Lion Observations

One of the tasks as a volunteer is to do a 3 hour shift of Lion Observations, where you are to take notes of Simba (the male ) in particular to document any health problems. This is because Simba has only been at the centre for a year, and has many health problems due to his poor living conditions for the majority of his life before he was rescued by Born Free and brought to LLWC to live out the rest of his life in his homeland and with the medical care he needed.

Some of the things you had to check for were, how many sneezes/coughs/yawns/licks he did, how active he was, any limping or hip swinging whilst walking, if he struggled getting up, his interactions with Bella the lioness who was previously rescued from a zoo in Romania, and any other unnatural things you noticed during your shift. During this time I also did some illustrations, as a lot of the time both lions are very lazy!

Above are some of the drawings taken from my small sketchbook I dedicated to Lion Obs.

Documenting Health Checks

 

These are some of the pictures I drew during the Health Checks carried out on my last day of volunteering. I am so happy I was allowed to participate and watch for another aspect of documentation to go towards my project and experience as a volunteer.

The two lucky monkeys are Nkhwikwi and Nkoko, each checked individually. First they had to be caught and separated, then anaesthetised to check for any physical and internal health problems. This consisted of checking the limbs, and for any injuries, checking for any diseases such as TB, monitoring the heart beat and checking the temperature. Then you wait for them to come around from the anaesthesia, which very much resembles a drunk looking monkey as they regain there balance back.

My two weeks at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre

It has been an amazing but short two weeks in Malawi, volunteering at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. Two weeks just wasn’t enough and I was desperate to stay longer. But I needed to get back and complete my final project before I finish my degree, which is 5 weeks away! Shit!

I feel like I have accomplished so much in my two weeks away. Feeding the baby orphans daily, spending 3-hour shifts with the youngest orphan, Munchkin, who is still too young to be left alone in the day time, and spending afternoons on Lion Observations, looking out for any unusual health problems with the most recent rescue, Simba.

(Left to right: Munchkin, Bo, Simba)

Final Major project development

It has been two months since my Final Major Project (FMP) began. And I have done pretty much fuck all.

I am uninspired, unmotivated and restless being stuck in the UK. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the UK is great, and there are some amazing places to visit, but not for my artistic inspiration. I want stunning landscapes, exotic wildlife, conservation and something I am passionate about. Where is this… Africa.

So, after discussion with the therapist/best friend that is my father. I came to the conclusion, that the only way I will be happy, is if I follow my passions. I am going to Africa to volunteer for two weeks at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. I found this fantastic place through the Born Free website, who are amazing advocates for the conservation of wildlife.

If you are thinking of going abroad to volunteer in Africa, please do your research. There are many places across Africa that offer volunteer places, or day visits to see the animals they have “rescued” or are “rehabilitating”. This is a lie. They are actually part of something called Canned Hunting (not for the faint hearted), where animals are forced to breed in captivity, reared by humans and are therefore unafraid of human presence, then hunted in small confined areas by trophy hunters. Unknowing visitors, who go to feed/pet lion cubs and other babies may think they are spending money to help save these animals, but intact are helping to fund a disgusting business. So please, please do your research before you go!

On a happier note, the place I am going to in Malawi does amazing work, and is affiliated with many well known world wide conservation companies. I am so freakin’ excited, I can barely contain it! My trousers (that conveniently convert in to shorts) arrived today, now I just need to start packing and organising things to take with me. Less than one week!!!!

Val Thorens, French Alps.

I probably should have uploaded these photos a lot sooner than this, but Christmas has been a lazy yet busy time and I just never sat down to write anything. Here are a few GoPro photos.

Here are two words to sum up my week of: Skiing. Alcohol.

Off to the slopes!

After a stressful last few months of my final year degree deadline, working three jobs to fund myself and save some money for traveling, I am off to the slopes for a week of skiing, alcohol, skiing and alcohol. Yep, I am going on the university ski trip. Not entirely sure what to expect, but all I need is the release to go crazy and have fun!

I am a terrible packer, even after three months of traveling in America this summer! I have probably over packed like I normally do, but I need those layers to stay warm! I am not one for the cold, but the exception is to ski.

I am not looking forward to the coach trip. I don’t even know how long it is! But, FUCK IT. Freedom! For a short while, until it’s back to the dissertation when I am back home. Uh.

On another note, I have just read an amazing blog post on traveling with no money. http://travelwithk8.wordpress.com/2014/12/05/how-i-afford-to-travel-and-you-make-not-like-what-im-going-to-say/

The American Landscape

Digital Collaging

After a mini tutorial with my tutor last week, he helped me to stop over thinking and start having fun with my work. After hand-making some textures, I scanned them in to my computer. My tutor then sat and helped me to play around with cutting, pasting, playing with textures, using geometric shapes and changing the colour and opacity of images to create some digital collages.

These collages explore the landscape and photographs I took whilst on my two week trek over the summer in America. Through using hand-made textures and cutting out geometric shapes, I am adding another element to my photographs, highlighting how I saw the places through my eyes, and exaggerating the colours and shapes that really made these landscapes amazing and so memorable to me.

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for – and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool – for love – for your dreams – for the adventure of being alive.

– Oriah Mountain Dreamer