Listen to The Volunteer Traveler series one now

Thai Wildlife Rehabilitation & Care

Excellent
0%

What Does the Ethical Score Mean?

Each project on our website features an Ethical Score—a transparent rating from our EthicCheck tool. It’s based on evidence from our project partners and measured against key ethical criteria: animal welfare, community impact, environmental sustainability, and transparency.

Grounded in expert standards and the values of ethical travellers like you, this score shows how a project actually performs—not just what it claims.

This strictly “hands off” centre rescues animals from places where they are maltreated and/or neglected and provides a sanctuary as close to their natural environment as possible with the best possible care. Some animals are nursed back to health and are released back into the wild while others are unable to be rehabilitated and spend the rest of their lives at the centre. There are currently over 400 rescued animals including 5 different species of macaque, 6 species of gibbon, civets, leopard cats, orangutans, sun bears and Asiatic black bears, a crocodile, a binturong , exotic birds and over 250 primates.

The centre aims to educate Thai people, particularly children, to end cruelty to animals. This is achieved through education programs held in schools and at the centre. Staff campaign against the illegal wildlife trade and the use of animals for entertainment, for example the use of animals in live shows, elephant riding and the use of animals as photo props. They aim to put a stop to hunting. By educating local people, tourists and the international community to appreciate, understand and protect wild animals and their rainforest habitat, the centre hopes to promote the conservation of all natural resources, fauna and flora alike.

Your Contribution

Volunteers are responsible for feeding and watering the animals, cleaning enclosures, providing enrichments, planting trees, assisting with tours for visitors, the construction and maintenance work of cages and enclosures and keeping the Centre’s grounds clean.

You make a positive difference to the lives of the animals at the centre by caring for and enriching the lives of a variety of wildlife.

Special projects for long term volunteers include the care of baby primates, working with animals in the quarantine area and animal rescues.

You are involved in the daily routine of caring for the resident wildlife at the centre.

Animals are fed several times a day therefore food preparation and feeding plays a large part in caring for each animal.

Each day you will be provide entertainment by preparing food games and enrichments for the animals. Enclosures require cleaning and the collection and cleaning of food bowls is required.

Rotational tasks include keeping the volunteer house tidy, sweeping paths, kitchen duties and feeding, washing and grooming the resident dogs.

Although you work very closely with the animals, there is a strict “hands off” policy for most of the animals.

Age requirement is18 years of age.

No specific skills are required other than a love for animals, a genuine need to help them and a hard working ethic.

You need to be in good physical condition due to the nature of the work undertaken in a hot and humid environment.

You should be patient, caring, willing to accept new ideas and be prepared to be challenged by alternative cultural views on the treatment of animals.

The main challenge is the heat and humidity In the Wet season and it can be difficult for people if they are not used to it. It can be very emotional work treating and caring for sick and abused animals so you should try to be prepared for this. Be rest assured that you are amongst like-minded people who are experiencing the same feelings and emotions as you and will be there to support you.

The work at the centre is both demanding and physical, especially in the hot months.

Sunday – Sunday, all year.

Minimum 1 week.

6 days a week 6.30am – 5pm.

Basic shared rooms for 2-4 people on site at the centre.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner with vegetarian and vegan options.

Fresh, filtered water is provided.

From AUD $58 a day

Duration Cost (AUD)
1 week $1175
2 weeks $1775
3 weeks $2280
4 weeks $2785
5 weeks $3285
6 weeks $3790
Each additional week $400

What’s included:

  • Pre-departure support
  • Project Information Booklet
  • Project orientation
  • Training Field equipment and materials
  • Return daily transfers from Cairns to the island
  • Accommodation in Cairns (unless not required)
  • Breakfast (with Cairns accommodation included option only)
  • Return daily transfers from Cairns to the island
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • 24-hour O2E emergency phone
  • Certificate of Participation, if requested


*Please note some items are not included in the project fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country tours and return airport transfer (unless mentioned above). Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the O2E Volunteers Terms and Conditions.

Accommodation & Location

Prices from *$555 per day

*Prices may vary depending on the package chosen
Duration Cost (AUD)
2 weeks $2200
4 weeks $4471
Accommodation upgrades are available, email us!

How Your Contribution Creates Impact

1

Money to the Project 35%

Direct support for wildlife, marine conservation, or community initiatives.

2

Operations Costs 41%

Essential resources to keep our programs running smoothly and ethically.

3

Accommodation 35%

Comfortable, eco-conscious lodging for your stay.

4

Catering 51%

Locally sourced meals to fuel your experience.

5

Taxes & Charges 62%

Mandatory contributions to ensure compliance with local and international regulations.

6

Donation 55%

Additional funds to amplify the long-term impact of conservation and ethical projects.

What’s Included:

*Please note some items are not included in the project fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country tours and return airport transfer (unless mentioned above). Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the O2E Volunteers Terms and Conditions.

"It was hands-on, hard work and very satisfying. The highlight of each day was watching the keepers distribute the new enrichment items and observing and noting how the orangutans interacted with them. I was moved to tears! "
Emma D.
Sweden

How to Get Started

01

Pick a project and apply for free

02

Receive your acceptance email

03

Pay your $495AUD deposit which confirms your placement

04

Receive your first email from your customer care coordinator

05

Save, pack, go!

wpChatIcon
wpChatIcon