Description

Wildlife conservation in Cambodia is in its infancy, but an increasing human population and demands of a growing economy threaten the country's natural resources. The resulting environmental problems thus need to be tackled. Cambodia's majestic rivers, wetlands and jungle landscapes are a last stronghold for endangered wildlife. While the number of national parks and protected areas is slowly growing, illegal logging and poaching is rife and management plans need to be developed urgently.

Many of Cambodia's remaining forests are remote and mostly unexplored, large, relatively intact, and often have linking corridors. This makes the potential for conservation of native fauna, particularly wide-ranging species like the Asian elephant, tiger, hornbills, vulture and wild cattle, that much more achievable. The Cambodian government is reliant on organizations such as Frontier and its volunteers to help explore and discover the most threatened areas and to assist in the design of conservation programs.

* What will I be doing?

At the requests of the Ministry of Environment, you will be working on a Biodiversity Survey & Training Project in a community forest in the provinces of Siem Reap, Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey. The project will be implemented by the Frontier-Cambodia Tropical Forest Research Program, a collaboration between the Society for Environmental Exploration (UK) and the Department for Nature Conservation and Protection, Ministry of Environment (Royal Kingdom of Cambodia).

You will discover a wealth of species, some of which may be new to science or extinct elsewhere. Trekking into unexplored forests and jungles, you will survey endangered mammals and other fauna, searching for the tracks and signs of the elusive Fishing Cat and Hairy Nosed Otter, and discovering a wealth of other wildlife.

Through immersion in local cultures and activities with local villages, you will assess how reliant local communities are on the forest resources. You will discover the rich cultural heritage of the Angkor empire with its blend of Buddhist and Hindu spiritualism epitomized by extraordinary and unmatched temple complexes and exquisite sculptures.

You'll find your team to be a fun, energetic and enthusiastic group of young people who all share a passion about traveling in developing countries, exploring different cultures and protecting endangered wildlife. Your staff will be young, friendly individuals who are highly experienced in their field and many have also volunteered on Frontier projects earlier in their career. They will be with you in the field at all times.

If this is your first time doing conservation in the field, don't worry! It will only take a short while for you to feel totally at home on camp and confident with methods and techniques used in the science program. Although the work is intense and challenging you'll find that living in such a beautiful and inaccessible environment alongside friends who share your passion for conservation will compensate for any hardships and will provide you with a rewarding adventure, a wealth of memories and an experience of a lifetime!

Highlights

Cambodia's threatened tropical forests harbour many of the world's most endangered species, including the Asian Elephant, Tiger, Sun Bear, Dhole and Gibbon and Frontier volunteers are pioneering exploration of some of these uncharted tropical forests. On the Frontier-Cambodia Tropical Forest Project you will trek through dense tropical jungles searching for signs of elusive and enigmatic wildlife and discover more about their fascinating ecology and pristine habitats.

You'll live and work with other enthusiastic and energetic volunteers in a remote rainforest camp, in a community forest that is both wild and beautiful, where you'll carry out crucial surveys that will be used to protect endangered species and threatened habitats. This is a little-explored area and there is great potential for many new species to be discovered. You'll also help local Khmer communities engage in the conservation process.

Cambodia, the sacred kingdom, is a country truly in touch with its ancient roots. This is the home of the once mighty Angkor empire, which ruled over a vast area of land from its centre in Angkor Wat. One glance at the region's spectacular environment and you'll see why they chose Cambodia for their base. Terraced rice paddies ring gently rolling hills, lush tropical forests are alive with the calls of hornbills and gibbons, and mile upon mile of fabulous untouched beaches skirt the coast. Cambodia is a serene, welcoming land and immediately you'll feel at home in this remarkable country.

* Make lifelong friendships.
* Become an intrepid explorer in this wondrous corner of the world.
* Discover a wealth of exotic & rare wildlife!

Qualifications

Project Requirements: This project requires a high level of fitness and stamina, conditions can be arduous and trekking strenuous.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Prices from GBP 1095.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Environment
• Wildlife Surveying

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Frontier's Mission Statement

To conserve the world's most endangered wildlife and threatened habitats and to build sustainable livelihoods for marginalized and under resourced communities in the world's poorest countries. To create solutions that are apolitical, forward-thinking, community-driven, and innovative and which take into consideration the long-term needs of low income communities.

Year Founded

1989