Ever wondered what it would be like to walk freely in a jungle where tiger, elephant and bears live? This is your opportunity to work side by side on this exclusive Gap Guru program with India Government Rangers helping with the anti-poaching campaign in the forests of South India.

Tracking tiger and elephant and researching the habits and environment of the animals are examples of the tasks you would be expected to undertake. Your stay will be in an eco camp located on the banks of a beautiful lake in the midst of very rural Indian countryside.

What you will be doing: The Tiger population in India is at an all time low with extinction being a real threat. From numbers of over 40,000 at the turn of the 20th century there are now as few as 1,400 in the whole of the country.

The Indian Government has instigated Project Tiger, an initiative meant to educate local people against poaching as well as employing rangers to patrol the jungles and monitor the environment of the big cat to ensure the living conditions are right for them to survive. This is a massive task in a country the size of India and extra help is always welcomed – this is where your job comes in!

Working directly with the Chief Ranger and his forest guards you will be patrolling dense deciduous forest looking for signs of Tiger, Elephant, Sloth Bear and Wild Boar. There are around 10 Tigers in the forest where you will be working and the guards have assessed each territory of the male cats and monitor them on a daily basis to ensure they are still around. Other tasks include counting prey animals such as deer and monkey in defined research areas and monitoring water hole visitations.

There will also be opportunities to accompany the guards on their night patrols and stay in their shelters in the centre of the jungle.

Of course, a guarantee of a face to face encounter with a tiger or elephant cannot be given, but you will be in areas of the jungle that tourists never reach and with people who know the animals living there like nobody else. From experience we can assure you just the sound of a tiger growling from the undergrowth is enough to make your trip!

A full and thorough induction will be undertaken by the local conservation society before you enter the jungle so that you have a full understanding of the history, context and practice in relation to tiger conservation in India. Training will be given on the tasks expected of you. There will also be safety training in relation to jungle living and how to react to wildlife encounters in the forest.

Where you stay: During your project you will stay in an eco-wildlife camp run by a young, enthusiastic and experienced wildlife/adventure activity leader.

There are 6 static tents with thatched roofing that sleep 2-3 people in twin beds, there is also a table and chairs in each tent and a balcony and chairs in front of the tent. The camp has no electricity as it strives to be as close to nature as possible but paraffin lamps are used at night. There are good standard western style toilets and hot water is provided if needed for washing.

All food is organic and made from raw ingredients, even butter is made in the camp, and if you would like cooking lessons will be given - there is no cooker here only a wood fire!

All people working on the camp are first aid qualified and there is a camp doctor that can be called living in the nearest town about 15 minutes drive away. First Aid kits are available in the camp and in each of the 3 jeeps the camp uses to take volunteers into the national park.

All meals are included in your 13 night stay in the jungle, bed and breakfast for the days staying in Bangalore.

What you need:
This is a very physical activity and therefore you need to have a good level of fitness and mobility.

• You will be in the jungle for several hours at a time, aversion to creepy crawlies is not a good thing to have in this situation!
• To bring neutral coloured full sleeve and leg clothes. You need to merge in to the scenery not stand out - it will frighten the animals!
• You MUST keep calm under pressure. Think how you would react if an elephant comes up from behind and nuzzles up against you - they can be amazingly quiet for the size! You can't panic in this situation!