Thai Resident Bear Care

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Enjoy up close and personal time with Thailand's wildlife
  • Stay in the shelter with lovely animals
  • Help bears with best possible care

Highlights

  • Enjoy up close and personal time with Thailand's wildlife
  • Stay in the shelter with lovely animals
  • Help bears with best possible care
  • Make memories you can't get anywhere else in the world
  • Make lifelong friendships


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    The centre rescues bears who have been maltreated and/or neglected and provides a sanctuary with the best possible care.

    The Project

    The bears receive medical treatment and are nursed back to health so that they can live out their lives with many other bears in large enclosures. Many bears are sick and disabled and will require permanent care for the remainder of their lives. There are sun bears and Asiatic black bears ...

    About the program

    The Project

    The bears receive medical treatment and are nursed back to health so that they can live out their lives with many other bears in large enclosures. Many bears are sick and disabled and will require permanent care for the remainder of their lives. There are sun bears and Asiatic black bears at the centre.

    The centre campaigns against the illegal wildlife trade of bears for the pet industry, the bile industry and discourage the use of bears for entertainment, for example in live animal shows.

    The centre aims to educate Thai people, particularly children, to end cruelty to animals. This is achieved through education programs held in schools and at the centre.

    By educating local people, tourists and the international community to appreciate, understand and protect wild animals and their rainforest habitat, the centre hopes to promote the conservation of all natural resources, fauna and flora alike.

    ***This project starts and ends on a SUNDAY so please apply from a Sunday to Sunday***

    The Location

    The centre is based on temple grounds near Tha Yang, a district in the Southern part of Phetchaburi province in central Thailand, about 160 kms/100 miles South of Bangkok.

    Phetchaburi province is famous throughout Thailand for its Thai desserts - Khanom Thai - delicious candy-like finger food made from egg, palm sugar, coconut, and a binding agent, usually crushed beans or flour.

    The centre also lies approximately 25km from the beaches of Cha Am and Hua Hin, both popular holiday destinations for locals and tourists. While Cha-Am successfully caters for foreign tourists, it remains favoured by the Thai people with a large majority of Thai tourists visiting this beach destination. So if you are looking for the real Thailand, for an authentic experience, this is it!

    Your Contribution

    You will be responsible for feeding and watering the bears, cleaning enclosures, providing enrichment, planting trees, assisting with tours for visitors, the construction and maintenance work of cages and enclosures and keeping the centre's grounds clean.

    You will make a positive difference to the lives of the bears at the centre by caring for and enriching their lives

    Special projects for long-term volunteers include the care of baby primates, working with animals in the quarantine area and animal rescues.

    Conditions Onsite

    It can be very emotional work treating and caring for sick and abused animals so you should try to be prepared for this. Be rest assured that you are amongst like-minded people who are experiencing the same feelings and emotions as you and will be there to support you. The work at the centre is both demanding and physical, especially in the hot months.

    There is no maximum age, however, you will need to be able to stand for long periods of time, work in humidity or wet conditions, travel to and from the project and perform basic manual labour tasks. 

    Thailand has rich, biological diversity. However, sadly increasingly, human pressures such as overexploitation, habitat loss and habitat degradation, are pushing many of Thailand creatures to the brink of extinction. In Thailand, as in every country in the world, animals are abused and exploited for profit and human gratification. There are many examples of animal exploitation for the tourist industry, such as animals performing in degrading shows and elephant riding camps. There is also a thriving illegal trade in wild animals for pets.  O2E ask that volunteers do not engage in activities that involve animal exploitation.  

    Please Note

    The second instalment of your project fees is due within 1 week after you paid the deposit on Volunteer World. This is a total of $495 AUD and comes off your balance. The balance is due 90 days prior to travel. For all further information about the fees, please scroll down to the section "Program Fees“.



    Typical day

    You will be involved in the daily routine of caring for the resident wildlife at the centre.

    The bears are fed several times a day, therefore, food preparation and feeding plays a large part in caring for each animal.

    Each day you will provide entertainment by preparing food games and enrichment for ...

    Typical day

    You will be involved in the daily routine of caring for the resident wildlife at the centre.

    The bears are fed several times a day, therefore, food preparation and feeding plays a large part in caring for each animal.

    Each day you will provide entertainment by preparing food games and enrichment for the animals. Enclosures require cleaning and the collection and cleaning of food bowls is required.

    Rotational tasks include keeping the volunteer house tidy, sweeping paths, kitchen duties and feeding, washing and grooming the resident dogs

    Although you will work very closely with the bears, there is a strict ‘hands-off’ policy for most of the animals.

    You will work 6 days a week from 6.30 am to 5.30 pm.


    Free-time activities

    After work you can relax at the centre and socialise with other volunteers. There is a variety of local activities available which are scheduled on a weekly basis. These include night market visits, dinner outings, trips to Cha Am and National Park wild elephant spotting. 

    On days off, you may ...

    Free-time activities

    After work you can relax at the centre and socialise with other volunteers. There is a variety of local activities available which are scheduled on a weekly basis. These include night market visits, dinner outings, trips to Cha Am and National Park wild elephant spotting. 

    On days off, you may choose to spend the day or an overnight stay in Cha Am or Hua Hin relaxing on the beach, shopping, tasting the local cuisine or getting pampered. There is a weekly night market in Cha-am which sells lots of cheap clothes and souvenirs. 

    Spend the day at Phetchaburi, the capital city of Phetchaburi Province and one of the oldest settlements in Thailand. Mentioned in historical records dating to the 8th century, and having significant standing artifacts dating to the 12th century, there are numerous temples in and around the city center and market area, in addition to the Royal Palace known informally as Khao Wang that dominates the skyline. The city is situated on the River Phet ("diamond" in Thai), which originates in the Kaeng Krachan National Park and flows into the Gulf of Siam at Baan Laem.

    Phetchaburi is a predominantly agricultural province. The city reflects this with a large and thriving traditional market which buzzes with activity from pre-dawn until mid-day and is filled with various aromas. It is very much a working city, with few tourists.

    Visit the local spa resort for the day or evening and make use of the pool, spa facilities and restaurants. A massage is the best way to work out those aches and pains!

    A few minutes' away from the centre is the local village where you can stock up on snacks and personal items or visit the Buddist Temple and big Buddha. 

    Please note

    Thailand offers many activities that include animals. Do not ride an elephant, have your picture taken with an animal or visit a zoo or animal entertainment venue. These activities exploit, abuse and overwork animals and many are considered illegal by the Thai Government. 

    Any tour, activity or show that involves the use of animals in Thailand falls outside the O2E Policy for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (fluently)

    Required Documents

    Proof of travel Insurance docs and Proof of vaccinations

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    No specific skills are required other than a love for animals, a genuine need to help them and a hard working ethic. You will need to be in good physical condition due to the nature of the work undertaken in a hot and humid environment. You should be patient, caring, willing to accept new ideas and be prepared to be challenged by alternative cultural views on the treatment of animals.

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers


    What's included in this project?


    • Pre-departure support
    • Project Information Pack
    • Arrival orientation
    • Accommodation
    • Meals
    • O2E T-Shirt
    • All necessary training by staff or volunteers
    • 24-hour in-country support
    • 24-hour O2E emergency phone
    • Certificate of Participation, if requested
    What's not included in this project?

    • Flights
    • Travel insurance
    • Bangkok airport or hotel transfer to project (O2E can arrange)
    • Personal spending
    • Visas and entry permits

    Airport Pickup at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    Fly to Bangkok, Thailand. The centre is located 4 hours south of Bangkok. O2E will organise your transport from Bangkok airport or your hotel to take you directly to the centre.

    A deposit of $495 Australian Dollars is payable when you complete the online application form.

    Accommodation

    Basic shared rooms for 2-4 people on site at the centre

    Food & Beverages

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner with vegetarian and vegan options.

    Fresh, filtered water is provided.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok. We assist you to find cheap flights to Thailand. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Thailand provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Thailand you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Thailand. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Volunteers can join the project start every Sunday of the year.

    To get there, fly to Bangkok, Thailand. The centre is located 4 hours south of Bangkok. O2E will organise your transport from Bangkok airport or your hotel to take you directly to the centre, or volunteers can take a bus to the local town where they will be picked up.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 758€
    2 weeks 1,147€
    3 weeks 1,471€
    4 weeks 1,796€
    5 weeks 2,120€
    6 weeks 2,444€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 4,888€
    Average fees 583€/week

    Program fees

    583€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers

    Outstanding 4.9 rating (211 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2011

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Tracy

    Spoken languages: English

    About the project

    Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers is a non-profit organisation that was founded for the purpose of providing resources and financial assistance to animal welfare and conservation

    Meet your organization

    The O2E Founders are animal lovers and committed volunteers. They founded and established the organisation in Melbourne, Australia, having seen firsthand that volunteer recruitment agencies were not always aware if the projects they supported had the best interests of animals and environment in mind. Instead, unethical and harmful behaviour including elephant riding, unsustainable tree nursery projects and the consumption of scarce community resources by the presence of volunteers were often the result. Local wildlife communities and the animals’ environments were also clearly disadvantaged. For this reason, we created our Oceans 2 Earth Ethical Standards and the Wildlife Code and measure all potential projects by these policies prior to partnering with them.

    Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers offers volunteering and adventure travel experiences for ethically minded animal and conservation lovers looking for the trip of a lifetime.

    In creating Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers, the O2E founders challenge and engage individuals to contribute to meaningful animal welfare and conservation projects. As wildlife carers and avid animal welfare and rights campaigners, they uphold a vision to promote ethical volunteering as an advisable travel alternative.

    We believe the way to solve the issues of animal mistreatment and environmental destruction and degradation is to provide people with the opportunity to contribute and interact so that they may develop their own personal culture of responsibility and global conservation. People exposed first hand to challenging bio diverse environmental issues are more likely to draw on those experiences and continue to make a positive impact once they arrive home. 

    Oceans 2 Earth recognise that individuals really can make a difference. However small the work effort is from one person, if you combine the actions of many people as a whole, the result can become quite significant. By bringing like-minded and ethically conscious animal lovers together, Oceans 2 Earth believe that there is no limit to what we can achieve. 

    Our Mission

    Promote environmental sustainability and to be accountable for our impact on the environment.

    Take action and find solutions to improve the natural, bio-diverse way of life for all. Promote the ethical treatment and natural living ecology of all animals.

    Expose and educate volunteers to the plight of animals ill-affected by conflict or interaction with man, encouraging them to take action and find solutions to these global issues. 

    211 reviews · rating4.9

    This is my 3rd time with O2E and I have thoroughly enjoyed each experience. Tracy in the office has always been extremely helpful and quick to answer my questions. I have done the Marine Conservation twice now and Helen and Tim are great leaders. My first Marine Conservation involved doing my Rescue ...
    Oceans 2 Earth is a great organization for anyone looking to volunteer and have some fun while doing it. The program is very well organized and it is clear how you are making an impact. Helen, Amy, and Tim are all great group leaders. You are able to see all sorts of different marine life while ...
    Sienna Scouter rating5

    2024 at Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

    Helen, Amy, and Sam were wonderful project leaders. They always showed up with lots of enthusiasm and were excited to teach us throughout the day. Overall, the snorkeling activities were enjoyable and the surveys were ...
    Charlotte Pierce rating5

    2024 at Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

    O2E has been great. O2E has been such a great experience, all the staff were so friendly and helpful. I loved learning about how we can observe and conserve the ...
    Amylyn Mortimer rating5

    2024 at Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

    Helen, Amy and Timmy were awesome! I learned a lot and enjoyed meeting and becoming friends with the members of our group. Fitzroy and Green island are absolutely beautiful. There’s a lot of down time in the afternoon to freely snorkel or walk around the islands. They were very inclusive of my ...
    Emmy Christiansen rating5

    2024 at Great Barrier Reef Marine Conservation

    I have had one of the best weeks of my life. Not only Australia, but the team here has been wonderful! We learned so many interesting things about the indigenous culture. And I had never seen so many beautiful marine creatures. I’ll never forget this adventure. Thank ...

    Location

    Asia > South East Asia > Thailand > Bangkok

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