Zoo and Animal Caretaker

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Work along with staff and other volunteers from all walks of life at a privately-owned zoo that is dedicated to the care of Australia’s native wildlife!

Are you a nature lover? Then venture in to Australia and be part of a unique opportunity and gain the satisfaction that comes from working in a great environment with an amazing team. Work along with staff and other volunteers from all walks of life at a privately-owned zoo that is dedicated to the ...

About the program

Are you a nature lover? Then venture in to Australia and be part of a unique opportunity and gain the satisfaction that comes from working in a great environment with an amazing team. Work along with staff and other volunteers from all walks of life at a privately-owned zoo that is dedicated to the care of Australia’s native wildlife in their natural habitat. Animals include thousands of birds, koalas, crocodiles, eclectus parrots, squirrel gliders, crocodiles, kangaroos, red-tailed cockatoos, snakes, lizards and so many more!

The Sanctuary is quite popular with many of the local schools, and is recognized as an Advanced Ecotourism Attraction, winning numerous tourism awards. As a volunteer, you will be working shoulder to shoulder with the rangers, where you will perform a variety of duties based on experience and competence. While the minimum duration for a volunteer is two weeks, volunteering for a longer period allows you the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge about Australia’s native wildlife and working at a Zoo. This project is perfect for you if you enjoy wildlife and want to live/work in an amazing environment. You will dedicate your time towards the conservation of native wildlife and assist in educating and entertain ing visitors. Volunteers play an important role in the Sanctuary. The work is rewarding but can be physically demanding and by no means an ’easy holiday option’!

Typical day

Volunteers play a vital role at the zoo in assisting with the daily activities. Your work will depend on the area you are interested in and will mostly be focused on cleaning, maintenance and food preparation. You will participate in the volunteer training program where training will be done in ...

Typical day

Volunteers play a vital role at the zoo in assisting with the daily activities. Your work will depend on the area you are interested in and will mostly be focused on cleaning, maintenance and food preparation. You will participate in the volunteer training program where training will be done in various activities and progress through Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Skills and for appropriate volunteers, to Specialist Skills. The amount and type of animal interaction that volunteers are involved with generally increases with progression through the skill levels. Some volunteers will be asked to perform different duties that you would not be allowed to perform. This is only because they have been volunteering for much longer than you and in time you can also have the same opportunities. Your responsibilities will include but not limited to:

  • Preparing enclosures and the grounds for daily visitors. This includes raking, cleaning, feeding and of course, picking up poo!
  • Preparing food and treats for our animals (including carnivores)
  • Assisting the Rangers in presenting our daily wildlife talks and facilitating animal interactions
  • Assisting in the maintenance of the grounds
  • Assisting the Rangers with their duties, such as weighing our animals and undertaking health checks
  • Helping our visitors get the most out of their time at the Sanctuary
  • Assisting the Rangers with tour groups
  • Other specialised activities, such as preparing educational material, gardening, construction and visitor assistance.

Free-time activities

On days off, volunteers can go sightseeing to nearby Museums and Parks. Lots of activity such as; diving/snorkling, water sports, boat tours, helicopter tours and more also available however, this will be at the volunteers expense.

Free-time activities

On days off, volunteers can go sightseeing to nearby Museums and Parks. Lots of activity such as; diving/snorkling, water sports, boat tours, helicopter tours and more also available however, this will be at the volunteers expense.


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 (basic level)

Required Documents

CV, Resume, Letter of Motivation, Two pics and Signed Policies and Liability form (provided during application process)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:30 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Fronteering Travel

The Fees includes:

  • Hostel in Townsville.
  • Meals included at homestay and not included if you choose to stay at the hostel.
  • Fly to Townsville Airport where your homestay family will be waiting on you. 
  • Ongoing Service and 24/7 Emergency Contact

Airport Pickup at Townsville Airport

Fronteering will assist you in arranging your shuttle.

Accommodation

Volunteers will be staying at a local hostel in Townsville.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Townsville Airport (TSV) in Townsville. We assist you to find cheap flights to Australia. 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 Australia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

There are no specific start/arrival dates however, we recommend that you start the project on a Monday.

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,691€
4 weeks 1,990€
6 weeks 2,489€
8 weeks 2,988€
10 weeks 3,387€
12 weeks (max. stay) 3,985€
Average fees 589€/week

Program fees

589€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 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 Fronteering Travel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Fronteering Travel

Perfect 4.6 rating (87 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Patrick

Spoken languages: Dutch, English, German

About the project

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs related to wildlife and indigenous people in less visited places of this world as well as more unique destinations.

Meet your organization

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs in some of the last frontiers of this world as well as more unique locations that other organizations ignore. From Field research programs in the Far north of Canada and Husky ranches in the Canadian Arctic to Amerindian community programs and wildlife conservation in the Amazon Rainforest and everything in between.

Most of our programs Focus on either wildlife rehabilitation and release, wildlife conservation & research or involve local indigenous communities.

Fronteering currently offers programs in Canada, Guyana, USA, Australia, Brazil, Borneo, South Africa, Madagascar and Panama.

True good causes: FRONTEERINGS volunteer abroad projects are either existing local projects or projects that are build from the group up by FRONTEERING. What these projects have in common is that you will be supporting a true good cause! You will have the opportunity to help where the need is the greatest. Our projects focus on helping the local communities, wildlife, indigenous people and the environment in cooperation with the local/indigenous communities. We focus on true volunteer projects where your effort really makes a difference. That’s why through Fronteering you will rehabilitate injured & orphaned wildlife with the goal to release the animal. That is the reason why will not send you to some far southern country to cuddle with tame lions & tigers with any real purpose. If you want to volunteer abroad with a real purpose, contact us!

Safety: At FRONTEERING we do our outmost best to provide the safety measures needed for our Volunteer Abroad projects and Adventure Travel Trips. However due to the fact that many of our projects and trips involve wild animals and/or are in remote locations there is a small element of risk involved. Not all of our projects and trips are for the faint at heart however we do cater to those of all walks of life. If you are not too sure about the suitability of a Volunteer Abroad project or an Adventure Travel trip then feel free to ask as we are always ready to answer any questions or discuss any doubts that come to mind. For more information please check our Safety & In-country Support section before you volunteer abroad.

A real adventure: We do not want our volunteers to end up trying to safe or clean up some small patch of rainforest which in some places they might call a wilderness. Instead you will volunteer in the immense jungle of the Amazon rainforest or venture in to the vast Canadian wilderness! Our volunteer abroad projects are situated in the remote areas of the world and we focus on countries and regions with the lowest population densities. We at FRONTEERING focus on what works; from sleeping in the jungle underneath the stars with nothing more than your own private hammock to back-to-basic cabins in the northern tundra with a cozy smothering fireplace and no electricity! When you volunteer abroad with FRONTEERING you can be sure it will be adventure.

Off the beaten path: With FRONTEERING volunteer abroad projects you will venture to places less visited. We focus on places that are fairly undiscovered where the nature, wildlife and indigenous cultures are still common. You will have the great opportunity to see these amazing places while they are still unspoiled and pure. It is these places where there is the most to lose but even more to gain through successful conservation work and sustainable tourism. 

Community involvement: Foremost when volunteering abroad the well being of the community should come first. For all of our trips we use local guides, local transportation and local communities so that through sustainable tourism we can help to protect the environment, wildlife and sustain the way of life of indigenous cultures & communities. More and more and governments choose the long term benefit of sustainable tourism over the short term gain of mining and logging. A good example is Gabon which in 2002 after recommendations from environmental researchers set up 13 new national parks. The government of Guyana is currently considering protecting its entire rainforest region which still covers 80% of the country. Hopefully through our combined effort this dream will one day become true.

Mission
FRONTEERING specializes in organizing volunteer abroad projects to preserve the environment, wildlife and indigenous people throughout the world while giving the volunteers a real and raw experience in some of the most beautiful and often remote places in the world to make a true difference.

Vision
FRONTEERING strives to provide real off the beaten path volunteer abroad experiences worldwide that satisfy the need for volunteer projects that truly makes a difference for the environment, wildlife and indigenous people.


87 reviews · rating4.6

Joel Whitelake rating5

2023 at Zoo and Animal Caretaker

Right after I finished Uni I received a job offer and started working in the corporate world while many of my friends took a gap year instead. After a few setbacks at work I quite my job and decided it was time to take a gapyear myself. My eyes fell on Australia which I arranged through Fronteering ...
Patrik Lützelschwab rating4.8

2023 at Zoo and Animal Caretaker

Hilfe beim Ausmisten der Säugetiere, Vögel sowie Futter zubereiten sowie auch bei Shows mithelfen (Reptilien halten) von morgens bis spät nachmittags (7.30 - 16 ...
Sara Weber rating3.2

2023 at Zoo and Animal Caretaker

Der 1. Tag war ok, es war viel Rechenarbeit und Foodprep, Lunch (Sandwitch und Slushie) inbegriffen, man wurde einem Ranger zugeteil. Man wurde jeden Tag mit dem Auto abgeholt und wieder zurück gebracht. Danach wars nicht mehr so organisiert. Die Arbeiten wurden den Rangern zugeteilt, die Volies ...
Soren Skoven Andersen rating3.6

2019 at Zoo and Animal Caretaker

In general a really good experience, with a good hostle where i met a lot of people, the scantuary itself was good with a lot of good staff and differen other volunteers, both local and international. You get to do a viarity of differnet tasks, i would go without ...
Em St. rating5

2015 at Zoo and Animal Caretaker

I had an unforgettable experience in Australia. Firstly, my homestay was very welcoming and accommodating. She was very generous in showing me the city of Townsville on our breaks, and offered me rides to any attractions I wanted to visit. It was always nice to have a laidback home to come back to ...
Chris H rating5

2024 at Critter Caretaker

I volunteered at the critter care taker program in Canada in May just 1 month after I turned 18. I was quite nervous and my parents also and so I decided to book through Fronteering instead of trying to arrange it myself. This made it very easy and I felt a lot better. I did travel to Vancouver a ...

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  Excellent response rate
Dutch, English, German

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