In the past few months we have been reconsidering which way we want to go. Career wise, but in our case this also means quite literally ‘which way’. Return to Africa, try Asia, explore South America, so many possibilities! We gave up our job in Malawi to do interim management at Chimp Eden in South Africa. We knew this would be temporary, but this was an experience we didn’t want to miss out on. A dream job at this famous sanctuary for a renowned organization. But it also meant that after this project we had to find something new. We decided to do the thinking on the road. Driving through Kruger for a month seeing the most amazing wildlife and then down the South African coast accompanied by whales and dolphins.

Wildlife jobs: comfort versus bush life

We have liked all our wildlife jobs so far. But there’s a massive difference between a field job and an ‘office job’ at a wildlife sanctuary. Like with every job you can think of, there are pros and cons. The releases were extremely rewarding and life in the bush was great, but the days were very long, it was physically challenging and you
definitely miss a social life. The job at Chimp Eden was more social, gave us a chance to use all of our capabilities to the max in a challenging job where a lot could be achieved, which is rewarding in another way. But sometimes you miss the bush life, elephants in your backyard and the direct contact with the animals. But how much did we appreciate a couch to sit on, hot water and a cold beer!!

Between ideals and pay

Our ideal would be a paid management position at a sanctuary where you can still be involved in rescues and other animal work sometimes. Quite specific right? But you have to form an ideal and work from there. We have met people who think it’s weird we’re planning a career. We’re animal people so we’re supposed to just play around with animals a bit, have fun and not expect to ever make any money. That’s strange. Because we want to make a difference, help animals and people, often in ‘difficult’ countries, we’re not supposed to be serious about our jobs and not entitled to a salary? The fact that so little money is available in conservation and animal sanctuaries to pay proper salaries is a whole other subject to be discussed another time, but it’s not right. Nobody is in it to get rich. We would all just like a salary for the hard work we do like everybody else in every other sector.

Different continents and different species

Luckily with the experience we have now, we do have access to the few paid jobs that are available. So what would be next? South America has many possibilities with an upcoming conservation sector, but little paid opportunities yet. North America has many wildlife job opportunities, but getting a visa is quite difficult. Also no wild primates. Same for Australia. Asia has many interesting and well-established organizations and would be a serious option. Africa has it all. Including the chimpanzees and the baboons we love so much. We explored the different opportunities and decided to work with our favourite species in an area that got the worst of everything throughout history. Where animals and people alike really really need a helping hand. In a centre where the people who run it are passionate and caring. Because we believe we can really make a difference there. In Africa. In the Democratic Republic of Congo. In South Kivu. In Lwiro. In the Centre de Rehabilitation des Primates de Lwiro.

We decided to offer our assistance for free. For the reasons mentioned above. And because we are working towards that dream job. A job we love with a salary so we can continue to rescue animals, help people, protect forests and make a positive difference in this world in any way we can! The direction? Still Africa.