BALI WILDLIFE RESCUE VOLUNTEERS
Bali animal rescue volunteers help to care for a variety of different species of animals, who may be endangered, poached or displaced from their natural habitat. Help with rehabilitation, enrichment and improving the wellbeing of each animal at the animal rescue centre. Get involved in additional opportunities to focus on environmental sustainability, plastic pollution and increasing awareness in the local communities.
Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day
As an animal volunteer in Bali, your main project will be based at the animal rescue centre, which is 5 minutes away by minivan. The daily shifts run from 8-10.30am and 2-4pm. While on the project you will work alongside the animal keeper and other staff members who have years of experience interacting with animals.
The beach cleans are about 20 minutes away by minivan, usually from 8-10am or 3-5pm. If your volunteer work in Bali includes the sea turtle conservation, this runs from 7-11am and is about 45 minutes away by private car. The mangrove restoration is about an hour away so you will be transported by private car, normally between 7-11.30am.
In general, Bali wildlife rescue volunteers are expected to work for around 3-5 hours per day from Monday-Thursday. The activities you will get involved in during your time on the volunteer in Bali projects include:
Feeding – These animals are fed based on the species and time of year. For instance, the crocodiles are fed two times a week with things like chicken or duck, while monkeys are fed daily with fruits. You will be able to cut and prepare meals based on the species you are working with and learn about the types of food that are best.
Enrichment – Many of these animals are endangered and have come from the loss of their native habitat or poor treatment in the black market. Their displacement often leaves these animals irritable and at times depressed, causing them to have poor eating habits or behaviour. Your time interacting with them and coaching them on things such as eating, foraging, play or social interaction with other animals is imperative. Over time these animals may just learn to trust you and in turn, you could find one of those pretty Parakeets on your forearm.
Enclosure Cleaning – These enclosures are made for each animal based on the feedback of the veterinarian during the first assessment. You may find the enclosures to be small, but some animals who are irritable find it more comfortable to be in smaller spaces. Over time the enclosures will be expanded and eventually they will be released back into the wild. The crocodiles tend to need the brush cleared back to keep them from being confined to one area, so an example of this upkeep would be cutting the brush back, while the staff keep the crocodile occupied. In the bird enclosures, the branches and chains may need to be replaced and cleaned as they begin to rot. If you are comfortable they will let you clean and make repairs in the enclosure with these beauties flying all around you!
Maintenance – The rescue centre is a great place, but with limited funding it could do with some tender loving care. During animal volunteering abroad, you will be asked to help with creating a better atmosphere for the animals by clearing up the grounds. While you are doing a bit of upkeep this can include fixing the hinges on enclosure doors, relining the fencing, adding new gating on the enclosure, repairing the habitats or cleaning the grounds of rubbish and weeds.
GREECE TURTLE CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS
Protect endangered sea turtles through hands-on fieldwork as a Greece turtle conservation volunteer. Monitor nesting beaches, conduct beach patrol surveys, tag turtles and complete hatching rescues. Enjoy a true research and conservation project adopting an established scientific methodology when you volunteer in Greece.
Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day
When you volunteer in Greece on the sea turtle conservation project, you will be protecting an endangered species. More specifically, you will be preserving the sea turtles of Kefalonia and their ecosystems. Practical measures to do this include surveying nesting beaches and protecting turtles’ nests, This extends to monitoring the population’s health, identifying threats and public awareness campaigns.
You will begin field surveys on the day after your arrival and orientation. Your first few days on the volunteer project will be full of hands-on learning. This will be under the guidance of experienced field assistants. Enjoy training and workshops to get acquainted with all aspects of the fieldwork you will be undertaking.
Beach Surveys – A core part of the fieldwork will be patrolling the beaches. That is to say, each morning you will find and protect sea turtle nests. Most importantly, you will walk the sand to look for fresh turtle nests. For the reason that you can then mark and measure the nests that were laid most recently.
As a result, progress can be monitored throughout the incubation to hatching stage and accidental damage can be avoided. Nesting activity typically begins in the middle of May and runs through to late August. Therefore, this is the core period beach patrols take place when working with turtles.
Hatching Rescue & Nest Protection – The nests typically hatch around 2 months after the eggs have been laid. Consequently, the hatching season usually begins in the middle of July and runs through to late October. You will continually monitor the nests to ensure they remain safe and away from danger. As the young turtles’ hatch, limit obstacles like light pollution and ensure they crawl safely to the sea. Conduct nest inventories to assess the hatching success of each nest.
Light Pollution Surveys – Asides from storms, light pollution represents the next biggest threat to sea turtle nests in Kefalonia. Lights from nearby sources can disorientate the turtles and make them crawl away from the sea rather than towards it. Conduct environmental studies to quantify light pollution and determine its source. Assess the risks to each nest and implement appropriate actions to prevent light pollution factors harming baby turtles. Engagement with locals and public awareness are also key factors.
Turtle Tagging – The mating season for the loggerhead turtles typically runs from April to May. During this time, volunteers usually focus on the tagging process. This is where you will collect measurements of the turtles and assess their overall health. A tag is attached to the turtle so we can track its movement.
Other Activities – There will be many other activities that you are involved in as a Greece turtle conservation volunteer. Conduct harbour monitoring as you observe the behaviour and record activity of sea turtles swimming around the bay. Enjoy a night shift rota as you keep watch through the night over the nests. If you are lucky, assist with a baby sea turtle release if eggs begin to hatch. Support with data entry and educate local tourists on why sea turtle conservation is so important.
Field leaders will provide volunteers with a weekly schedule for each project location. As a result, volunteers will have a clear understanding as to what their daily tasks and project shifts are. You will rotate across the tasks to ensure your role is varied. As a result, you will build as much experience in each area of conservation as possible. Furthermore, you will get accustomed to each research method and fieldwork technique that is used.
Most mornings will involve an early start. You will cycle to the nesting beaches to monitor the nests and conduct beach surveys. Afternoons are free to relax, explore the local area or simply take cover from the heat. Conservation work and field research will continue in early evenings with ad-hoc night shifts also a possibility. You will volunteer 6 days per week and you will either cycle or walk to your fieldwork setting each day.
PERU DOG RESCUE VOLUNTEERS
As a Peru dog rescue volunteer, you will get up close and personal to these amazing animals. Create a better life for Cusco’s street dog population. Not only this, PMGY’s Peru volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. If you love dogs, the Peru dog rescue volunteer project is a great way to give back and make an impact!
Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day
When you complete volunteer work in Peru at the dog shelter, you will be helping with the daily chores. As a Peru dog rescue volunteer, you will help with cleaning and feeding. Other activities include enrichment activities, maintaining hygiene and general upkeep of the shelter. Participants may also help support local campaigns on an ad-hoc basis. The working hours are typically from 9am-12pm on a Monday-Friday basis.
If you are up for it, take a 1 hour walk through the heart of Cusco to reach your dog shelter volunteer in Peru placement! Alternatively, you can take a 20-45 minute bus ride to reach your dog shelter project. The bus stop is located either just outside the volunteer accommodation or the Spanish school. Furthermore, the local team will assist you in learning the routes to your volunteer project. As a result, you will be acquainted with how to get to and from your volunteer project.
PERU ANIMAL RESCUE VOLUNTEERS
As a Peru animal rescue volunteer, you will get up close and personal to some amazing animals. Not only this, PMGY’s Peru volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. As a Peru animal volunteer, you will help care for a variety of different species of animals. Most noteworthy, animals who are endangered, poached or displaced from their natural habitat.
Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day
Our Peru animal projects allow volunteers and interns to experience their love of animals during their time in Peru. Working at the centre of the project as part of your international volunteer experience, your daily tasks will make a positive contribution. Moreover, the care and wellbeing these rescued animals receive will greatly improve. The sanctuary cares for all types of wildlife animals. Ultimately, the long-term aim of the project is to liberate the rescued animals back into natural environments.
When you complete work as a volunteer in Peru at the animal rescue centre, you will be helping with the daily chores. As a Peru animal rescue volunteer, you will help with cleaning and feeding. Other activities include enrichment activities, medical assistance and general support for the local project staff. The working hours are typically from 9am-1pm and/or 2pm-5pm.
You will be required to take a 45 minute bus ride to reach the Peru wildlife rescue volunteers project. The bus stop is located either just outside the volunteer accommodation or the Spanish school. Furthermore, the local team will assist you in learning the routes to your volunteer project. As a result, you will be acquainted with how to get to and from your volunteer project.
SOUTH AFRICA ANIMAL RESERVE VOLUNTEERS
As a South Africa Wildlife Reserve Volunteer, you will get the opportunity to work behind the scenes on a world-class animal reserve. In addition, you will gain a rich education in conservation management. PMGY’s South Africa volunteer programs provide a fantastic opportunity to engage in meaningful animal volunteer work in South Africa. If you have a real passion for animals then this South Africa animal volunteer program is the opportunity for you.
Your Volunteer Role & Typical Teaching Day
Each volunteer in South Africa participant will play a big part and benefit to the conservation efforts of the reserve. All your day to day activities is shown on the itinerary which will be displayed on the volunteer notice board. The itinerary will show you what activity your group will be doing and at what time. If you have any suggestions around working with animals in conservation, you can discuss these with the local team.
On the South Africa wildlife reserve volunteer program, you will play a key role in saving the precious wilderness. This is not just for the here and now, but also in protecting it for future generations. So, if you fancy rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty in a once in a lifetime setting then this is the program for you. Whether it be for 1 week or part of a gap year, there is no better place to volunteer with animals in conservation when you complete volunteer work in South Africa.
Working hours as a conservation volunteer are generally quite fixed across Monday-Friday. They are split into a morning and afternoon session. The morning session is often more physically demanding where temperatures are relatively cooler running from around 9:30am-1:00pm. A lunch break then follows with the afternoon session usually running 2:30pm-4:30pm thereafter. Please note that times are subject to change based on summer/winter times and the activities. Finally, as volunteers are based on the reserve, they are only ever a short jeep drive or walk from where their daily volunteer tasks take place. Any project transport required is included in the Program Fee.
SRI LANKA TURTLE CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS
You can protect and rehabilitate sea turtles whilst also helping at community development projects as a Sri Lanka turtle conservation volunteer. Many species of turtles are under threat and at risk of becoming endangered, hence there is a great need for animal conservation efforts. Raise awareness of plastic pollution, care for injured and disable turtles and release freshly hatched babies back into the wild, safe from natural risks and local poachers.
Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day
Every PMGY Sri Lanka turtle conservation volunteer will spend their days next to the beach caring for the sea turtles that have been rescued and are now living in the project site. Your project will run from Monday-Friday between 9am-12pm. You will get your project usually by tuk-tuk, which takes about 10 minutes. Your typical duties as a volunteer in Sri Lanka will include:
• Preparing fresh food and assisting feeding on a daily basis
• Cleaning within the project premises and nearby beach area
• Taking care of the nesting area
• Cleaning and refilling the turtle tanks
• Assisting with medication
• Cleaning the turtles’ shells
• Counting and burying turtle eggs safely
• Designing education boards around the sanctuary
• Painting and drawing for information and animal welfare education
• Releasing hatched baby turtles into the sea
Each Sri Lanka marine conservation participant will join with the local staff at the project to get to grips with the daily tasks and what is expected of them. This will include tasks as part of a team as well as individual roles. In addition, our local team regularly arrange a day for the volunteers to engage in a mass beach clean across the Ambalangoda area.
You can do your bit to help tackle the global issue of plastic pollution by cleaning the beaches where many turtles lay eggs in the south. Although this may be one of the more mundane aspects of the program, its importance cannot be underestimated. The volunteer’s efforts are recognised positively by the Wildlife Department. It is not uncommon that after one beach clean we have collected up to 20 bags of litter!
As a turtle conservation volunteer in Sri Lanka, you may also wish to get involved with community awareness education. The purpose of these sessions is to educate local young Sri Lankans in the local communities about the importance of protecting these endangered species.
From factual presentations on sea turtles to information on what the community can do to aid marine conservation, we aim to introduce the concept of conservation on a community level and so bring about long term change. Please note these sessions run on an ad hoc basis. If it is something you are interested in then please speak with our local team, who can help to make the appropriate arrangements.
THAILAND ELEPHANT VOLUNTEERS
As an elephant volunteer in Thailand with PMGY, you will have the unique chance to work behind the scenes to care for rescued elephants. Eager and passionate volunteers are required to assist with the general upkeep of the project throughout the year. The centre works to rescue and rehabilitate elephants within Thailand. With our team on this Thailand volunteer program, you will have an amazing chance to help care for these gentle giants.
Your Volunteer Role & Typical Working Day
Thailand elephant conservation volunteers are required to support and assist with the day-to-day operations at the volunteer project. This includes (but is not limited to): preparing and distributing food, preparing and distributing behavioural enrichments, assisting with environmental enrichments, cleaning the land, and general maintenance, including maintaining forest areas.
As an elephant volunteer in Thailand, the working day starts at 6:30am at the Volunteer House. The Volunteer House is where all organisation and orientation of volunteers is based. On the Thailand elephant volunteer program, you will normally finish work around 5pm. There will be several breaks throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and water and toilet breaks. Volunteers are expected to work 6 days a week with one day off. The Volunteer House is based on-site at the rescue centre. Although volunteer work with elephants in Thailand is very physically and mentally demanding, the end result is always well worth it. Participating in Thailand with elephants is tremendously rewarding.
As an elephant volunteer in Thailand , you will stay on-site at the animal centre. This means that external transport is not required. Any required transport for the needs of the project will be included in your Program Fee.
THAILAND ANIMAL RESCUE VOLUNTEERS
As a PMGY volunteer with animals in Thailand, you will have the unique opportunity to work behind the scenes to care for animals. Enthusiastic and passionate volunteers are required to assist with the general upkeep of the project throughout the year. The centre works to rescue and rehabilitate animals within Thailand. With our team, you will have an amazing opportunity to care for a wide variety of rescued animals.
Your Volunteer Role & Typical Teaching Day
Volunteers with animals in Thailand are required to support and assist with the day-to-day operations of the project. This includes (but is not limited to): preparing and distributing food, preparing and distributing behavioural enrichments, assisting with environmental enrichments, cleaning enclosures, scrubbing animal pools and general maintenance, including maintaining forest areas in the local area.
The working day for a volunteer with wildlife in Thailand starts at 6:30am at the Volunteer House. The Volunteer House is where all organisation and orientation of volunteers is based. Volunteers will normally finish work around 5pm, with several breaks throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and water and toilet breaks. Volunteers are expected to work 6 days a week, with one day off. The Volunteer House is based on-site at the animal rescue centre.
As a volunteer with elephants in Thailand, you will stay on-site at the animal centre. This means that external transport is not required. Any required transport for the needs of the project will be included in your Program Fee.
The work as an animal volunteer in Thailand is very physically and mentally demanding, but the end result is always well worth it. Volunteer coordinators will assign volunteers to groups each day. The groups are managed by team leaders – longer-term experienced volunteers who assist and guide their teams throughout daily tasks.
