The Royal Zoological Society of South Australia has launched a new programme called Wilderness Leadership and Expeditions, aiming to “connect people with wildlife”.

Participants in the tours will be offered the experience of a lifetime, with hands on participation in global conservation programmes.

Director of the Royal Zoological Society of SA-operated Monarto Zoological Park, near Adelaide, Chris Hannocks will lead the new venture as director of wilderness leadership.

He plans to develop tours which will include projects such as the reintroduction of African cape hunting dogs, bred at Monarto Zoo, back into safe areas in South Africa. The tour participants could travel with the dogs and support a release programme back into the wild.

“The Royal Zoological Society has recently carried out some changes to ensure we are focusing more closely on conservation programs to link our zoos with in-situ wildlife conservation efforts,” said Dr Chris West, CEO of the Royal Zoological Society of SA.

“We already raise funds for wildlife projects but have taken the step to pledge a further 10 per cent of revenue from both Adelaide and Monarto Zoos, directly to a conservation fund to help save animals from extinction.”