Wildlife conservation and community volunteer projects and internships worldwide
Organisation: WorkingAbroad Projects
Country: South Africa
Volunteer at an ethical big cat Sanctuary in South Africa. Contribute towards animal welfare whilst learning about the conditions big cats face in captivity and helping to raise awareness of wildlife conservation in South Africa.
You can join for 2 weeks up to 3 months all year round.
Individuals, groups and students all welcome.
Volunteer in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and take part in a coral reef monitoring and marine conservation programme. Become the volunteer coordinator and be responsible for the coordination of all volunteers helping in the beautiful Blue Bay Marine Park. Interns can join the project all year round for 2 to 5 months.
As a volunteer on the San Bushmen Medical Programme, you will help provide primary healthcare to the local community and surrounding area in which around 500 San and Herero people live. Around 80% of the patients treated are San. The San are considered to be the oldest culture in the world and currently live in extreme poverty. Often suffering from malnutrition, disease, discrimination and abuse the San Bushmen Programme is providing a lifeline to this community through healthcare and education.
Volunteer at a wildlife reserve in South Africa. A true bush experience which gives volunteers a chance to live amongst and help to protect a range of amazing wildlife species.
Become an environmental volunteer in Ecuador to conserve a part of the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest and get involved in reforestation, organic agriculture, sustainable living and building projects.
This unique opportunity allows volunteers to experience and learn from our inspiring Anti-Poaching Unit (APU), who dedicate their lives to protecting our wildlife. In today’s world, these efforts are of increasing importance for us to ensure the survival of the majestic animals who are at home here in Namibia but at risk every day.
The objectives of the Butterfly Garden project is the investigation of native species of butterflies (Siproeta stelenes, Caligo memnon, Heraclides thoas, Dryas iulia) in the reserve and all aspects of their reproductive cycle and plant foods. Environmental education workshops will also take place, whereby members of the local community will visit the garden and volunteers will help to conduct educational tours and classes. Volunteers can also help to develop workshops for local schools.
This project offers volunteers who enjoy the outdoors the chance to take part in projects undertaken in the Valencia region aimed at the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems from degradation, the improvement of water resources, the prevention of forest fires, the reforestation of the land with native species and the conservation of natural habitats and species in danger of extinction.
Opportunity for Ecology and Botany students to work closely with conservation professionals in the Zumwalt Prairie in North Eastern Oregon in the USA.
Become a Wildlife Conservation Volunteer in a Big Five Game Reserve in South Africa, and get involved in elephant, rhino and lion monitoring programmes.
Volunteers can join the tree boa research study taking place at night time. These reptiles are an important part of the ecosystem, depending on the wetlands nearby. The aim of the research is to determinate the population size, local movements of the individuals and add more data to the biology of the species by getting morphometric data, to determine aspects such as the sex ratio in the population.
Our 4 week Primatology Field Course is a comprehensive introduction to field primatology with particular focus on the mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) and the white-faced capuchin (Cebus capucinus) in the Nicoya Peninsula. This course is most suitable for students at an advanced undergraduate or early postgraduate level, or recent graduates who have a keen interest, but little experience, in field primatology and wish to pursue a future in independent research.
Live alongside a family and help them work in the nearby rice fields. Placements are available in several locations including the Terai of Chitwan in southern Nepal, and the foothills of the Himalayas near Gerkhu. By becoming a part of the family you will truly experience the real life of Nepal and its people. Volunteer for between 2 and 16 weeks.
This is a Summer programme which is ideal for groups of volunteers who do not have much time to travel (one or two weeks) but still want to do something worthwhile. This project is only available for group bookings (minimum of 5 participants). The aim of this programme is to help to conserve a part of the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest by participating in tree planting, trail work, research activities, sustainable living and food production as well as community projects.
Medical volunteers are needed to help to provide basic first aid & medical education to the population, to record healthcare data and identify any issues which may be specific to the area, do basic testing (e.g. blood pressure, blood glucose, hearing) and so on, at medical camps run in rural Nepal. It’s very challenging work, but an effective way of providing healthcare to remote areas. The project runs on set camp dates throughout the year.
The aim of this programme is to help to conserve a part of the Ecuadorian Cloud Forest by participating in tree planting, trail work, research activities, sustainable living and food production as well as community projects. Conservation and Sustainability Volunteers can join this programme all year round from 1 week up to 3 months in duration. We also offer weekly lectures, bi-weekly hikes, the opportunity for cultural exchange with the Ecuadorian staff, and friendships with other volunteers from around the world.
Help communities conserve their local environments in the Cusco region of Peru by supporting planting and reforestation projects. At this project, volunteers assist families in different communities located outside of the city of Cusco. The focus is environmental conservation through tree planting in different districts of the Cusco region. The project will provide support to the farmers, who develop their own planting and reforestation projects. In the field, the team of coordinators and peasant experts will support and guide the volunteer.
Located in the majestic Naukluft Mountain range and the Tsauchab river system these environments along with springs provide specialised ecosystems and contain highly adapted wildlife that the Neuras team strives to protect and study. As well as protecting wildlife Neuras also produces wine on-site and volunteers can assist with harvesting, bottling, and labelling, all of which are done by hand. This novel approach helps to sustain the conservation project.
Volunteering at the wildlife sanctuary will provide you with a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with African wildlife. The project provides refuge for orphaned and injured animals including baboons, caracals, wild dogs, cheetahs, leopards and lions. As a volunteer, you will be involved with caring for and feeding the animals as well as helping to maintain and develop the sanctuary.
Follow the tracks of Wolves and Lynx in the beautiful Tatra mountains in Slovakia. Learn about the art of tracking, reading signs in nature and also about the plight of the mythic wolf.
The project rescues a number of orphaned, injured, and displaced wildlife found in cities and locations from wherever they are forced to work in India. As a volunteer with wildlife in India, you will have the opportunity to assist with the conservation and support of elephants at the project’s ethical rescue centres. Typical duties with the elephants include chopping fruit, feeding them, and going on walks.
Volunteer in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and take part in a coral reef monitoring and marine conservation volunteer programme, which includes coral reef farming and restoration, lagoon monitoring and sea turtle research in the beautiful Blue Bay Marine Park. Short-term volunteers can join the project all year round for 2 weeks up to 3 months.
This Wildlife Rescue centre rescues injured and abandoned animals with the aim of returning them to the wild as soon as they are fit and able. There are opportunities for volunteers to work with animals and help improve the rescue centre, whilst also having the opportunity to learn Spanish, and take yoga and surf lessons. Located in the stunning Nicoya province on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in a paradisical location surrounded by a large tropical garden overlooking the sea.
The research focuses on the spectacularly large fin whale as well as on sperm whales, Risso’s dolphins, pilot whales, striped and bottlenose dolphins.
As a Galapagos Tortoise conservation volunteer, you will work with the Galapagos National Park as a member of the staff at the Tortoise Breeding Center. Volunteer tasks will include; Feeding and caring for the tortoises, as well as maintaining their enclosure, Assisting the zookeepers and Working directly with the public to educate tourists by informing them of the rules and regulations designed to keep the tortoises safe and the habitats intact.
Volunteers will be involved in citizen science initiatives where you will join biologists on snorkel trips observing and monitoring endemic fish and shark species along the Cape Peninsula, and collecting data and taking Photo IDs of the small shy shark species. You will be given presentations on the various work involved; including biological talks such […]
Volunteer at an ethical wolf sanctuary. Learn about wolf conservation in Portugal whilst supporting the welfare of the endangered Iberian wolf.
Join a team of passionate individuals and get hands-on experience working in the treatment, care and release of sick, injured and orphaned native mammal species of British Columbia’s Southern and Lower Mainland. During your stay, you will participate in all sorts of tasks to help care for the sick/injured animals, residents, at the centre. You […]
Volunteer to protect endangered sea turtles in Greece while getting hands-on field research experience, meeting new people and exploring the Kefalonian coast.
s a volunteer on the nursing programme, you will be given extensive duties which include; Direct care of patients, Dressing of wounds, Hygiene, Administering medicine, Taking blood samples & cannulation. Aside from being able to give much more in-depth care, you will also be able to experience duties which fall into different departments. At the moment the hospital has the following specialists: Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, Anaesthetists, General Practitioners, Dentists, Paediatricians (planned).
The Shamwari Game Reserve Conservation Volunteer Programme offers a once in a lifetime chance to get behind the scenes and involved with the conservation efforts of the Game Reserve. Wildlife conservation volunteers take part in game monitoring, assisting at the Born Free big cat sanctuary, looking after orphaned animals at the wildlife rehabilitation centre and much more.
An authentic and worthwhile short-term experience for Families, this project is designed for families who may only have a limited time to travel in Ecuador and want to maximise their experience. Activities available are condensed into a 5-day package, however, if visitors want to extend or reduce their stay they are more than welcome to do so. Besides enjoying a family-friendly, peaceful atmosphere, visitors can taste our homemade food prepared with ingredients mostly from the farm, which families and volunteers help to grow and harvest.
Volunteer in the Dutch Caribbean on the stunning island of St. Eustatius, and join the St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation and help to protect and conserve their National and Marine Parks. You will have the opportunity to spend time doing various conservation volunteer projects across the parks, including trail maintenance, outreach events and the iguana breeding programme.
Join a team of dedicated scientists on our Dolphin Research Project in Namibia and enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to contribute to marine research in a beautiful and remote environment.
This project is an opportunity to volunteer or intern with wild elephant conservation and carnivore research in Sri Lanka. Volunteers and interns alike support the human-wildlife conflict mitigation efforts of the conservation project to secure the future protection of the elephant population, carnivore species and the livelihoods of local farmers.
Research volunteers will work on long term ecological projects, experiencing conservation-based research in several different biomes and habitat types including beach, estuary, river, fynbos (shrubland or heathland vegetation), forest and urban areas. This project will give you a range of experience, working with whales, dolphins, fish, aquatic macroinvertebrates, seals, marine birds, primates and more!
Volunteer in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and take part in a coral reef monitoring and marine conservation programme. Become the Human Activity Monitoring Intern and be responsible for all tracking and recording illegal fishing activity in the beautiful Blue Bay Marine Park, while also getting the chance to be involved in a variety of other projects on site. Interns can join the project for between 2 and 5 months throughout the year.
You will have the opportunity to be part of the workshops, prepare materials, make crafts, conduct and work with children of the schools during the workshops, and participate in the maintenance of our Butterfly garden, data collection, care of pupae, feed and release butterflies, as well as the opportunity to help us care for the plants. If you have at least basic Spanish for this programme, that would be very helpful.
Volunteer at an Elephant Sanctuary and home for old elephants in Mae Chaem, situated in the lush countryside of Northern Thailand. Help to give elephants a chance to live free.
Join this hands-on Volunteer Programme and help protect the environmental integrity of Nature’s Valley. Volunteers will gain experience in a wide range of skills whilst getting an insight into life as a conservationist in Africa. Become a conservation education volunteer and take part in a grassroots project that brings real change to communities and how they see the natural resources they use. This is an opportunity to engage local school children, project partners, conservation professionals and the local community.
Join a dynamic team of volunteers and local staff while giving back to the community in the Galapagos Islands. As a sea turtle nest monitoring volunteer, you will assist the Galapagos National Park staff by taking critically important nesting baseline data. This will include identifying species (hawksbill or green), determining nesting patterns and monitoring nest sizes.
An opportunity to volunteer with elephants at an Elephant Sanctuary in the forests of Mondulkiri, located in remote Eastern Cambodia.
An internship opportunity for environmental science students to work towards protecting and improving the water quality of the Lower Cape Fear River Basin in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA, through environmental education, advocacy and action.
Volunteer on the reforestation project in Cusco, Peru and be part of the efforts to bring the forests back to the Peruvian hillsides. To help achieve this goal volunteers will take part in tasks such as; collecting and planting wild plants in the area, research and revaluation of wild plants of the Cusco region, planting and maintenance of tree seeds, taking care of and cleaning the tree nursery, and tree planting in the mountains of the San Sebastián district. Participants will also choose whether to stay in a home-stay or in shared apartments, whilst they also have the opportunity to take Spanish lessons.
This programme is about tracking deserts elephants in the African wilderness and taking part in community development building work, whilst living in the outdoors, cooking over campfires and sleeping out under the stars at night time in the stunning Damaraland region of the Namib Desert.
Conservation volunteers work within a non-profit biological research and education centre, using camera traps to monitor the diverse array of mammal species in Playa Tortuga. Within the Reserve, there are more than 11 species of mammals – the most common being raccoons, coatis, kinkajous, weasels, River Otters, Tayra and Monkeys. Capuchin Monkeys are easy to find into the Reserve forest, others such as Anteaters, Oposums, and Sloths are also common in the area but hard to observe. There is also evidence of an Ocelot (detected by trail cameras) in the Balso River.
Volunteer in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and take part in a coral reef monitoring and marine conservation programme. Become the Lagoon Monitoring Project Coordinator/Assistant and be responsible for the lagoon monitoring program in the beautiful Blue Bay Marine Park. Interns can join the project all year round for 2 to 5 months.
Volunteer in either a children’s hospital or busy government-run hospital in Nepal and gain experience by shadowing qualified doctors for 2 to 16 weeks. Volunteers can choose which area of their hospital they would like to join with Oncology, Cardio, ICU, Radiology, Surgery, Physiotherapy and Neurology some of the options to choose from.
Internship positions available to assist with environmental education on the forest and urban interface between Reno, Nevada and the Sierra Nevada mountains, with special emphasis on the unique ecology of Galena Creek Park
Volunteer on a range of conservation projects and help to protect, preserve and restore New Zealand’s environment.
Volunteer in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and take part in a coral reef monitoring and marine conservation programme. Become the Coral Farming Intern and be responsible for all aspects of the coral farming program in the beautiful Blue Bay Marine Park, while also getting the chance to be involved in a variety of other projects on site. Interns can join the project for between 2 and 5 months throughout the year.
Volunteer with elephants at a sanctuary in Laos. Experience elephants in an ethical way in a beautiful forest setting, where elephants are able to live freely.
Volunteers can discover the unique flora and fauna of the Montgo Natural Park with more than 650 different plant species; the Marine Reserve of Cape San Antonio, corals, Posidonia oceanica meadows and a wide range of wildlife. It’s also a unique place to see whales and dolphins from springtime to autumn (if you are very lucky!). Coastal & marine conservation volunteers will also experience the Pego Wetland Natural Park, where volunteers will find a great diversity of birds and endemic vegetation in one of the most amazing places in Spain.
Join a marine and coral reef conservation project on Koh Phangan island in Thailand’s Samui archipelago.
As a volunteer with wildlife in India, you will have the opportunity to assist with the conservation and support of bears at the project’s ethical rescue centres. Typical duties at the bear sanctuary include building hammocks for Sloth Bears to rest in, constructing enrichment structures for play and assisting keepers on daily afternoon feedings.
Volunteers will learn local techniques for sustainable tropical agriculture and will help to create food sovereignty, lower the carbon footprint of island life, lower waste from shipping materials, lowers cost to local consumers, increase local income, and increase the nutritional content of the food available in Isabela, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Take part in tracking African wild dogs, monitoring lions, leopards, elephants and other important species in a beautiful 20,000 hectare game reserve in Botswana.
While on patrol, the Forest Rangers collect a wealth of research data. This helps keep track of wildlife populations and biodiversity. They also identify areas where impact to the forest may be likely to happen in the future. The Forest Ranger team also contributes to the long-term collection of core data sets. This is for both Neotropical mammals and for big trees. The rangers are also responsible for maintaining an extensive trail network and boundary lines. As well as all boundary signage and flagging. They also support relations with our neighbouring communities and forest concessionaires.
Become a marine conservation volunteer and participate in dolphin research in the Ionian Sea, helping to provide a marine environment that provides long term viability for dolphin species.
The Bottlenose Dolphin Volunteer Project is a long-term study on the ecology and conservation of bottlenose dolphins in the area surrounding Cres and Lošinj islands, in Croatia.
Volunteer in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and take part in a coral reef monitoring and marine conservation programme. Become the Turtle Monitoring Intern and be responsible for all aspects of the Turtle Monitoring program in the beautiful Blue Bay Marine Park, while also getting the chance to be involved in a variety of other projects on site. Interns can join the project for between 2 and 5 months throughout the year.
Our 2 week Field Research Crash Course will help you gain introductory practical training in field research, with an emphasis on building skills in observational data collection on wild and rehabilitated local species. This course is most suitable for students at an early undergraduate level who have a keen interest, but little experience, in field biology and conservation, and those who wish to gain a rich knowledge about Costa Rica’s wildlife and conservation efforts.
Help to protect and rehabilitate endangered sea turtle populations, conserve and repair local coral reefs, conduct marine life surveys & support community awareness programmes. Volunteer with Sea Turtles and work on the projects that conserve these wonderful creatures.
Join this Olive Ridley sea turtle volunteer programme in the spectacular Southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica on Drake Bay, home to over 25 dolphin and whale species and the Olive Ridley Turtle.
Volunteer with dolphin, seal and whale research in South Africa. Take part in marine conservation, penguin rescue and educational projects along the South African coast.
Volunteers will stay at the wildlife sanctuary and spend their time here with the on-site horses. Mornings will be spent helping with cleaning and feeding, training young and new horses, as well as taming and raising foals. Training will involve the use of Natural Horsemanship and Parelli tactics. These training strategies involve playful work from the ground as well as longer training rides in the bush with the more experienced horses.
Help to conserve and protect the populations of vulnerable Olive Ridleys. The project takes place in the spectacular Pacific coast of the Nicoya Province on the beach where Olive Ridley turtles come up in thousands at a time for this phenomenon of nature called "arribadas".
Volunteer in Cambodia at a bear sanctuary inside a large wildlife rescue centre near Phnom Penh.
This Wildlife Rescue centre rescues injured and abandoned animals with the aim of returning them to the wild as soon as they are fit and able. For those who can no longer fend for themselves in the wild, we make them as comfortable as possible and hope that their presence will help to educate others of the dangers these precious animals face and what we can do to live more harmoniously with them in nature. Conservation interns are expected to help the Rescue Centre educate the public on our goals towards the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction of wildlife as well as the issues we face.
Volunteer at the Jane Goodall chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa. A chance to experience these amazing endangered species up close and contribute to chimp rescue and conservation efforts.
Join a marine conservation internship in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Help to protect this amazing natural wonder and develop your conservation and research skills alongside experienced marine biologists.
Volunteers are needed to help with ecological restoration and reforestation in the region of Úlfljótsvatn lake in the southwest of Iceland.
Volunteer at the dog shelter in Cusco, Peru and be part of the effort to save, rehabilitate and rehome as many local stray dogs as possible. The project has already helped rescue and rehome over 3000 dogs but needs volunteers to continue helping as many strays as possible. Volunteers can join the project for 2 weeks up to 6 months and have the option of staying with a home-stay family or in shared apartments. Volunteers can look forward to tasks such as; improving the shelter itself, going out on the streets to rescue sick/pregnant street dogs, going to the veterinarian and even assisting in medical campaigns in the communities around Cusco and helping to educate people about how to treat their pets
An opportunity to volunteer all across National Parks and Nature Reserves throughout California, whilst gaining experience in ecological restoration and conservation work.
Volunteer in the Seychelles and be part of important Conservation efforts on Cousin Island
Conservation volunteers work within a non-profit biological research and education centre, helping to protect a number of different sea turtle species on the Playa Tortuga reserve. There are 4 potential species of sea turtles which can be seen nesting at different times of the year; Olive Ridley/ ‘Lora’ (Lepidochelys olivacea), Green (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata). They are all in danger of extinction.
Volunteer in Portugal and support Dolphin & Whale Conservation and Research whilst exploring the Algarve coastline.
The Medical Placement Programme is an opportunity for young medical students to join the staff of a small hospital, where they are able to shadow the hospital’s medical staff in the everyday treatment of the island’s patients. The hospital is situated on Naifaru Island which has a population of over 5000 people. Aside from giving volunteers the opportunity to explore a range of medical issues, as a medical volunteer, you will also be given the opportunity to go on house calls which is a great way to experience the local culture.
Volunteer in the Dutch Caribbean on the stunning island of St. Eustatius, and join the St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation and help to protect and conserve their National and Marine Parks. You will have the opportunity to spend time doing various conservation volunteer projects across the parks including those which help protect local sea turtle populations.
As an ecotourism volunteer in the communications department at the Galapagos National Park you will gather information that will help the national park staff make important ecotourism decisions. This will include running satisfaction questionnaires at visitor sites, generating statistical data and creating databases based on the surveys you administer.
Sustainability is one of the highest priorities on this project. Previous volunteers have helped create a recycling system, a compost pit and a pilot project for composting toilets. Maintenance of these systems is essential. They must function properly. Thus, volunteers are asked to help in maintaining and harvesting the compost. In addition, volunteers get to use their own background to suggest new systems that the project may not be aware of. Permaculture volunteers also assist in the medicinal and vegetable gardens. As well as on reforestation projects. Be prepared to get your hands dirty!
Volunteer to work to preserve the native forest and birds on the Kauri Coast, New Zealand and get to explore an undiscovered forest while learning about conservation and wilderness skills.
An opportunity to take part in sea turtle conservation involving research and monitoring, working at a turtle rehabilitation centre and protecting nesting sites along the Watamu Coastline.
Volunteer in the Caribbean as a Research Assistant and take part in leatherback sea turtle monitoring, research, and community outreach programmes on the island of Grenada.
Volunteer in Cuba to help with important Coral Reef Conservation and Restoration efforts on the Isle of Youth
The Carnivore Conservation Project in the Kanaan Desert aims to establish an unfenced wildlife reserve, creating a refuge for endangered species. The area covers 33,000 hectares of stunning desert scenery. During your stay, you will get hands-on experience with a variety of skills such as mapping using a GPS, capture mark release (using GPS tracking collars), radio telemetry tracking, game counts, camera trapping and maintenance and security.
Volunteer at an ethical big cat Sanctuary in South Africa. Contribute towards animal welfare whilst learning about the conditions big cats face in captivity and helping to raise awareness of wildlife conservation in South Africa.
Work on the Playa Tortuga reserve, Costa Rica, where the main objective of this study is to collect real information about the Crocodilians at the Reserve area: their distribution, relationship with the environment and the human impact on the ecosystem. Do an initial profile of the population, in order to help the conservation and management of this species adding new information about its condition in the South Pacific of Costa Rica.
This Wildlife Rescue centre rescues injured and abandoned animals with the aim of returning them to the wild as soon as they are fit and able. Wildlife Biology Interns are expected to help the Rescue Centre with data collection and analysis to better care for current and future patients.
Become a Caribbean Reef Buddy volunteer and join us on the beautiful island of Carriacou near Grenada. Learn to dive in the warm, crystal clear waters of the Caribbean and play a full and active part in exciting marine conservation projects.
