Volunteer Indonesia Wildlife Rescue
| Duration | 2 to 8 weeks |
| Hours |
6 days per week |
| Activities | Feeding the animals, Maintaining the centre |
| Location | Forested headland in North Sulawasi next to beach |
| Accommodation | Shared rooms |
| Requirements | Aged 18+, with a passion for animal welfare |
| Donation | From UK£585 / US$935 |
Volunteer to help save the wildlife of Asia. The volunteer Indonesian Wildlife Rescue Centre is located in exotic Sulawesi Island. The project is a rescue, rehabilitation and release centre for animals saved from the illegal wildlife trade.
Sulawesi Island remains the jumping off point for illegal shipments of animals for the exotic pet and ‘medicinal’ markets in Asia as well as having a thriving local bush meat industry. Globalteer is UK registered charity providing volunteer placements working in conservation in Asia
Sulawesi being the closest Indonesian island to the Philippines is being used as a consolidation point for illegal shipments of wildlife and wildlife products from Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the islands in the Eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago, especially Papua.
Orangutans, Malaysian Sun Bears, Gibbons, Tarsiers, Lorises, and Pangolins are some of the most endangered mammals smuggled out of the country. However, Cockatoos, Hornbills, birds of paradise as well as turtles and other reptiles are being smuggled out in even larger quantities.
Without a sustainable rescue facility the authorities are not able to enforce, raid and confiscate live animals as there are few existing transition centres. Many animals arrive in a stressed and neglected state and need a period of rehabilitation and veterinary care to bring them back to health. Unfortunately some are permanently disabled, stressed or domesticated and will never recover sufficiently to live in the wild.
In addition, many of the animals rescued in Sulawesi are not native to the island and cannot safely be released to an unfamiliar habitat or impose upon local ecosystems. The Indonesia Wildlife Rescue Centre endeavours to preserve these animals’s dignity by creating habitats where captive animals may thrive. It is hoped that these animals may enjoy the best quality of life possible in captivity.
Some of the Animal's Stories
Orangutans – Two Orangutans, Is and Bentu, were seized from smugglers by local authorities with the assistance of the project staff some four years ago. They are Bornean Orangutans intercepted on their way to the Philippines where it is thought they were destined to be exotic pets. Orangutan release programs in Borneo are already overwhelmed and there would have been nowhere else for these animals to go other than into the care of the centre.
‘Is’ is thought to be have been just one year old when rescued and was hand reared. Now five years old 'Is' remains one of the major personalities of the project.
'Bentu' is about seven but with his slow upright walks around the enclosure he would have you believe he is an old man. The Orangutan keepers are currently engaged in building the animals’ trust until such time as they will be taken out on a daily basis into the local mangroves.
Javan Leopard – Spotty – The Javan Leopard is a beautiful small Leopard which is highly endangered. There are thought to be less than 250 mature individuals left in the wild. This Leopard came to the centre after being confiscated as a result of a raid on a smuggling operation. One of the biggest priorities of the centre is for a suitable enclosure to increase the quality of life available to Spotty.
Sun Bears – Sunny and Beary – The Malaysian sun bear is the smallest known bear rarely weighing more than an adult man. Habitat loss combined with the bear’s popularity in the tourism and entertainment industry threatens the future of these amazing creatures. Beliefs in some Asian countries that bears organs promote strength and virility have led to disgusting practices such as bear bile farms. Sunny and Beary came to the centre as cubs unable to look after themselves. Their large claws make them accomplished climbers and they are often seen trying to scale the fences of their enclosure!
Species
There are many endangered species at the centre, including many rare birds, primates and other wildlife. Among the mammals undergoing care at the centre are Orangutans, gibbons, macaques and one of the most critically endangered leopards in the world, the Javan leopard along with sun bears, rusa deer and the fascinating babirusa. Over 40 macaques are in residence at the centre, including the charismatic Sulawesi Macaque, which is endemic to Sulawesi.
All 5 species including the Crested Black Macaque, (Macaca nigra), can be found and are currently all undergoing rehabilitation to form natural groups as they would in the wild. There are many birds which include the prehistoric Cassowary, extremely rare Pesquet’s Parrot along with an assortment of exotic pigeons, birds of prey, cockatoos and several species of parrot. There are also an assortment of reptiles which include various species of turtle and crocodiles. A rehabilitation and release program for native species is also under operation.
The Location
Sulawesi is the third largest island in Indonesia located between Borneo and the Banda Islands, a four hour flight from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The project is located in the north of the island, a one and a half hour drive from the regional capital of Manado. Your collection from Manado or the airport will be arranged in advance of your arrival. Manado is a thriving city of over half a million people and contains many of the facilities common to any urban location such as restaurants, shopping malls and cinemas.
The centre itself is set in an idyllic coastal headland where forest and mangrove flourish. Volcanoes dominate the surrounding terrain while the many small fishing communities in the area allow volunteers to get a taste of traditional rural life. The centre also has a long and expansive volcanic black sand beach giving opportunities for swimming, snorkelling or quite evening walks. It would not be an exaggeration to claim that the Indonesian Wildlife Rescue centre is located in an oasis of tranquillity with opportunity for lovers of nature and tropical environments.
Accommodation:
The accommodation in the centre is of a high standard, set on a small peak overlooking the animals, fishing villages and beach. There are six bungalows which compose the volunteer block. Rooms are large but divided into male and female dorms of no more than five people. All rooms have air-con, a kitchenette and a western style en-suite bathroom.
There is also a large balcony in each room where volunteer’s can relax, watch the sunset or keep an eye out for passing Cassowary or Babirusa in the enclosure below. The volunteer block also contains a communal area, kitchen, self-service laundry and common room as well as an observation tower. Indonesian meals are cooked Mon-Sat by a local Chef and offer vegetarian and vegan options. On Sunday the cook takes a well earned day off and the volunteers are free to cook up some western favourites.
Volunteer schedule
Volunteers currently work a six day week. Daily working hours vary depending on the weather and the needs of the project however they are generally 8 hour working days. Volunteers are expected to make an early start along with the animals and will work independently or with local staff in a variety of different tasks. Daily activities often include a rotation of the following:
• Cleaning a variety of enclosures.
• Refilling water containers.
• Preparing and giving food to the animals.
• Collecting local grasses, seeds or leaves for the animals.
• Providing life enrichment to stimulate animals in the form of new challenges for food or novel items in the enclosure.
• Maintaining and cleaning the centre.
• Upgrading enclosures, maintenance of enclosures and special assignments at the direction of the project manager.
An example of typical working day:
6.30 – Fill water at the bear enclosure.
7.00 – Clean and fill water at the primate enclosure.
8.00 – Breakfast.
9.00 – Feeding at the primate enclosure.
10.00 – Special project time, cleaning and maintaining centre.
12.00 – Lunch.
13.00 – Cleaning primate enclosure.
14.00 – Feeding and watering at aviary / leopard / bear /primate enclosures.
16.00 – Finish work, time for a well earned shower and time on the beach!
19.00 – Dinner.
Please be aware that this is a dynamic project and this is just an example of a typical day, volunteer duties may change during their placement.
Due to the tropical climate the work can be tough however most afternoons a nice coastal breeze keeps the temperatures down. Direct contact with the animals is discouraged for the safety of you and the animals, however, volunteers will see their hard work rewarded as animals delight in being transferred to larger enclosures or simply in passing the Orangutans out on their daily walks!
Extra Activities
The evenings at the centre are generally quite as most volunteers relax after a long days work. Games, movies and socializing often set the tone for the night. The local village, which sees few tourists, is well worth a visit and curious locals will seize the opportunity to practice their English and find out more about you. Volunteers sometimes take a taxi to Manado which has many restaurants, bars shopping malls.
A weekly shopping trip gives volunteers the chance to stock up on snacks and supplies and check their email. On Sundays, volunteers are free to explore the nearby city of Bitung, surrounding national parks, trek volcanoes or take advantage of ample snorkelling and dive sites.
Volunteers can take advantage of the many tourism opportunities that Sulawesi has to offer before or after their placement. Islands, waterfalls, treks, diving, snorkelling, national parks and festivals abound. Bunaken, an island 30km off the coast of Manado offers some of South-East Asia’s best dive sites containing steep drop-offs, caves and tunnels with a magnificent abundance of coral and fish.
Furthermore, the exotic and isolated Togean islands are a lost tropical paradise comparable to Thailand but without the crowds. Sulawesi offers a wealth of opportunity to the adventurous tourist and those wanting to stray from the beaten track.
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
*8 weeks is currently the maximum stay permitted with the Indonesian tourist visa.
Your donation includes –
• Accommodation for the duration of your stay.
• Free airport pickup from Manado.
• Three meals a day.
• Full pre-arrival and in country support.
• Self-service laundry.
• An opportunity to visit the nearby national park (those staying 3 weeks +)
• Assistance and advice for onward travel.
• An unforgettable experience!
Your donation does not include flights, visas, or insurance although we can provide information as required.
Where your money goes?
Your volunteer donation will be used in accordance with Globalteer’s charitable objectives. Volunteer donations will be instrumental in saving this project from closure. The Indonesian Wildlife Rescue Centre will use received funds to cover the running costs of the centre. The main concern is of course providing for the animals and volunteer donations will provide food, keeper’s salaries and veterinary expenses. If urgently needed additional funding is made available to the centre, efforts will be made to upgrade inadequate enclosures which will improve the standard of life for the animals.
More Information
Click on the links below for further reading…
Indonesia Fact File
Frequently Asked Questions
Gallery
Contact us with any Questions
Application Process & Requirements
The minimum age for volunteering 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 Indonesia. 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.
- Add "@globalteer.org" to your E-mail safe list to ensure that you receive a response.
- Your application will be reviewed and if accepted you will be notified via E-mail within one week.
- Pay your deposit to secure your placement within one week of acceptance.
- Research your destination, book your flight, inoculations and ask us any questions you may have.
- Full amount is to be paid 10 weeks before the start of your project.
- A comprehensive information folder will be sent to you with all information including a packing list, cultural differences, etiquette, project rules, useful phone contacts and full project information.