Video of the day: flying rhinos

By AOL Travel, Dec 29, 2011
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Travel News

Flying Rhinos from Green Renaissance on Vimeo.

Ever seen a flying rhino? Well here's your chance! This video shows how 19 of these endangered animals were recently moved from South Africa's Eastern Cape to a conservation location in the province of Limpopo.

Hanging a sleeping rhino by the ankles through the air is tricky, but the team of conservation managers, vets andcapture teams all worked together to ensure the success of this translocation mission....

The airlift capture technique, which is still relatively new, was used to transport the black rhinos out of inaccessible locations and back to safety.

With an average commute of just 10 minutes or so by helicopter, one of the advantages of flying the black rhinos like this is that they don't need to be drugged for very long. The WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project has created seven significant black rhino populations over the last eight years--nearly 120 black rhinos have been translocated due to these efforts.

Volunteer your way around the world

Help children in Nepal
 Want to spend some time in the beautiful Himalayan mountain city of Pokhara, Nepal, helping to improve the quality of life and opportunities for disadvantaged children and adults? Volunteers support several locally run schools and organisations. You can contribute by volunteering on a range of teaching, child care and health support projects in Pokhara and Bhalam village, in an orphanage, at a street children’s centre, or in local primary school, middle school and village schools. Prices start at £695 for the first 3 weeks. For more details visit <a href="http://www.podvolunteer.org/Child-care-and-orphanages/child-care-and-teaching-nepal.htm" target="_blank">podvolunteer.org</a>
Work with cheetah in South Africa
 This project is an amazing opportunity to work hands-on with cheetah and help save the species from the very real possibility of extinction. Volunteers work closely with the cheetah on a daily basis and as the project is set on a 350 hectare reserve it provides the chance to learn about wildlife and conservation in Africa.  The project lasts between two and four weeks and costs from £945. For more information, visit: <a href="http://www.podvolunteer.org/Animals/cheetah-re-introduction-south-africa.html" target="_blank">podvolunteer.org.</a>
Try marine conservation in the Seychelles
 Scuba dive and join marine research projects in one of the world’s most pristine environments. As an expedition member joining the team on this marine conservation & research project in the Seychelles, you will spend your time diving upon the coral reef, collecting characterisation, and monitoring identification and abundance data on invertebrates and fish species. The expedition base is set within the Cap Ternay Marine National Park, on the west coast of the main island, Mahe. This is an amazing opportunity to work in an untouched area. You will also be able to increase your dive qualifications to PADI Advanced Diver and take some PADI Speciality courses. Go to: <a href="http://www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/2280/marine-conservation-project-in-seychelles" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">www.responsibletravel.com</a> for more information.
Do some community development in Peru
 For an immersive encounter that few travellers get to experience, you this is a chance to volulunteer to work with a Peruvian community. Help build efficient traditional Peruvian cooking stoves, work with a local women's weaving co-operative. At the same time, you can experience the iconic highlights of the Andes. The 11-day 'voluntour' also means you can explore the ruins of Ollantaytambo and climb the challenging Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Gain a unique perspective on local culture in a rural community in the Sacred Valley. Price £895. Visit <a href="http://www.gapadventures.com">gapadventures.com</a>
Be a wildlife rescuer in Thailand
 Work as a volunteer at a Wildlife Rescue Centre based on temple grounds near Thayang in the South of Thailand, where you'll be helping to care for an amazing variety of wild animals including gibbons, bears, a crocodile and a tiger. The wildlife rescue centre's aim is to save wild animals and their habitat from destruction. The project focuses on rehabilitating captive or domesticated animals, and in some cases preparing them for a reintroduction to their natural habitats. The centre currently houses more than 200 rescued animals including gibbons, various species of macaque, lorises, civets, bears, a crocodile and a tiger. Visit <a href="http://www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/4247/volunteering-in-thailand-wildlife-rescue-centre">responsibletravel.com</a> for more details.
Teach children on a Kenyan safari
 Volunteer with primary and pre-schools in Limuru, located near Nairobi on this 15-day adventure. As an assistant to the teachers, you will provide extra support and encouragement to the young students, at schools which are often understaffed and underfunded. You may also have the opportunity to participate in a Community Feeding programme, which provides basic food staples to over 300 elderly. Highlights include: volunteering for community projects, experiencing Kenya's best game parks, walking among wildlife at Lake Naivasha, photographing countless flamingoes at Lake Nakuru. Price £1599. Visit <a href="http://www.gapadventures.com">gapadventures.com</a>.
Dive into Thailand's marine life
 Join this marine conservation project on Koh Tao and learn to dive in the crystal clear waters in the Gulf of Thailand to a PADI Open Water Advanced level. Regardless of your dive level you will expand your understanding of the ocean by learning about coral reefs, taking part in reef check dives and other local environmental initiatives. By increasing awareness and involvement, this project aims to decrease our impact on coral reefs and provide solutions to protecting and restoring the reefs around Koh Tao. Volunteers contribute to an ongoing successful island initiative while learning more about conserving our natural environment. Visit: <a href="http://www.podvolunteer.org/Conservation/marine-conservation-thailand.html">podvolunteer.org.</a> Prices start at £785 for 2 weeks (dependent on dive experience).
Rajashathan - Tour and Volunteer
 Join this marine conservation project on Koh Tao and learn to dive in the crystal clear waters in the Gulf of Thailand to a PADI Open Water Advanced level. Regardless of your dive level you will expand your understanding of the ocean by learning about coral reefs, taking part in reef check dives and other local environmental initiatives. By increasing awareness and involvement, this project aims to decrease our impact on coral reefs and provide solutions to protecting and restoring the reefs around Koh Tao. Volunteers contribute to an ongoing successful island initiative while learning more about conserving our natural environment. Visit: <a href="http://www.podvolunteer.org" target="_blank">podvolunteer.org</a>. Prices start at £785 for 2 weeks (dependent on dive experience).
Help turtles in Costa Rica
 The Pacific Sea Turtle Project is a conservation initiative undertaken to protect endangered sea turtles and their nests, and improve the chance for survival of hatchlings on Matapalo Beach. <a href="http://www.gapadventures.com" target="_blank">Gap Adventures</a> runs a 15-day volunteering trip during which you can join vigilant beach patrols and provide other vital resources for the programme. You will patrol for sea turtles laying their eggs, chill out on the beach and watch the waves lap at the coast. You may also spot the elusive quetzal bird. There are opportunities for all sorts of activities, including whitewater rafting. Prices start at £709.
Work with pandas in China
 This unique 14-day itinerary introduces the highlights of the Middle Kingdom, from glittering Shanghai to the imposing capital of Beijing and its Great Wall, while allowing you to give back to the community at the same time. Volunteer at the largest panda reserve in the world. Experience ancient and modern culture in Shanghai and Shaolin, and sample Sichuan cuisine. Highlights include walking Shanghai's streets and along the Great Wall, meeting the Terracotta Warriors, watching Shaolin Monks demonstrate Kung Fu and volunteering at the Panda Breeding Centre. Cost: £1399. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.gapadventures.com">gapadventures.com</a>