What to Know as a Wildlife Orphanage Volunteer

Wildlife lovers can find their dream volunteer opportunity at a wildlife orphanage! Synonymous with wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife orphanages take in animals that have been injured, rescued from illegal trafficking, or abandoned in nature and have no real chance of surviving in the wild. These animals are then given the opportunity to live out their lives in the best way possible at the orphanage.

Some orphanages double as rehabilitation centers, which rehabilitate injured animals and release them into the wild whenever possible. It is important to note, however, that releases are not always possible, and that living in wildlife orphanages is often their only chance of survival.

If you’re looking to make a difference in the lives of animals who have been injured, abandoned, and rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, continue reading to discover more about volunteering at a wildlife orphanage!

Things to know about being a volunteer in a wildlife orphanage

1. Some locations have greater need than others

Some of the world’s fiercest and most fascinating wildlife species are native to Africa. Unfortunately, trophy hunting was (and in some cases still is) popular throughout the continent, and this has led to many wildlife babies being left without a family to care for them, which is how many end up in wildlife orphanages.

This has led to the widespread creation of wildlife orphanages and sanctuaries across the countries of Africa, and particularly in South Africa and Zimbabwe. While there are wildlife sanctuaries worldwide, Africa is home to no shortage of wildlife orphanages who are in need of helping hands.

2. Tasks are mostly hands-off

While tasks may vary slightly between orphanages, there are common wildlife care tasks that are the general standard for volunteers. The four most common daily tasks include food preparation, enrichment activity creation, general maintenance around the sanctuary, and the cleaning and maintenance of enclosures.

Food preparation may include cutting fruits, vegetables, and meat. Enrichment activity tasks include the creation of toys and such — anything that can enrich the lives of the resident animals. While cleaning enclosures may not seem like a fun task, animals appreciate a clean living space just as we humans do.

It is important to remember that volunteers are working for the animals, not with them. Volunteers should never expect to be able to work hands-on with animals. There are, however, cases in which hands-on care is needed at wildlife orphanages, and this is usually limited to baby animals who need bottle feeding.

3. The price range varies

As with all volunteering opportunities abroad, prices vary depending on location, funding, duration of your time there, and the included amenities (accommodation and meals). Smaller wildlife orphanages that are not receiving funding from the government are likely to rely more heavily on donations, and financial support of volunteers, making them more pricey than larger orphanages that receive assistance from the local government.

It is oftentimes these smaller, family-owned orphanages, however, that are in the most need of volunteers, both for their helping hands as well as their financial support. You can expect to pay around $1000 USD for a two-week program, although some may be around $1500-$2000 USD for two weeks. These fees will generally include both accommodations and meals.

4. The ethics of wildlife orphanages

Ethical wildlife orphanages take in animals and only keep them on-site if they have no chance of survival in the wild. To check if a wildlife orphanage follows this ethical guideline, you can always ask for the backstory of the resident animals.

Ethical programs will be very up front with you, and have no issue explaining to you how they acquired the animals, and why the animals need to live under their constant care. Be wary of any program that does not willingly share this information with you.

It is important, however, not to make assumptions. In certain cases, such as with monkeys, releases can be delayed. These, and other species, live in groups and need to be released with a group in order to secure their best chances of survival in the wild. 

5. There is no typical day

Daily schedules will vary by placement, but animals do need care each and every day. Some orphanages may give volunteers weekends off, but some may require morning feedings even on weekends.

You can expect, however, to prepare food for the animals once or twice per day, since most animals eat twice a day. Creating enrichment activities, cleaning enclosures, and maintaining the sanctuary itself may be spread throughout your time at the program, and may not be necessary tasks to complete each day.

6. Species vary by sanctuary

You may be wondering which animal species you should expect to be caring for. This varies by sanctuary, as well as when you take your trip, as orphanages rescue and take in animals as often as they are capable.

As mentioned regarding location, there are orphanages across Africa, which take in various African animals. A wildlife orphanage may at any time be providing care for small, orphaned animals such as vervet monkeys, or large cats such as lions. If you have an interest in caring for a specific animal, check with the orphanages you are considering to see which animals are in their care.

Some wildlife orphanages only care for a specific species; this is common with elephants. Many wildlife orphanages, however, are capable of caring for a variety of species, even though they may all have different needs, in addition to each injured animal having its own specific needs.

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4 great programs to volunteer in a wildlife orphanage

Here is a short list of popular wildlife orphanage volunteering opportunities!

1. GoEco — Zimbabwe - African Wildlife Orphanage

Volunteer at one of the largest and most successful wildlife rehabilitation/release centers in Africa! This family-owned orphanage has been featured in countless documentaries and is now world-renowned for its pioneering work.

In addition to rehabilitating and releasing injured animals when possible, this orphanage is home to many animals that were injured, brought in after being kept illegally as pets, etc. This program has helped animals such as hyenas, tortoises, crocodiles, and lions!

The Zimbabwe program also goes one step further, and its volunteers teach local school children each week about different Zimbabwe wildlife species and why wildlife conservation is so important.

2. Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers — Australian Wildlife Rescue, Care and Rehabilitation 

Volunteer in Australia at a wildlife orphanage committed to the rescue, care, rehabilitation, and release of Australian wildlife. Daily tasks include the standard preparing of the animals’ food, as well as cleaning enclosures. Other tasks may include scrubbing turtles’ shells and bottle feeding rescued baby animals.

3. Conservation Travel Africa — Primate Conservation, Zimbabwe

Gain hands-on wildlife experience and care for a variety of orphaned primates. Baboons and monkeys are the often-overlooked victims of the human-wildlife conflict, losing their natural habitat to overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and the growth in human settlements. Each day, volunteers will participate in standard tasks such as preparing food and creating enrichment activities for the unreleasable orphaned primates.

4. GoEco — Thailand - Elephant Forest Refuge

Join GoEco at an elephant refuge that is made of 40 acres of bamboo forests, grassland, and swamp. This orphanage takes in individual elephants that have been retired from abusive situations — oftentimes, elephants that were used in the logging industry.

This refuge provides them with a natural home setting, so they can roam freely. These elephants lived a life where they were isolated and not cared for, but now they have found a second chance to be able to enjoy life. Join GoEco at this program to grow fruits and prepare food for the elephants that for so long had missed out on being cared for.

Wildlife animal orphanages need your help!

If your dream is to travel, care for injured and abandoned animals, and soak in the African sun, it’s time to get started on your search for the perfect wildlife orphanage volunteering opportunity! Wildlife orphanages across Africa work tirelessly each and every day of the year to care for a variety of animals who would not survive in the wild.

Each and every one of these animals needs to be fed and cared for so they can live their best life in the orphanage haven. You may find yourself cutting horse meat to feed to an epileptic lion, or bottle feeding orphaned vervet monkeys.

Do your research to ensure that you are signing up to assist an orphanage that is ethical. In addition to this, if you are interested in spreading awareness for wildlife conservation, try to find a program that also has an educational and community involvement component.

Do keep in mind that cleaning enclosures and maintaining grounds are often a part of the deal with these programs. Last but not least, enjoy easily browsing listings throughout GoAbroad to find your perfect wildlife orphanage volunteering opportunity! → 

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This article was written with help from GoEco, who has been named a Top Volunteer Abroad Organization of 2018 by GoAbroad, a Best Sustainable Tour Operator finalist by the Global Youth Travel Awards, and one of GoEco’s programs in Belize was named a finalist for Most Innovative New Volunteer Program of 2018 by GoAbroad.