Once you’ve traveled with us on a wildlife volunteer program, you won’t see the world in the same way again. You’ll experience the raw beauty and vulnerability of nature as you work alongside an international team. Together, you’ll protect endangered animals and ecosystems. So get your backpack, because you’re going on an adventure!
Our programs cover an incredible range of environments, from mountains at the top of the world, to the islands that inspired Darwin to ponder the origin of life. If you love volunteer work with animals, you can unleash your passion in different ways, like:
- Protect the Big 5 and work with animals like elephants, lions, and leopards at a nature reserve in Africa
- Explore the rich biodiversity and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador
- Support wildlife rehabilitation at the renowned Taricaya Ecological Lodge in the heart of the Amazon.
You’ll support and learn from professional environmentalists and scientists, as well as people from the local community. We offer safe, ethical, and sustainable animal volunteer projects abroad. You’ll always be aware of the impact of your work and you’ll gain hands-on wildlife conservation work experience. These include reforestation efforts, and scientific research methods.
We’re here to help you choose the project that lets you pursue your passion for animals and nature. Read about our best animal volunteer programs abroad, or if your interests are drawing you more to ocean depths, check out our Marine Conservation Projects.
Gain Academic Credit
As a wildlife volunteer, you can sign up for our Diploma in International Volunteering. This has the option to specialize in Wildlife Conservation, designed to pair perfectly with our animal volunteer programs. You’ll gain academic credit while you volunteer, giving your university applications an extra boost.
Choose a Wildlife Conservation Project
1-3 of 24 Projects
Giant Tortoise & Sea Lion Conservation in the Galapagos Islands
See this project- Price: $3,000 USD for 1 week
- Extra Weeks: $500 USD
- Start Date: Anytime
- Minimum Duration: 1 week
- Ages: 16 or over
Take a Gap Semester Abroad in South America
See this project- Price: $7,895 USD for 8 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $300 USD
- Start Date: Throughout the year
- Minimum Duration: 8 weeks
- Ages: 17-24
Rhino Conservation in Nepal
See this project- Price: $3,140 USD for 2 weeks
- Extra Weeks: $470 USD
- Start Date: Anytime
- Minimum Duration: 2 weeks
- Ages: 16 or over
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
We’d be happy to talk about creating a custom project for you. Most of our staff have been volunteers themselves, so they’re ready to answer your questions, big or small.
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Is wildlife volunteering abroad right for me?
Our wildlife conservation volunteer opportunities are ideal for people who want to work with animals and carry out fieldwork in fascinating environments. You’ll get the relevant training when you arrive, like how to set camera traps or to complete wildlife surveys, so you don’t need previous experience. A passion for wildlife conservation and your explorer’s hat are great starting points!
These programs are also a good fit for anyone interested in getting first-hand insight into global environmental issues. You’ll do hands-on work, which includes educating local people about the importance of protecting the planet. Your activities will involve doing scientific research, collecting data in the field, reforestation, and more.
If you're looking to complete a conservation internship abroad, we've got just the thing. Read our blog on Wildlife Conservation internships, where we give more details on practical opportunities in the field.
If you’re interested in animal volunteering abroad, but feel a Conservation & Environment Project isn’t right for you, you may be interested in our Veterinary Medicine & Animal Care Projects. Read our full list of programs for international volunteering.
Projects Abroad gave us a detailed and extensive training session regarding all the conservation projects we would be involved in. They explained all the activities and pointed out the relevance of these projects in protecting and monitoring the unique species of the Galapagos. It's inspiring to know that Projects Abroad is making a real and concrete difference in such an extraordinary ecosystem, as well as how they are helping the development of the community as a whole on the island. - Bianca R, Giant Tortoise and Sea Lion Conservation in the Galapagos Islands
What will I gain from wildlife conservation volunteering abroad?
By working with animals in the heart of nature, you’ll give back to a community that needs help while developing your own skills.
Here are just some of the benefits that our previous volunteers talk about:
- Knowledge of practical conservation and environmental sciences
- Global competencies like teamwork, communication, leadership, resilience, organizing, planning, and time management
- The ability to work and empathise with people of different cultures and backgrounds, helping to develop a ‘global mindset’
- Confidence from pushing past your comfort zone
All of the above will help your personal development and add practical wildlife conservation work experience to your resume.
I really enjoyed working with the turtles and crocodiles, and it has secured what I want to do later in my life, which is working in conservation and animal welfare. - Rosanna H, Sea Turtle Conservation in Mexico
Why does wildlife conservation volunteering matter?
Protecting our planet is more important than ever. As the human population increases, natural habitats and resources are declining. This has a devastating impact on wildlife and vulnerable ecosystems. They can’t recover without our help.
In today’s fast paced society, it’s easy to feel like part of the problem rather than the solution. Now’s the time to take action, so that future generations can enjoy our planet for years to come.
I absolutely loved my project in the rainforest. We did a bird and lemur census, planted trees, collected seedlings, picked up litter, did path restoration, built bins, and educated local villagers about recycling and waste management. It was such a wonderful experience to work with the locals, learning from them, as well as teaching them. - Katie F, Lemur Research and Protection in Madagascar
How are our animal volunteer opportunities different?
At Projects Abroad, our first aim is to benefit the communities and environments we work in. You can be assured that your project is ethical, well supported, and part of a better future. Here’s just a few elements of our work that set it apart from other programs:
Be fully supported by staff
You’ll work alongside members of the local community and Projects Abroad staff. You’ll also be part of a wider network of volunteers. At each project, there is a full-time member of staff whose job it is to support our volunteers. They’ll work with you to make sure you spend your time in a way that genuinely makes impact and brings value to the program you do.
In addition, many of our staff at Conservation Projects are experts in their fields, with years of training and practical experience under their belts.
Recording our work in a secure database
We created a Global Impact Database so we can track the positive impact our projects have. This is a secure and anonymous database that we use to identify specific areas of need. We can also monitor individual projects to track their development.
For example, at our Rainforest Conservation Project in Peru in 2018, volunteers released two groups of Peruvian spider monkeys. According to our database, we’ve released a total of 35 spider monkeys since 2010. This is critical work, because this species was extinct in the area for almost a century due to hunting.
Our wildlife rehabilitation volunteer opportunities in Peru are slowly changing this. In the same year, we saw the birth of seven baby spider monkeys in the wild. This is tangible evidence that we’re helping to re-establish wild populations!
Programs that have an impact
All our programs are well researched, targeted, and sustainable. We aim to make a difference to the local community for the long term, as well as the animal species we work with.
Our Animal Protection Policy
We take protecting the animals and wildlife we work with very seriously. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive Animal Protection Policy to help guide our animal volunteer programs abroad.
Next Steps
Not quite what you’re looking for?
Take a look at the following pages where you'll find collections of similar projects:
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