Do you have a passion for wildlife? Want to help endangered species have future on this planet? Or would you like to help get mistreated animals get back to the wild? Whether it’s due to poaching, smuggling or habitat destruction, animals need your help. Apply to help animals and wildlife conservation efforts around the world.
Best Animal Volunteer Programs
Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from £1,245
Volunteer with Street Dogs
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from £1,245
Africa Big 5 Wildlife Conservation
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from £1,395
Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from £1,395
Canary Islands Whale & Dolphin Conservation
• 1-12 weeks
• Price from £1,995
Wildlife Conservation Projects
First of all, what is wildlife conservation? Around the world we are quite familiar now with the terms ‘volunteer vacation’ or ‘working holidays’ where anyone can use some of their holiday to give a little bit back to the local community or other communities abroad.
This could include teaching English in South America, building volunteer projects in Africa or even supporting aid projects around the world. A wildlife conservation vacation runs on the same premises as volunteer trips, but the projects are all about protecting and conserving wildlife around the world.
Wildlife conservation projects can range in their content and species – from whales on the Azores, to lynx in Slovakia or turtles in Australia. One very popular project to work in Africa with big cats including tigers, jaguars, leopards and lions. Many people have seen these beautiful cats in zoos and on television but few have been able to work with them in their natural environment.
Animals You Can Help
You can help so many different species of animals including elephants, orangutans, pandas, lions, monkeys, gorillas, dolphins, cheetahs, turtles, rhinos, horses, whales, great white sharks, leopards, tortoise, reptiles, birds, fish, dogs, and, well, pretty much any species you’re interested in!
Type of Work You can Do
The role and duties varies depend on the project, organisation and your background/career.
On programs you can expect to interact, do field research, data collection, wildlife monitoring, identification expeditions, releasing rescued and rehabilitated animals back into the wild, washing and feeding rescued animals, preparing food, night watches, creative psychological stimulation for animals, cleaning duties, enrichment projects … and much more.
Paid Jobs with Animals
Are you looking for paid work with animals or to turn your passion into a career? Wildlife sanctuaries, conservation organisations, wildlife parks and zoo’s hire staff to work animals all around the world.
You will usually need a degree/background in a related subject like zoology or veterinary to get a paying role, although some organisations do hire staff to work in marketing or in-country management and coordinator roles.