AN ANIMAL lover from Kidderminster is urging people to get involved with work to protect animals following an emotional volunteering trip to South Africa.

Debbie Pollard got involved with The First Lions Project, run by the ‘Not for Sissies’ company which works to reintroduce captive lions back into the wild.

She worked alongside other volunteers carrying out tasks such as preparing, feeding and cleaning the enclosures of all the animals, including the lions, cheetahs, monkeys, porcupines and tortoises, at the centre.

During her trip last month, she also visited an elephant sanctuary which houses three of the animal who were rescued from the cull in Kruger National Park.

Debbie said: “I am extremely passionate about wildlife and I have travelled extensively through Africa on many safaris and adventures, having fabulous experiences and then came to a point where I wanted to help with the animals and learn more about the conservation work.

“After lots of research and recommendation from a good source I came across ‘Not for Sissies’, South Africa, offering just what I was looking for.

“It was incredible experience with a good mixture of work and leisure alongside a small group of other volunteers.

“Daily work would consist of preparing, feeding and cleaning the enclosures of the many animals they had there but the main attraction was the five lions.

“The lions were 15 months old and too big for us to enter the enclosure with them but they certainly liked a good rub through the fence.

“To see them so close up, to look into their eyes, their immense size and to watch them feed was truly a remarkable experience.

“I admired the project and what the organisers’ goals are, which is to get the lions into a wild environment and prove that captive lions can hunt and breed for themselves.

“Our other duties included fixing fences where animals such as warthogs had dug their way through on their travels.

“Another wonderful experience was to prepare two cheetahs for the Endangered Wildlife Trust to be released back into the wild.”

She said: “There are so many volunteer programmes in South Africa that offer a ‘hands on’ approach to caring for lions.

“Many people are unaware that the canned lion industry is big business and lions are bred purposely for this. Following my experiences, I would urge more people to get involved with volunteering to help these animals.”