Description
Location: Sepilok, Malaysia
Duration: Minimum 5 weeks, maximum 6 months commitment
Start Dates: Project is on-going, and you can join at any time, depending upon availability. Placements start each Monday
Cost: €750 Euros per week – see Costs tab for further details
Includes: all food, accommodation, airport pickup, orientation and all project related activities
Does not Include: flights, travel insurance, visas and vaccinations
Introduction
Embark on an incredible journey to the breathtaking landscapes of Sepilok, Malaysia, where an extraordinary opportunity awaits you—the Orangutan program.
This remarkable wildlife conservation project is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the magnificent orangutan species and their precious habitat. By actively engaging in various conservation activities and initiatives, you will play a vital role in safeguarding, caring for, and ultimately saving these incredible creatures.
Imagine immersing yourself in this perfect blend of travel, purpose, and personal growth. Not only will you embark on a unique adventure, but you will also make a tangible difference in the world. This experience will not only enhance your career prospects but also grant you unparalleled insights into the local culture, traditions, and way of life. Collaborating with individuals from diverse nationalities will broaden your perspectives and foster lifelong connections.
Join us in this noble mission of wildlife conservation, where your presence and contribution will be an invaluable asset in protecting orangutans and their natural habitats. Together, we can create a brighter future for these magnificent creatures and leave a lasting impact on the world of wildlife conservation.
Daily Life
At the center, your role as a participant will involve engaging in two distinct areas: Indoor and Outdoor. Let’s explore the responsibilities within each work area:
The Indoor Nursery:
In this nurturing space, you will care for infants ranging from a few months to approximately four years old. Duties may include:
– Safely transferring infant orangutans between sleeping and playing cages.
– Ensuring cleanliness and tidiness in the sleeping area.
– Preparing nourishing meals for the infants, such as peeling bananas and preparing formula milk.
– Bottle-feeding the babies with formula drink.
– Distributing bananas to the young orangutans.
– Providing special attention and care for any sick infants.
– Safely returning orangutans to their sleeping cages.
– Maintaining cleanliness in the indoor nursery area.
Please note that while there may be opportunities for hands-on work with the orangutans, a strict policy of minimal human contact is implemented to preserve their natural behaviors and minimize humanization. This approach supports their rehabilitation process.
The Outdoor Nursery:
This vibrant area is home to juvenile orangutans, typically aged between five and eight years old. They are fed both at the nursery and on the tourist platform. To encourage their natural foraging instincts, their food is distributed across various platforms. Your potential duties may include:
– Collecting bananas from the storeroom and transporting them to the nursery using a wheelbarrow.
– Sweeping leaves from the surrounding paths and maintaining cleanliness in the nursery area.
– Feeding the orangutans at the outdoor nursery.
– Assisting the rangers by carrying bananas to the tourist platform (twice daily).
– Recording observations of orangutans’ behavior on the feeding platform.
During your time in the Outdoor Nursery, you will have ample opportunities to observe the orangutans in their natural surroundings.
Travel & Accommodation
Upon arrival you will be met at the airport by a project representative and taken to the project HQ.
You will be accommodated close to the project in twin or triple sharing arrangements. All meals are provided at the accommodation, and a dedicated local coordinator will be available throughout the program.
Requirements
- A genuine interest in wildlife and Orangutan conservation.
- Age between 18 and 50, without any immobility constraints.
- Proficiency in English, regardless of nationality.
- Submission of your CV and travel history.
- Full vaccination against COVID-19.
- Vaccinations against TB, Hepatitis, Tetanus, and Rabies.
- Minimum 5 weeks commitment – 30+ hours a week
- Necessary vaccinations, flight & visas.
- Full travel & medical insurance. Please see our info pages for more information and to get a quote.
Costs
€750 Euros per week, minimum 5 weeks commitment.
(€3,750 for minimum 5 week stay)
* Check the latest currency conversions with xe.com
** All payments incur a 5% bank transfer fee
*** Placements are confirmed with a 1 week deposit
What’s Included:
Project Fee includes food, accommodation, airport pickup, orientation, in-country support and project activities.
Private rooms are available for an additional €100 per week.
What’s not included:
Flights, insurance, visas (if applicable) and vaccinations. Full assistance will be provided in getting all these arranged if you choose our Premium Support.
Premium Support Upgrade
We understand there’s a great deal to plan and organise for your trip. When booking a Placement, many of our participants choose to purchase our Premium Support Upgrade to benefit from the expertise, knowledge and experience of our Project Coordinators.
We can provide the personal advice you need to ensure your trip is organised with excellence and planned with efficiency; ensuring the very best experience possible. Read more about how we can help you.
Note: Map coordinates are approximate
