7 Best Volunteer Abroad Programs for Animal Lovers: A Comprehensive List

If you are someone who loves to spend time with animals and wishes to do something meaningful for animal conservation initiatives across the globe, then we have a wide range of amazing wildlife conservation and animal care volunteer programs for you.

Whether it’s rehabilitating sun bears in Borneo, looking after lions in South Africa, nurturing turtles in Costa Rica, or making sure that elephants in Thailand are properly cared for – there are so many projects available across the world, where you can make a real difference.

Volunteering abroad on a wildlife conservation project is an excellent way to make a difference in the lives of animals and provide them with the care they deserve. You might even end up working with some of the world’s most endangered species, helping to secure a brighter future for them.

It’s not just that – but volunteering is a double-sided coin, and you’ll also highly benefit from these programs. While working alongside professional conservationists, you’ll learn more about the endangered species, about the flora and fauna of the host country, as well as know what goes into protecting Mother Earth.

What Are The Responsibilities of a Volunteer For Wildlife Conservation Program?

You can learn about these animals’ habitation and living conditions and look after them with the utmost care while volunteering with animals.

Participants will have the chance to work under professional conservationists and it’ll be an opportunity of a lifetime to learn the basics of wildlife conservation techniques.

As a part of the Marine Conservation Programs, volunteers will have to clean the beaches, spread awareness related to the reduction of plastic usage, etc.

In some countries, you will also get to host workshops and awareness campaigns, to make the local people aware of the importance of wildlife and environment conservation.

Here are the 7 best volunteer abroad programs for animal lovers:

1. Volunteering at an Elephant Village in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular backpacking destinations in the world, which attracts gap year travelers as well as student volunteers who wish to contribute meaningfully to society. And if you are an animal lover, craving to spend some quality time with Asian elephants – then we’ve curated the best program for you! Embark on a mission trip to Thailand and volunteer for the elephants, assisting the mahouts at an elephant village in Chiang Mai.

As a volunteer, your main work will be to collect elephant feed from the forest, help in making their vitamins, take them for walks, morning and evening bathes, and take care of baby elephants. Not just that, you’ll also get to explore the quaint town of Chiang Mai during your volunteer trip, visit the temples (Wats, as the Thai people call them!), savor the authentic taste of Northern Thai cuisine, and more!

Program Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Program Duration: Minimum 1 week to maximum 8 weeks

 

2. Volunteer for the Sea Turtle Conservation Program in Sri Lanka

If you are a ‘beach baby’ and wish to spend time soaking in the sunshine by the blues, then this would be the perfect opportunity for you to travel and volunteer in Sri Lanka. As a volunteer for the Sea Turtle Conservation program, you will be working in Galle and your main tasks will be to take care of the turtle eggs and save them from poachers, take care of the baby turtles after the eggs hatch, prepare food for the baby turtles and hand-feed them when necessary.

You’ll also be going out for beach cleaning and patrolling, as well as teaching the local communities about the prospects of nature conservation. Apart from volunteering, you will get to relax and enjoy the project location – it is absolutely stunning! You can also learn to surf during your free time, or take a quick whale-watching trip.

Program Location: Galle, Sri Lanka
Program Duration: Minimum 1 week to maximum 8 weeks

 

3. Penguin and Marine Bird Rescue Center Volunteering in South Africa

I know that sounds fun, right? Well, this one-of-a-kind opportunity will not only let you volunteer for marine life, and work for vulnerable African Penguins in Algoa Bay, but you’ll also be living in a gorgeous place of Port Elizabeth, South Africa that’s located 425 miles east of the Cape of Good Hope. Here, you’ll be working alongside professional conservationists and learn more about the conservation efforts for marine birds such as gannets, cormorants, seagulls, etc.

Your main tasks would include preparing food for the birds, feeding the penguins, cleaning the conservation area, and also, you’ll get to explore the incredibly diverse flora and fauna of Algoa Bay. This program is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and student groups who wish to volunteer and protect endangered marine birds while gaining first-hand work experience.

Program Location: Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Program Duration: Minimum 6 weeks to maximum 8 weeks

 

4. Wildlife & Animal Rescue Center Volunteering in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a heaven for nature lovers, and home to nearly 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Needless to say, this country has a rich variety of flora and fauna thriving here, and there are more than 200 species of mammals and more than 800 species of birds. When you choose to be a volunteer at the animal rescue center in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, you’ll get the chance to live amidst nature, spending ample time with the animals and working closely with an experienced team of conservationists.

With a focus on monkeys, sloths, other mammals, birds, and reptiles; the center provides veterinary services, round-the-clock care, and comfort to animals that would otherwise be unable to survive in the rainforest of this region. Volunteering Solutions, in association with local Costa Rican organizations, is trying to protect these animals and the forests, and as a volunteer, you’ll get to play an important role.

Program Location: Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Program Duration: Minimum 4 weeks to maximum 6 weeks

 

5. Sun Bear Conservation Volunteering Project in Malaysia

Did you know that sun bear is the smallest species of bear in the world? And now, they are only found in parts of Southeast Asia and they are highly endangered. So if you are a wildlife enthusiast, planning to volunteer abroad for animal conservation, you can join this Short-Term Volunteering opportunity in Malaysia, where you’ll get to spend 2 weeks at a Sun Bear Conservation Centre.

As a volunteer, you will be living approximately 19 km from Sandakan town, where the conservation center is located, and there are more than 25 sun bears. Your main tasks would be to clean their dens, make their food, feed them, and keep the environment clean for these little animals. You’ll be working alongside the local team, and also gain an understanding of Malaysian culture. It’s a perfect program for group volunteering as well as for gap year travelers who are looking for meaningful opportunities.

Program Location: Borneo, Malaysia
Program Duration: 2-week program

 

6. Marine Conservation Volunteering Program in Bali

If you’re seeking some sun, sea, and sunshine during your next volunteer trip, then this program is for you. Pack your bags for Bali and volunteer for the marine conservation program in Tianyar, a small fishing village in the northern part of Bali, approximately a 3 – 4 hour drive from Denpasar. Due to global warming and climate change, the coral reefs here are in poor condition and many years of unsustainable fishing practices have led to a depletion in marine lives thriving here as well.

As a volunteer, you will be working with scientists, conservationists, and professional divers, who are trying to protect the fragile ecosystem and also provide a sustainable future for the livelihood of folks residing in Tianyar. You can teach English to the youth, helping them to earn a livelihood as tour guides so that they do not rely only on extracting and exploiting resources from the sea.

You can also spread awareness among the local fishermen and their families about sustainability, marine life, and risks from elements like plastic waste, etc. Make the most of your free time to explore the gorgeous island and have some fun in the sun too!

Program Location: Tianyar, Bali
Program Duration: Minimum 1 week to maximum 8 weeks

 

7. Conservation Volunteer For Endangered Animals in Australia

Australia has so much to offer travelers, that one trip to the Land Down Under can never be enough! But when you choose to volunteer in Australia, you definitely stand a chance to explore more meaningfully, unlike other travelers. As a volunteer for the conservation program in Australia, you’ll be living near Mount Larcom in the northern part of the country.

You’ll be working at a rescue center, which is also a shelter home for animals like Bridled Nailtail Wallaby and Northern and Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats, Koalas, as well as various species of reptiles.

You’ll get a chance to work closely with professional conservationists, learn how to take care of sick and injured animals and nurse them before releasing them back into the wild.

It’ll be a chance for you to also closely observe the native species, which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. And of course, while you’re in Australia (along with a bunch of like-minded travelers and fellow volunteers) you must travel and explore too!

Program Location: Gladstone, Australia
Program Duration: Minimum 2 weeks to maximum 6 weeks

 

So what are you waiting for? If you are an animal lover or wish to meaningfully contribute towards wildlife conservation, It’s time that you become more careful and conscious – and do whatever you can to make this world a better place for them.

To learn more about the wildlife conservation programs, you can also get in touch with our Program Advisors. Drop us a mail at [email protected] and our team will get back to you.

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