Would you like to experience first-hand how endangered wild animals are rescued and cared for? In our Wildlife Rescue Center, in the tropical south of Thailand, hundreds of animals from illegal trade, the tourism sector or illegal keeping find a new home. Gibbons, macaques, bears, birds and many other species that have previously experienced terrible things live here. As a volunteer, you will support the daily care, prepare food and provide the animals with a variety of activities. A clear "hands-off" principle applies here, as the aim is to prepare the animals for a return to the wild in the best possible way.
But it's about more than just care. The center is actively committed to education and species conservation in order to stop the exploitation of wild animals in the long term. By getting involved, you will become part of an international community that is passionate about protecting animals in their habitats. Are you ready to get involved and make a real difference?
Deep in the heart of Thailand lies our Wildlife Rescue Center, which has been pursuing an unparalleled mission since its founding in 2001. The rescue, rehabilitation and protection of wildlife that has fallen victim to illegal trade, abuse and exploitative tourism. Founded by a dedicated Dutch conservationist, the project began with the visionary idea of providing a safe haven for wild animals suffering under cruel conditions. A home was created that comes as close as possible to the animals' natural environment and gives them a second chance at a life worth living.
The origins of the project are closely linked to the local community in Phetchaburi province, where the abbot of Wat Khao Look Chang temple generously donated a large piece of land. This land became home to the first rescued animals and formed the basis for what is now one of Thailand's most important wildlife conservation centers. From the outset, collaboration with the local community has been a key component, both to ensure local acceptance and support and to develop sustainable solutions for biodiversity conservation in the region. Since its inception, the project has rescued thousands of animals, each with their own story. Many come from illegal animal trade, others were abandoned as unwanted pets or rescued from the cruel tourism industry.
The mission of the Wildlife Rescue project is clear and ambitious. It is not just about rescuing animals from acute emergencies, but also rehabilitating them in the best possible way and, wherever possible, releasing them back into the wild. The project places particular emphasis on a hands-off philosophy. This means that volunteers and employees do not come into physical contact with the animals so as not to stress them unnecessarily or impair their natural behavior. The aim is to provide the animals with an environment that is as close as possible to their original habitat through careful care and near-natural habitats. For animals that can no longer be released into the wild due to their history, the project creates permanently safe and species-appropriate habitats in which they can spend the rest of their lives.
In addition to direct animal care, educational work plays a crucial role. The project sees education as one of the most important levers for curbing animal cruelty and exploitation in the long term. Awareness of species-appropriate treatment of wild animals is raised among both the local population and tourists, and responsible tourism is promoted. This is because mass tourism in Thailand often unintentionally contributes to animals being misused as photo objects, in show programs or as "attractions". The Wildlife Rescue Project focuses on intensive awareness-raising work that not only provides information, but also encourages people to think and act differently. Guided tours and workshops are used to educate visitors about the links between animal welfare, species conservation and illegal trade, thus raising awareness of the consequences of their own behavior. The conviction is that only if the demand for animal exploitation decreases can it be stopped in the long term.
The special feature of the project is the variety of animals cared for and the combination of rescue, rehabilitation and educational work. The Rescue Center is currently home to over 800 animals of various species, such as six gibbon and macaque species, lorises, langurs (primates) and bears, as well as small wild cats, birds, reptiles and many more. Many animals have experienced terrible things. They have been taken from the jungle as babies, kept as pets or abused in tourist attractions. Others have been victims of traffic accidents or injuries caused by human influence. At the Rescue Center, they not only receive medical treatment and care, but also a natural environment to strengthen their physical and mental abilities.
The day-to-day work at the Rescue Center would hardly be possible without the support of volunteers and donations. As a non-profit organization, the project is largely financed by contributions and the efforts of the volunteer teams, who come from all over the world. The volunteers take on important tasks, such as providing the animals with food and water, cleaning and maintaining the enclosures and creating a natural habitat that promotes the animals' well-being. In this way, they make an indispensable contribution to the sustainable care of the animals and enable the animal keepers and vets to concentrate on medical treatment and rehabilitation. Without the active help of the volunteers, the extensive work at the Rescue Center would not be possible.
The Wildlife Rescue Project sees itself not only as a refuge for animals, but also as an active part in the fight against wildlife trade and animal exploitation. It works closely with national and international organizations to prevent poaching, illegal trade and exploitative forms of tourism. The project is also a living example of how long-term commitment and broad support can bring about sustainable change. It combines the protection of nature with social responsibility and education and shows how humans and animals can live together in a better future.
By supporting the Wildlife Rescue Project or getting involved locally, you are helping to give more and more animals a real chance of a better life. Every bit of help counts, be it through donations, volunteer work or spreading knowledge and awareness of the problems. At a time when many animal species around the world are threatened with extinction, this project sends a strong signal of compassion, responsibility and active species protection.
Volunteers are at the heart of the day-to-day work at the Wildlife Rescue Center. The diverse tasks on site are essential in order to provide the rescued animals with the best possible care and a species-appropriate life. This ranges from the direct care of the animals to the care and maintenance of the enclosures and the surrounding natural areas. Our volunteers have the opportunity to play an active and responsible role, regardless of whether you are working on such a project for the first time or already have experience.
The working day at the center starts at 06:00 in the morning. As a rule, the working day ends at 17:00, including several breaks for breakfast, lunch and short rest breaks. Volunteers work six days a week and have one day off to rest and explore the surrounding area. The work can be physically demanding, especially maintaining the enclosures and caring for the larger animals, but the motivation and knowledge that the animals are being helped makes every effort worthwhile.
The tasks at the center are wide-ranging and offer something suitable for different interests and abilities. The main tasks include preparing and distributing food. This is an important part of the daily routine, as the animals need a balanced and species-appropriate diet that is regularly freshly prepared and distributed. In addition to feeding, the so-called "behavioral enrichments" are also part of the daily tasks. These are activities that help the animals to be mentally and physically active and encourage behaviors that they would exhibit in their natural environment. These can be, for example, special toys, hidden treats or new natural materials.
The volunteers also help with the maintenance and design of the animals' habitats, known as "environmental enrichments". This involves designing and maintaining the surroundings of the enclosures so that they offer the animals conditions that are as close to nature as possible. This includes planting trees and shrubs, maintaining the grass areas and creating natural hiding places and watering holes.
An important part of the work also involves cleaning the enclosures. This includes not only removing faeces and waste, but also thoroughly cleaning the water basins and pools that many animals use to cool off. Clean and well-maintained enclosures are crucial for the health and well-being of the animals.
In addition to these core tasks, the general maintenance of the Wildlife Rescue Center and the adjacent forest area is also part of the volunteers' duties. This includes various maintenance work, repairs and looking after the natural areas.
The daily tasks are coordinated by experienced volunteer coordinators who put together working groups every day. The individual strengths, experience and working speed of the volunteers are taken into account. The work is supervised by team leaders, most of whom have been involved in the project for a longer period of time themselves and thus offer guidance and support. This allows everyone to work at their own pace and make optimum use of their skills.
Volunteers do not usually have a free choice of all tasks, as they are allocated according to the needs of the day and the skills of the volunteers. Nevertheless, for the most part there is scope to agree wishes or special interests with the coordinators. Anyone who feels overwhelmed or would like to take on more responsibility will always find a sympathetic ear. The aim is for everyone to be able to make a contribution that suits their individual abilities.
In addition to the work that benefits the animals, volunteers are asked to help with additional tasks at the Voluteer House. One example of this is the so-called "doggie duty", where two volunteers per day are responsible for the care, feeding and walking of the dogs that live in the Voluteer House.
The coordinators are present throughout the working day to answer questions and support the teams. This ensures that the work is carried out efficiently and safely and that every volunteer can fulfill their role well. They are also there to support you in the event of challenges or health problems.
The commitment of the volunteers is essential to the success of the center. Without their active support in the daily tasks, the care and rehabilitation of the animals would not be possible. Everyone who helps on site contributes in their own way to giving the animals a better life and promoting the protection of endangered species.
Those who decide to work at the center can not only gain practical experience in animal welfare work, but also make a valuable contribution to the preservation of biodiversity. The diverse tasks offer a unique opportunity to experience at first hand how nature conservation and animal welfare are implemented in a committed, international team. This often leads to valuable friendships and unforgettable experiences that go far beyond the project.
The Wildlife Rescue Center is located in the tranquil province of Phetchaburi, surrounded by lush nature and a warm village community. The place offers the perfect mix of dedicated animal welfare work and an authentic Thailand experience. Here you are far away from mass tourism and instead immerse yourself in an environment characterized by respect for nature and animals.
Just a few minutes' walk from the center, you will find a small temple that you can visit in your free time or a river that is ideal for swimming, especially after a hot day at work. In the evenings, cosy seating areas and hammocks invite you to relax, and joint activities such as quiz evenings, lectures or soccer matches are regularly organized.
In the nearby village, you can discover small stores, markets and restaurants. For larger excursions, Cha-am (30 minutes away by cab) offers a lively night market, bars and restaurants. You will find even more choice in Hua Hin (45 minutes away), where there are markets and beaches as well as larger stores. The volunteer coordinators will be happy to help you organize your trips.
Even though the Rescue Center is located in a rural area, you are well looked after. You will find pharmacies and a smaller clinic in the surrounding area, and there is a large hospital in Hua Hin.
One day off per week gives you the opportunity to get to know the country and its people better. Whether by the sea, in the city or in the countryside - the possibilities are endless. The location combines tranquillity and closeness to nature with the safety and infrastructure needed for a carefree volunteer experience.
You can also easily reach the Wildlife Rescue Center with an organized transfer. The journey from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang or your hostel) takes around three hours. Pick-ups from Bangkok take place daily between 06:00 and 14:00 so that the team can meet you personally.
If you are already on the coast, you can alternatively be picked up in Hua Hin (approx. 1 hour away) or in Cha-am (approx. 45 minutes away).
To volunteer at the Wildlife Rescue Center, you should be at least 18 years old and feel physically and mentally resilient. The work takes place mainly outdoors and requires you to be able to cope well with high temperatures, strong sunlight and high humidity. No previous experience in animal welfare is required. It is more important that you are open to new experiences, work carefully and can get involved in different tasks.
If you enjoy supporting wild animals, actively participating in nature conservation and working with people from all over the world, you will quickly feel at home here. Respectful and helpful interaction with animals and people is a matter of course.
The employees in the project speak English or Thai. You should have a good command of English to be able to understand and complete all tasks. It will also help you to coordinate, exchange ideas and integrate with employees and your fellow volunteers.
As a volunteer at the Wildlife Rescue Center, you will live in simple but comfortable European-style bungalows, which are located directly on the project site. The rooms are usually occupied by two to four people. All rooms have electricity, fresh bed linen is included every week, but you must bring your own towels.
The sanitary facilities are partly connected to the rooms, partly shared, equipped with western toilets and cold showers. Your room will be cleaned before your arrival and you will be responsible for keeping it tidy during your stay.
Three meals a day are prepared for you: Breakfast with bread, egg or fruit, lunch and dinner are mainly local dishes. Vegetarian and vegan options are always available and twice a week you can look forward to Western cuisine. Drinking water is always available free of charge.
You will also find two common areas on site, free Wi-Fi, a laundry, a small kiosk with snacks, coffee and drinks, as well as a small bar that is open in the evenings. This means there is also space to relax and socialize with other volunteers after work.
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
Advice and travel preparation
On-site advice and support
Sign up for a non-binding wanderlust consultation with us and we'll talk about all your questions, wishes and concerns.
Let us plan your trip to Costa Rica together. Without obligation and free of charge.
MO - FR 09:00-18:00
Or apply here for a consultation appointment by phone or video call.
