Project summary

Help out with the amazing work that our bear rescue is undertaking, caring for over 100 rescued bears.

A typical day

So what will you be doing every day? Your work will include:

• feeding the bears
• enrichment of their environment
• cleaning the enclosures
• repair and maintenance of the enclosures and indoor holding pens
• maintenance of the surrounding areas.

On your first day you will receive an induction including how the centre works, information on the different types of bears and a full tour of the centre. You will be trained and supervised by the experienced animal keepers at the centre.

You will work closely with the keepers giving out the twice daily feeds and cleaning the enclosures. Other tasks do not directly involve the bears but benefit them greatly, such as developing new 'enrichments'. Enrichment is anything that makes the bears lives more interesting such as filling up hollow bamboo with honey or other treats, making frozen fruit ice lollies, rebuilding climbing frames, putting out dead trees etc.

Direct physical contact with the bears is not possible as these are large and wild animals, and potentially dangerous.

Volunteers work a five-day working week from 8am to 4pm.

The location

The centre is located about 1 hour's drive from Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Phnom Penh is very easy to reach from Thailand, approximately 1 hour's flight from Bangkok.

How you can make a difference

By volunteering at the centre you will make a major contribution to the welfare of bears in Asia. Your time and efforts will help to care for the bears, and the majority of the programme cost will go direct to the centre providing a critical source of funding for their future work.

On a personal level you will have a unique opportunity to work alongside some incredible animals and gain the satisfaction of helping to make a difference to the lives of these animals.

What's included

• A comprehensive information booklet
• Travel advice and assistance
• Pick up from Phnom Penh airport on arrival
• Accommodation - shared twin room at the centre's volunteer house
• Transport to and from the sanctuary from Monday-Friday
• Breakfast every day (volunteers buy their own lunch)
• Dinner from Monday to Saturday (traditional Cambodian food)
  
• Induction and training
• Support from the team, with a British director.

What else to budget for

The following estimates are given as a guide for your budgeting: flights (£500-£650), travel insurance, visa ($20-25 US Dollars), general living costs (£60 per week).

Other projects you might also be interested in....

* Wildlife Rescue in Thailand

* Elephant Care in Thailand

* Belize Zoo in Belize

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More details

Background information about the project

The centre is very large and houses many species. Volunteers will be working with the bears and there are currently over 100 bears, a mix of Sun Bears and Black Bears. It is home to bears that have been rescued from a range of different situations including poachers, the black market and businesses using them for entertainment.

The bear sanctuary covers an area of approximately 5-6 hectares, and contains large rocky outcrops, native vegetation, climbing frames, bathing pools and night dens.

Volunteer accommodation and food

Volunteers live in a 5 bedroom house on the outskirts of Samranjouen village, roughly 10km away from the sanctuary. Rooms are shared between two (same sex) volunteers and a cleaner/cook is employed to look after the house. There is also satellite internet in the house which volunteers can use.

Volunteers have a self-serve breakfast and dinner is provided 6 days a week by a local cook.

Freetime and travel opportunities

In your freetime you can relax at the volunteer house which is very comfortable and has a nice lounging area and balcony.  It is also equipped with games and DVDs for evening entertainment! 

You can easily walk to the local village, which has a market and there are a few restaurants serving local food, as well as a karaoke bar/restaurant for night-time drinks, food and entertainment (!). 

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is about an hour away and a great place to visit at weekends. It is an exciting city, growing fast and becoming more geared up to tourism. There is lots to do and there are many bars and restaurants catering to different tastes. 

It's very easy for anyone wishing to travel into Phnom Penh using local buses, and the project vehicle will also go into town each week if people wish to go and get supplies.

Cambodia itself is a beautiful country with breath taking scenery and warm, friendly, welcoming people. There are many places of interest including the world heritage site of Angkor Wat.

Challenges

No previous experience is required, you just need to be willing and enthusiastic, physically fit, and have a strong interest in conservation and wildlife.  You will need to be able to tolerate high temperatures and humidity, work well within a team and be adaptable to living and working in a group.

Where does your money go

PoD is run as a non-profit organisation and does not receive any external funding. We charge a fee for all our placements to cover the overseas costs of volunteering and the costs of running our organisation in the UK. 

For this project approximately 60% of the fee you pay is passed to directly to the bear centre.

Volunteer reviews

Click here to read volunteer reviews for our Cambodia bear rescue volunteer project.