Malaysia Zoo Assistant

  Malaysia

• Other Cities in Malaysia: 
Taiping

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The 5th of every month

Description: A rewarding and fun Malaysia volunteer project suited to animal lovers who are keen to learn about different animals in an exotic location.

Volunteer Role
Work as a zookeeper looking after animals. The zoo plays an important role in breeding wild animals, especially endangered species.

Animals you could be working with include orang-utans, rhinos, elephants, camels, giraffes, monkeys, lions, tigers, reptiles and sun bears.

On arrival into Malaysia, you are met at Kuala Lumpur airport and then have a welcome dinner with other volunteers and your supervisors. There will be an orientation session with information about the project, you'll have time to explore the city and then it's off to the zoo.

Together with the Zookeeper you will be responsible for the daily maintenance of the animals. You will clean and maintain their areas, learn about each individual animal, find out what they like to eat and be responsible for keeping them well fed. You will also learn about their behaviour and if you feel confident enough you can work as a Zoo guide to school children and tourists. The vet may also require you to help to catch animals should some treatment be needed.

You may also be helping to build new exhibits, improve signage around the zoo and generally helping with zoo maintenance.

Typical Volunteer Itinerary:

- On Arrival
* Met at Kuala Lumpur airport
* 2 nights accommodation
* Welcome dinner with other volunteers and supervisors
* Orientation with information about the project & fun opportunities
* Explore the capital
* Transfer to either Zoo Negara or Taiping Zoo (included in price)
* Settle into your new accommodation, just a short walk from the Zoo.

- Weeks 1-4
Volunteers will be involved in many aspects of zoo life including:

    * Feeding the animals, including orang-utans
    * Catching animals for veterinary
    * Cleaning and maintaining of animal areas
    * Learn about the animal behaviour in the zoo
    * Work as a guide to school children and tourists
    * Involved in Zoo enrichment, education and extension

Highlights: Project Orientation

Upon arrival into Kuala Lumpur, you will be met and taken for a welcome dinner. There will then be an orientation session with information about the project and the available opportunities, including:

    * An introduction to Malaysia culture and values
    * Your health and safety whilst in Malaysia
    * Workplace ethics and essential information before starting your project
    * Money and transportation in Malaysia
    * An introduction to the area where you will be working
    * Local food and practices
    * Areas of Malaysia worth visiting in your free time

Project Support

You will have the continual support and guidance of Mary, our coordinator, who will assist you with any questions or advice you may need. In addition you will be given a 24-hour emergency number so you can contact our staff in the UK at any time.
Accommodation and Meals

Zoo Negara - You will live in a house in the grounds of the Zoo. It is a three-bedroom house. For groups larger than three, there will have to be twin sharing.

Taiping Zoo - You will live in a basic three-bedroom, two-storey house with two bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area and living room. It's a spacious house, built in around the 1960's. It's a 1.5km walk from the zoo and 3.2km walk to the main town (there is a taxi service available into town).

Food is provided - good wholesome Malay cuisine. However, your Zoo colleagues will either cook together and you can opt for a self-catering style, or eat out as food is cheap and in easy access to hawker stalls and local restaurants - a full meal can be obtained for £1-2. A fixed allowance for self-catering is given at the programme start and volunteers can top this up if they wish. Everyone stops for a large breakfast at 10.30am, lunch is not usually taken though the Zoo restaurants can provide food and there are shops within walking distance. Please note that 80% of the food contains chilli though strength varies according to personal taste.
Free Time

Your day will start at 8am and finish at 5pm. Your evenings and weekends are free so you will have plenty of time to explore Malaysia. All the Zoos are within easy travelling distance from various destinations such as Penang, Cameron Highlands, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur so plenty of travelling is possible.

Getting There

You will need to arrange your flights to Kuala Lumpur airport, where you will be met. Then you will have a welcome dinner with other volunteers and your supervisors. You'll have time to explore the city, and then it's off to the zoo.

Cost in US$: 2,189

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants health

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

Real Gap Experience's Mission Statement: We are ambitious for our company, our partners and the communities in which we work. We take our responsibilities seriously - understanding that the development of our business impacts directly on our partners, the communities that we visit and work with and that ultimately, our success is their success too.