03/09/2010
Gap Year Volunteering With Animals Abroad
Gain real hands on experience volunteering with animals on a gap year overseas! Are you interested in taking a gap year and volunteering and working with animals, there are a wide range of projects available worldwide for you to consider.
If you have a passion for working with animals, either in the field of veterinary medicine or in a more general animal care-oriented role, then voluntary projects are a perfect way for you to gain some knowledge or put your skills into practice, with some work experience in the developing world.
A lot of gap year volunteer projects have the ultimate aim of rehabilitating the animals and setting them free back in their natural environment.
Animal conservation projects including helping to preserve pandas in China. In Chengdu there are panda reserves where you can really help these giants. Gap year volunteer with pandas in China, duties include preparing and serving food for the pandas, cleaning their enclosures and observing and researching the pandas.
In South-East Asia you could volunteer with elephants in Thailand which is really popular with people on round the world trips. There are also elephant volunteer programs at animal sanctuary's in Sri Lanka.
On South Africa gap year conservation programs there is the opportunity to view and work with the Great White Shark in its natural environment. You will learn about the Great White and then you'll put that knowledge to use by assisting in conservation and research into this awesome animal.
Volunteer with lions in Africa, their numbers are decreasing at an alarming rate, in Zimbabwe you can get close to lion cubs on gap year conservation projects which are trying to breed and preseve the lions.
Gap year wildlife tourism and conservation workshops are available to help improve your knowledge of animals and nature. You could even considering a different career path and train to be a field guide in Africa. Along the coast of Mauritius you can make a vital contribution to the work of a local NGO's by monitoring wild dolphin and whale populations. Work is focused on safe-guarding the marine environment, paying particular attention to the protection of marine mammals and coral reefs.
On a Asia gap year, you could visit the Sepilok rehabilitation centre and work / volunteer with orang-utans in Borneo.
A lot of gap year adventure tours and Africa gap year safaris incorporate wildlife activities, you could go on an adventure safari and get close to the big five wild animals in South Africa for example.
In Central America you could learn to scuba dive in Honduras and dive deep to see fish and sharks and then participate on marine projects.
In Eastern Europe you could take a gap year in Romania. There are orphanage programs and also the possibility to visit and volunteer with bears in Romania at a well established sanctuary caring for the endangered brown bear is always seeking help.
You can volunteer whether you are on a gap year from your education, on a career break, or as part of an extended holiday. No matter what your age or experience there are placements for you!
Browse Gap Year 365 Travel Opportunities:
- Gap Year Volunteer Conservation Programs
- Animal Gap Year Volunteer Projects
Animal Rescue Volunteer, Vietnam 
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Gap Year 365 is a Gap Year, Year Out and Career Break guide to Gap Year Work, Gap Year Volunteering, Working Holidays, Round the World Travel, Adventure Holidays, Teaching and expeditions.
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