FIND US!
  • Destinations
    • Asia>
      • Cambodia
      • Nepal
      • Thailand
      • Sri Lanka
      • Vietnam
    • Africa>
      • Ghana
      • South Africa
    • Latin America>
      • Belize
  • Volunteering Types
  • Travel Advice
    • Peru
    • Why Volunteer at University?
  • Student Reviews
    • Cambodian Reviews
    • Belize Reviews
  • Blog
  • Projects
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • The Team

Wildlife Rescue - Thailand

Location: 2.5 hours south of Bangkok, near Cha Am
Start dates: Every week on a Sunday (this is flexible)
Duration: 1 - 12 weeks
Cost: From £549
Discounts: Combined discount Elephant Care + Wildlife Rescue
Picture
How will I make a difference?

By volunteering at the Wildlife Rescue centre you will make a major contribution to the welfare of animals in Thailand. There are currently over 300 rescued animals including rescued primates, bears, exotic birds reptiles and other small mammals.

The centre would not be able to run without the hard work of the volunteers and their financial support. On a personal level you will have a unique opportunity to work alongside some incredible wildlife and gain the satisfaction of helping to make a difference to their lives.

What will I be doing?

The exact nature of the work you will be doing varies all the time and there is no such thing as a 'typical' day. However there are certain everyday jobs that will be your responsibility such as:

  • Feeding the animals
  • Providing water for the animals
  • Assisting with cleaning the enclosures
Other possible tasks include:
  • Construction of new cages and enclosures,
  • Working on enclosure enrichments
  • Assisting with tours for visitors
  • Maintenance work for cages and the gibbon islands
  • Keeping the centre's grounds clean
A rota system is followed for these jobs so that the duties are fairly distributed. Generally, due to the number of animals there are three main focus areas; primates, bears and other wildlife. Volunteers work a six-day working week from about 6.30am-5.00pm. The atmosphere at the centre is informal and relaxed. You will be scheduled where you are most needed and where your skills can be used to the maximum advantage.

The centre is home to a wide variety of animals. There are currently around 100 primates primarily species of macaques and gibbons as well as langurs and lorises. There are just over 20 bears, both Asiatic black bears and Malayan sun bears. Additionally there are civets, a leopard cat, an Asiatic golden jackal and a variety of exotic birds and reptiles. There is even a crocodile called Dundee!

Although you will work very closely with the animals, there is a strict ‘hands off’ policy, whereby no physical contact is allowed with the animals in order to help their rehabilitation and maintain a safe working environment.

More about the project

The centre's aim is to save wildlife and their habitat from destruction, rescuing wild animals from places where they are maltreated and/or neglected. The focus is primarily on rehabilitating captive or domesticated animals and, if possible, preparing them for a reintroduction to their natural habitats. The centre also provides a permanent sanctuary for those animals that no-one else is prepared to care for e.g. the sick and disabled.

There is an Elephant Care project based at the same centre where volunteers are also needed, combining the two placements is a popular choice.

Location and free time

The wildlife rescue centre is based on temple grounds, about 100 miles South of Bangkok. It is approximately 25km from the beaches of Cha Am and Hua Hin.

It is a very natural, peaceful and beautiful rural location and the centre is located beside a small lake which has a series of small 'gibbon islands.' These are used to rehabilitate the gibbons at the Wildlife Rescue centre.

After work you can relax at the centre and socialise with other volunteers. The local village has an internet café and there are Buddhist temples that you can visit nearby. For a night out, volunteers regularly club together and organise a taxi to Hua Hin where there are many bars, restaurants and a night market. There is also a weekly night market in Cha-am selling lots of cheap clothes and souvenirs, which is always popular.

Volunteer accommodation

You will live in basic shared rooms on-site at the centre.

What's included and where your money goes


  • A comprehensive information booklet
  • Support from your dedicated volunteer manager within the PoD UK team
  • Travel advice and assistance
  • Accommodation (a basic shared room)
  • All meals
  • Support from the project team
Not included: Flights, travel insurance, personal spending, airport pick-up (a taxi from Bangkok airport or your hotel can be arranged to take you directly to the centre)

Prices

1 week: £549
2 weeks: £699
3 weeks: £849
Extra Weeks: £100
Combined discount Elephant Care + Wildlife Rescue

    Want to sign up?
    If you want ask any questions or sign up to this project please fill in this form and a member of our team will get back to you. 

Submit