too!
Author Resource:-
Mark Bottell is the General Manager for Worldwide Experience, an online tour operator offering extended breaks focusing on animal conservation work (http://www.worldwideexperience.com/wildlife_conservation_placements.htm) and various adventurous gap years for adults.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://articles2publish.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://articles2publish.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
