Here are the most popular Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Programs that you can choose to be a part of.
Everyone deserves a vacation – especially after this whole pandemic situation that has forced us to be indoors for nearly 2 years – it's time to set out and explore the world like never before. If you’re the kind who’s always glued to the wildlife shows on the TV, it’s time to get up off your couch and get on a plane, to be a volunteer for a conservation project!
Extinction of wild animals is a global crisis as of today's date, and poaching often makes headlines, but habitat loss and environmental pollution are also major killers. Climate change could also cause as many as one in six of the planet’s species to be lost forever to extinction if the world fails to take action, according to a study. There are 17 animals on the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) critically endangered list, including three species of rhino, six primates, and two big cats.
Volunteering Solutions, an international organization offering incredible conservation opportunities to the enthusiasts, recently came up with a study showing the fastest declining animals in the world. It's time that you and I become more careful and conscious – and do whatever we can to make this world a better place for them. Come, take a walk on the wilder side and bring along your zingy energy ’cause now you can be a part of a meaningful wildlife conservation volunteering program, contributing towards saving the lives of some unique species out there.
Collaborating with local conservationists, Volunteering Solutions has been running their conservation programs in countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Ecuador, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, etc. No matter whether you're keen to volunteer with elephants or spend time on the beaches protecting the Turtles – your wildlife volunteering experience will turn out to be an incredible one!
Here are the most popular Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Programs that you can choose to be a part of.
Volunteer in Thailand to serve at an Elephant Village
Considered to be one of the most popular backpacking destinations in the world, Thailand attracts thousands of travelers every year. But if you wish to experience something new and absolutely different, you gotta spend some time in this elephant village in Northern Thailand, where the Asian Elephants are being taken care of. Volunteers usually engage themselves in various works including assisting the mahouts, collecting elephant feed from the forest, helping in making their vitamins, taking them for walks, morning and evening bathes and taking care of baby elephants.
Volunteer at Turtle Conservation Program in Sri Lanka
Absolutely apt for those who are eager to work for marine conservation and contribute towards saving the sea turtles. The main tasks would be to bury the eggs in order to save them from poachers, take utmost care of the baby turtles once the eggs hatch, prepare food for the turtles and hand-feed them and patrol the beach at night. Apart from volunteering, participants would get to relax and enjoy the project location – it is absolutely exotic!
Volunteer at a Wildlife Reserve near Port Elizabeth in South Africa
When we think of wildlife, the first name that comes to mind is ‘Africa’! But sadly, the majority of African wildlife have been suffering due to human actions for decades, and it seems that there’s no pause to it. The organization has taken this initiative to contribute towards the well-being of the wildlife, including the BIG 5. Volunteers work under the guidance of professionals and we’d ensure that you have an amazing experience. Major tasks would include lion tracking and monitoring, removal of alien vegetation in and around the reserve, game counts, anti-poaching efforts etc.
Volunteer in Costa Rica At Wildlife & Rescue Center
Volunteers who’ll join this project will get a chance of working in the rescue centers where animal victims of repossession, loss of habitat, and accidents from all across the country are brought by the local officials. The animals and birds are treated here, till they get well enough to return back to their natural habitat. This project is meant for those who are eager to spend some quality time amidst nature and gain some good work experience.
Volunteer at the Amazon Animal Rescue Center in Ecuador
This program is organized in association with Ecuadorian Environmental Police (UPMA) and the Ministry of Environment, Ecuador, who are looking into the matter of trafficking, abuse, capture, and hunting of wild animals in the region. Amazon is one of the most popular rainforest zones in the world, with a huge variety of animals dwelling there. Volunteers will have to do repairing and construction works, cleaning the enclosures, preparing food for the animals, and assisting the Vet whenever necessary.
And this isn’t all – recently, Volunteering Solutions tied up with OneTreePlanted – with the pledge to plant a tree for every volunteer who joins their programs. The aim is to support global reforestation that would eventually reduce the impacts of global warming and climate change, giving the volunteers a sense of fulfillment through a sustainable action taken and raising awareness about the importance of ecosystem restoration.
Photo by Ana Frantz on Unsplash
Riyanka Roy is an ordinary girl with some extraordinary dreams. She loves to believe in the miracles of destiny and wants to travel all over the world, spend time with the natives, binge on local food, and absorb their culture. She feels that she’s born with vagabond blood, and stagnation makes her feel claustrophobic. Life, for her, is like a book, and she loves writing about everything interesting she comes across. She believes that her stories make the chapters of her book more colorful. Read more about her adventures on Roy Tells Tales and follow her journeys on Instagram.
