While animal welfare is an area of concern all around the world, there are some countries where massive declines in wild animal populations are overwhelming and have led to a greater need for altruistic gappers like you to lend a helping hand.

Thailand. So you know that riding elephants in Thailand is problematic and you want to hang with your favorite gentle giants in an ethical, sustainable way. Rather than contribute to the mistreatment of elephants on behalf of the tourism industry, you want to get your pad Thai fix and then help rehabilitate elephants being rescued from a life of cruel treatment and inappropriate selfies. And, if you’re looking to do a gap year abroad with animals beyond elephants, there are plenty of gap year programs where you can work with monkeys, sun bears, and all sorts of cute critters on land or by sea.

South Africa. Help protect the king of the jungle and all of his friends spending a gap year on game reserves in South Africa. If you want to work with these animals in South Africa, extensive training and some prior experience working with animals—especially if you’re working with big cats—is going to be necessary. They’re not just going to throw you into the lion’s den! Less interested in life on land? With miles of gorgeous coastline, there are tons of opportunities for you to gear up and dive right into marine conservation gap year projects abroad.

Costa Rica. There are a ton of gap year programs abroad with animals to take advantage of in Costa Rica. In between surf sessions, jungle exploration, and volcano hikes, you can work with a variety of different projects. Work to save endangered sea turtles and to safeguard hatcheries and ensure the world’s remaining sea turtles make it to the ocean for their own lifetime of adventures. Or, you can look to the jungle for a gap year with animals abroad in Costa Rica. The sloth may move slow, but deforestation and the destruction of their habitat does not. With a lot of entry-level fieldwork for you to lend a hand to, the birds will be sure to sing your praises.