Volunteer in Asia

Volunteer in Cambodia

Free the Bears Fund now offers the chance for supporters to come and work with the bears at our sanctuary in Cambodia. In exchange for a small fee (all of which goes directly to support the bears) you can now come and help our keepers look after the bears for up to eight weeks (one week minimum stay). Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre (PTWRC) is very large and houses many species. Volunteers will be working with our groups of rescued Sun bears and Asiatic Black bears. We currently house over 110 bears in 21 large outdoor enclosures covering about 7 hectares. The enclosures are very natural and have large rocky outcrops, native fauna, climbing frames and platforms, pools and other enrichments. It is a safe and happy home to bears that have been rescued from a range of different situations including poachers, the black market, the bile farm industry and businesses using them for entertainment, trades which often leave behind very young orphaned cubs.
For more information and an application form, please contact us at volunteercambodia.ftb@gmail.com

SHOULD I BE EXPERIENCED IN WILD ANIMAL CARE?

Not necessarily, you just need to be willing and enthusiastic and have a strong interest in conservation and wildlife. You will be fully trained by experienced animal keepers and supervised at all times. We just ask that you always listen to the keepers and follow their instructions carefully.

HOW CLOSELY WILL I BE WORKING WITH THE BEARS?

There will be tasks that will not involve direct contact with the bears, but will benefit them greatly. These include building new enrichments, repairing and maintaining their enclosures and maintenance of the area surrounding the enclosures. You will also get to work with the keepers giving out the daily feeds and cleaning the enclosures (the bears will be brought in to holding cages whilst you are in the enclosure). Obviously, direct physical contact is not possible as these are large wild animals and can potentially be dangerous.

IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT ON THE PROGRAMME?

Due to the nature of the program and the kind of work involved we do have to impose a minimum age limit of 21.

THE BENEFITS

You will have a unique, once in a lifetime chance to get behind the scenes of this world class bear rescue facility. Your time and your financial contribution will provide critical aid enabling us to rescue more bears and continue to improve and enrich their lives. On a personal level you will have an amazing opportunity to work alongside these incredible animals and gain the satisfaction of helping to make a difference to their lives.
THANK YOU! For choosing to help us.

Extra Volunteer positions are needed for those with the following skills;

 

Architects

  •  Help design our next bear house in Cambodia that will hold 10-15 bears.
  • Draw detailed plans of our existing bear houses so that we can share these with other groups planning to rescue bears.
  •  Conduct evaluations on existing infrastructure.
  • Estimated duration of assignment -  2 to 4 weeks

Landscaper/Gardener

  • Help design, build and plant garden areas surrounding the bear enclosures.
  • To help with designing an herb/enrichment garden area so that we can grow herbs especially for the bears.
  • Estimated duration of assignment – minimum 2 weeks

 Tilers

  • Help tile our new Enrichment room, cub nursery area, and quarantine area.
  • Help train local staff professional tiling skills.
  • Estimated duration of assignment – minimum 2 weeks

Artist

  • Design and paint viewing areas, bear houses and other places throughout the sanctuary with a natural bush/wildlife theme.
  • Estimated duration of assignment – minimum 3 weeks

Painter/Decorators

  • Help design, theme and paint our volunteer house.
  • Estimated duration of assignment – 3 weeks with some time spent at the bear sanctuary

Welder

  • Help design and weld new bear transportation crates for bear rescues.
  • Estimated duration of assignment – 2 weeks

 Graphic Designer

  • Help design promotional materials and educational signage for the sanctuary.
  • Estimated duration of assignment 3 weeks

 Tree surgeon

  • Our Laos sanctuary is set within an ancient forest area with many tall old trees. Help us identify most high risk trees and work with local staff to safely remove any dead trees or overhanging branches from our existing bear areas and new developments.
  • Estimated duration of assignment – 3 weeks (safety equipment is not available in Laos and so should be brought from overseas)

 

All of the above skilled volunteer assignments are at our Cambodian Bear Sanctuary with the exception of the Tree surgeon position which is based at our Laos sanctuary near Luang Prabang. Please contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator on volunteercambodia.ftb@gmail.com for more information.