Thailand Animal Rescue
| Duration | 2 to 12 weeks |
| Hours |
6 days per week |
| Activities | Feeding the animals, Maintaining the centre |
| Location | Forest, near small village |
| Accommodation | Shared rooms |
| Requirements | Aged 18+ |
| Donation | From UK£585 / US$935 |
The Thailand Wild Animal Rescue Centre is located approximately 2 to 3 hours south of Bangkok. This sanctuary is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals previously exploited as pets, used for profit within the tourist industry or rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
Most of the animals residing at the sanctuary were maltreated before they arrived here, suffering from abuse, malnutrition, neglect and improper care. Many of the animals arrive with permanent disabilities and hence, cannot be returned to the wild. The mission is to give these animals the best quality of life possible in captivity. Construction of seven gibbon islands have been completed, allowing the gibbons to move about freely, to establish territories and mates, and to live a life as close as possible to a life in the wild. The project also has an education centre as it is considered that educating the locals and future generations is essential to the survival of Thailand's wildlife.
Some of the animal's stories
Mieuw - Bengal tiger. 2001 . Born in a tiger farm, taken from mother, de-clawed and castrated at a very young age destined to be a pet. Chained outside a gas station to encourage business. Very poorly fed (chicken scraps and leftovers) at his peak growth period and was not given any essential red meat at all. At 8 months old he had several infections, became very weak and was given up for dead by his owner. The rescue centre then took care of Mieuw. On arrival he couldn't lift his head, needed force feeding and required a lot of medication. The project director then spent considerable time with Mieuw, getting him to gradually walk and swimming with him to make him stronger and improve coordination. Mieuw is still wobbly on his feet but is in no pain and resides at the centre, enjoying the relative freedom that he has in his enclosure and cooling off in his pools.
Zach - White cheeked gibbon. Non-native species to Thailand. Rescued from a live animal market in Bangkok when he was very young. The staff at the centre successfully hand reared Zach and he now lives in a group with other young gibbons.
John - Stump tailed macaque. Lived for 12 years in a tiny rubbish filled cage in a temple. Very underweight and stressed on arrival, pulling out his own fur, rocking back and forth and self abusing. This stress behaviour has calmed now that he lives in a large enclosure and John has become the alpha male in a family group.
Bouncer - Asiatic black bear. Caught in a bear trap by poachers in the National Park at only a few months old. His front leg was irreparably damaged and had to be amputated. Now lives in a huge enclosure sponsored by "free the bears". Gets around with no problems and is quite a dominant bear - people often do not notice that he only has three legs!
Micky / Minnie - Lesser mouse deer. Rescued from a struggling sanctuary in southern Thailand. They were kept in a muddy pit where their offspring's dead bodies were left to decompose. Currently residing in a large enclosure full of vegetation.
For more of the animals stories and about the wildlife in Thailand, see "more information" below...
The location
The project is located 2 to 3 hours south of Bangkok near a small village. The centre is next to a lake, surrounded by dense forest and near some of Thailand's least visited National Parks. Less than an hour away are the beach resorts of Cha Am and Hua Hin where the volunteers go for shopping, days off and nights out. The local village has fast internet access, shops and bars but has no tourists so is a real insight into the Thai way of life. Volunteers can arrange camping trips into the remote National Parks or go on night safaris to spot Thailand's wild animals.
The accommodation at the centre is in clean but basic bungalows, rooms are single or more often shared. The bungalows have comfortable beds, fans, western style toilets and cold showers. At the front of the centre is a communal area and kitchen. Volunteers have access to free hot drinks, filtered water, bread, jam and other essentials. Two main meals are prepared by the cook, Thai and occasionally western meals also catering to vegetarians. Evenings can be spent watching satellite TV or DVD's, relaxing with a book or socializing with fellow volunteers.
Volunteer schedule
Volunteers work a 6 day week, the amount of hours worked depend upon the amount of volunteers and current needs at the project. Daily activities are rotated amongst volunteers and include:
- Preparing food for the bears, moving them inside and then scattering and hiding the food in their enclosure to provide a environment close to natural as possible where they would need to forage for food.
- Preparing food and feeding the primates.
- Creating the special diets for the other animals.
- Enrichment for the animals to provide stimulation, thought and fun. Including making puzzle feeders and watching as the primates work out how to get to the food inside, freezing their food on hot days, or smearing honey in hard to reach areas in the bears enclosure.
- Cleaning the cages and enclosures.
- Providing the animals with water.
- Walking in the forest to collect the best leaves for the primates.
- Maintaining the centre.
- Giving tours to visitors (experienced and willing volunteers only)
When new enclosures are being constructed volunteers can assist, as well as in the continual maintenance and re-design of existing enclosures. You will work closely with the animals but we have a no contact policy for the safety of you and the animals. The animals are wild and can bite and scratch. Disease transmission is possible between animals and people, and can be fatal to young or weak animals. The work can be hard in the tropical climate, but as always, you only get out what you put into this unique and rewarding experience.
You can join the project for a minimum of two weeks up to three months, for longer periods volunteers can speak directly to the project director at the centre.
Extra activities
If you volunteer for 8 weeks or more, you will be given three days off work to join an "Elephant refuge and Education centre". You will ride the domesticated elephants into the forest, take them for bathing and help collect their food. This centre gives refuge to domesticated elephants that have been roaming the streets of Bangkok and other cities. You can help out in the future caring for these beautiful creatures in cooperation with professional mahouts (elephant handlers). The elephants are walked, washed and fed daily to provide them with a comfortable and safe environment, they even sleep in the forest to provide an atmosphere as close to their wild relatives as possible.
Days off can be spent at the beach in Cha Am or Hua Hin which are less than an hour away. Cha Am is a quiet resort frequented mostly by Thais whilst Hua Hin is busier and has many western tourists. You can find great shopping opportunities (especially on market days), great nightlife and a variety of restaurants at both resorts.
Sunday night is market night in the local village where you can try a variety of Thai foods from the street stalls or shop for cheap bargains.
The centre is on temple grounds and therefore you can see authentic Thai temples and even a 15 metre long laying Buddha, all close to the centre.
Visit the local village to get an experience that very few foreigners get. The village is just a 5 minute walk from the centre but is not frequented by tourists, so you get a unique insight into true Thai culture unaffected by the huge influx of tourists that the rest of Thailand experiences.
Camping in the National park. Occasionally volunteers get together and hire a taxi into the National park. Overnight camping, treks and visiting the waterfalls in a rarely visited National park is an unforgettable experience that is highly recommended. You can see a variety of animals, birds, insects and amazing vegetation.
Required donation
The required donation to the project is stated in UK £pounds and US $dollars.
Why is a donation required to volunteer?
*2 weeks will be
£585
$935
*3 weeks will be
£690
$1105
*4 weeks will be
£820
$1315
*5 weeks will be
£910
$1455
*6 weeks will be
£995
$1590
*7 weeks will be
£1040
$1660
*8 weeks will be
£1080
$1730
*9 weeks will be
£1130
$1810
*10 weeks will be
£1220
$1950
*11 weeks will be
£1305
$2090
*12 weeks will be
£1395
$2230
The doantion includes -
- Pick up from Bangkok airport / hotel, Cha Am or Thyang.
- Accommodation for the duration of you stay at the project.
- All main meals.
- Full in country support from our project co-ordinator.
- Volunteer for 8 weeks or more to qualify for 3 days at an "Elephant refuge".
- Comprehensive information brochure.
- Assistance and advise for travelling to Thailand.
The donation does not include flights, visas or insurance although we can provide information as required.
Local expenses
The official currency is the Thai Baht.
Local transport
Tuk-tuk = less than 50 Baht for short trips
Taxi = Tell the driver to use his meter or agree the price before the trip. Half hour fare approximately 150 to 250 Baht
Food
meal at market = Less than 60 Baht
meal in restaurant = 200 Baht
More information
Click on the links below for further reading…
Application process & requirements
The minimum age for volunteers is 18 years old. No previous experience or qualifications are necessary but we do require volunteers to be respectful and open minded to the cultural differences they will encounter in Thailand. Volunteers must be reasonably fit as the work can be demanding in the tropical heat. You must be able to speak English. Volunteers must have a similar ideology to the mission of the project, wildlife trainers and those who exploit wildlife for the benefit of people are not suitable for this project.
- Click on the link below to fill out an application form.
- Your application will be reviewed and if accepted you will be notified via E-mail.
- Pay your deposit to secure your place.
- Research your destination, book your flight, inoculations and ask us any questions you may have.
- Full amount is to be paid 60 days before the start of your project.
- A comprehensive information folder will be sent to you with all information including a packing list, Thailand cultural differences, Buddhist Monk etiquette, useful language phrases, project rules, useful phone contacts and full project information.