Description

Help to care for over 90 rescued bears at a bear sanctuary near Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

* About the Sanctuary and the Bears

The center is very large and houses many species. Volunteers will be working with the bears and there are currently over 90 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.

The center is located about 1 hour's drive from Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is very easy to reach from Thailand, approximately 1 hour's flight from Bangkok.

* A Typical Week

So what will you be doing every week? 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 center works, information on the different types of bears and a full tour of the center. You will be trained and supervised by the experienced animal keepers at the center.

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 'enrichment'. 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.

Highlights

Lifestyle:

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 and prepare dinner. There is also satellite internet in the house which volunteers can use.

There are a few restaurants serving local food in the village, plus 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 breathtaking scenery and warm, friendly, welcoming people. There are many places of interest including the world heritage site of Angkor Wat.

Qualifications

No previous experience is required, you just need to be willing and enthusiastic, physically fit, and have a strong interest in conservation and wildlife.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1 week: GBP 399, extra weeks: GBP 199

Program Fees Include:

* A comprehensive information booklet
* Travel advice and assistance
* Pick up from Phnom Penh airport on arrival
* Accommodation - shared twin room at the center'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.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

21 and above

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Normally 1-4

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Personal Overseas Development (PoD)'s Mission Statement

PoD is a leading non-profit organization arranging ethical, inspiring and supported volunteering opportunities around the world. Established in 2001, our aim is to support ongoing projects with our partners in Belize, Cambodia, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam by providing passionate and committed volunteers. We work with long term projects that we know personally and where there is genuine benefit to local communities. A placement with PoD will not only develop volunteer's skills and confidence, get them out of their comfort zone and exploring incredible parts of the world but also the ability make a genuine difference. We currently offer gap year, career break, working holiday, volunteer projects and school expeditions from 1 week to 6 months with year round departures. We offer a personal and professional service drawing on years of experience from staff in the UK and overseas. Volunteers are needed to help work with disadvantaged children, communities, animals and conservation projects including: caring for elephants and wild animals; joining an Amazon jungle conservation project; scuba diving and marine conservation; community building projects; volunteering at orphanages and care homes; teaching English and running summer English camps. PoD believes in providing challenging, safe and fun experiences for individuals and groups to enjoy. We are passionate about giving volunteers of all ages the opportunity to use their energy, enthusiasm and personality where it counts.

Year Founded

2001