Volunteer with Thailand's Primates (Gibbons and Monkeys)

  Thailand

• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Cha-am,  Hua Hin,  Mae Hong Son,  Petchaburi

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: Apart from loss of habitat, many of Thailand's primates are suffering due to the illegal wildlife trade, exploited as pets or for tourism. At our centre we care for and try to rehabilitate hundreds of gibbons and macaques with the aid of a dedicated volunteer work force.

Volunteers will spend a significant amount of time preparing food for the animals, serving it to them and cleaning their enclosures. This includes a variety of ancillary jobs, such as cleaning food bowls, equipment and food preparation areas. The enclosures are set up so that they can be cleaned and the animals can be fed without any contact with the animals (the wildlife are not to be touched or handled in any way by the volunteers unless requested/permitted by staff). Other time is spent preparing enrichments for the animals and also giving tours to visiting tourists. Depending upon the number of volunteers and ongoing activities at the time, there will also be work in connection with building/upgrading enclosures, usually involving a lot of digging and painting. On some occasions, volunteers will be able to take part in rescue missions or other activities outside the centre.

Additionally, we may take some volunteers to help at our gibbon release site near Mae Hong Son in the north of Thailand.

We require volunteers all year around to assist with the daily care of the primates at our Wildlife Rescue Centre, based at a Buddhist temple near Petchaburi in Thailand. Placements of 2-6 weeks are normal, but we are flexible with your availability and gladly welcome volunteers for longer stays.

The macaques sadly have no safe areas to release them in the wild, so they must remain in sanctuary care in a number of natural monkey fields at the rescue centre. The gibbons are cared for in forest tree-houses or on man-made islands on the lake in front of the rescue centre. Many animals cannot return to the wild due to habituation of captivity or specific disabilities, but several are fit for release in cases where there are places fit and safe enough to release them.

Your contribution to the rescue centre is vital for the animal welfare and chances of rehabilitation of these fascinating primates.

Highlights: Hearing the gibbons singing first thing in the morning is wonderful. The idyllic setting against the lake and the mountain, within easy reach of the beach towns of Cha-am and Hua-hin, is part of the beauty of this experience.

With this project, volunteers can openly see the difference they are making for the welfare of the animals and the sustainability of the work of WFFT.

Qualifications: No experience necessary, training will be given and work is supervised.

Volunteers just require lots of enthusiasm, the willingness to pitch in and work as part of a team, and the desire to help animals in need. You must be of good health and reasonable fitness to work in this climate.

Cost in US$: USD 850 for 3 weeks

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Typical volunteer has lots of enthusiasm, the willingness to pitch in and work as part of a team, and the desire to help animals in need. We have volunteers from various countries and various backgrounds. Typically Anglophones (Brits, Irish, Americans, Canadians, Kiwis and Aussies), Dutch speakers (Belgians and Dutch), Francophones (French, Swiss, Belgian, Quebecois), German speakers (Germans, Austrians, Swiss), Scandinavians and a few others. Ages range from 18-70+, with the majority split between 18-30 year olds and 30-50 year olds. Many gap-year students, some animal/conservation related science students, many career-breakers and some retirees.

Age Range: 18-60

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4-6

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand's Mission Statement: Rescue, rehabilitate and care for wildlife that has been exploited by people or otherwise come into human conflict. Raise awareness and concern for wildlife and its habitat in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Year Founded: 2001