Real Gap Experience
Our planet is home to an incredible array of weird and wonderful species, many of which are struggling to survive. In recent years a lethal combination of global warming and urbanisation has left iconic animals such as China’s Giant Pandas, Borneo’s orang-utans and Africa’s lions on the verge of extinction, with many more joining the endangered list. Not only is the dwindling population of rare creatures a sad cultural loss, it also poses a real threat to delicate eco-systems that both human and animals rely on.
With the estimated rate of species extinction at between 100–1,000 times over the expected natural decline, conservation has become an essential element of protecting threatened species, and leading UK gap year company Real Gap are making 2010 their year of animal preservation. This week the company have launched a campaign to recruit more volunteers at the wildlife projects that need it the most, and give travellers what might be their last chance to see some of the planet’s rarest species .*
Real Gap offer hundreds of wildlife volunteer projects in over 45 destinations around the world. To give travellers the opportunity to provide help where it is most needed, Real Gap have selected their top trips where wildlife are in desperate need of care. Whether travellers are looking to save indigenous species in the depths of the Amazon, rescue sea turtles from the clutches of poachers in Sri Lanka or monitor Whale Sharks in the waters of Mozambique, there are plenty of chances to make a difference. Further details of the trips can be found at http://www.realgap.co.uk/
Commenting on the campaign Marketing Manager, Lauren Mackay, was keen to outline the importance of wildlife conservation ‘it’s a sad fact that many species are now facing the daily threat of extinction. We work with hundreds of projects across the globe and our volunteers make a vital contribution to helping vulnerable species. We are passionate about providing help where we can, and increasing awareness of environmental issues at the projects we work with’.
Avid conservationists who book their trip in February can also be in with a chance of knocking a huge-chunk from their flight costs as they will be automatically entered into a competition to win a £500 flight voucher! For more information about the prize draw and other Real Gap trips visit http://www.realgap.co.uk or call 01892 516164 to speak to an expert adviser.
* Figures sourced from http://www.worldwildlife.org/
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
