fill out the following form for all volunteer enquiries
- Volunteer applicants from Indonesia are asked to apply via our Education Department: edu@tasikoi.org
We will endeavour to get back to you as soon as we can, but please be patient as sometimes there are difficulties with internet connection, and the staff are busy also looking after the animals and volunteers on-site.
Upon receipt of your application, the volunteer fee for various durations will explained to you, which covers the cost of your meals and accommodation, as well as a contribution towards the animals’ food and medication.
A free taxi pick-up from Manado airport is also included. The cost per week is less, the longer your stay in total. Based upon your intended duration of stay, the exact figure of the volunteer fee will be confirmed to you by email.
Volunteer to help save the wildlife of Asia. The Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Centre is located in exotic Sulawesi Island. The project is a rescue, rehabilitation and release centre for animals saved from the illegal wildlife trade.
Sulawesi Island remains the jumping off point for illegal shipments of animals for the exotic pet and ‘medicinal’ markets in Asia as well as having a thriving local bush meat industry. Globalteer is UK registered charity providing volunteer placements working in conservation in Asia
Sulawesi being the closest Indonesian island to the Philippines is being used as a consolidation point for illegal shipments of wildlife and wildlife products from Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the islands in the Eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago, especially Papua.
Orangutans, Malaysian Sun Bears, Gibbons, Tarsiers, Lorises, and Pangolins are some of the most endangered mammals smuggled out of the country. However, Cockatoos, Hornbills, birds of paradise as well as turtles and other reptiles are being smuggled out in even larger quantities.
Without a sustainable rescue facility the authorities are not able to enforce, raid and confiscate live animals as there are few existing transition centres. Many animals arrive in a stressed and neglected state and need a period of rehabilitation and veterinary care to bring them back to health. Unfortunately some are permanently disabled, stressed or domesticated and will never recover sufficiently to live in the wild.
In addition, many of the animals rescued in Sulawesi are not native to the island and cannot safely be released to an unfamiliar habitat or impose upon local ecosystems. The Indonesia Wildlife Rescue Centre endeavours to preserve these animals’s dignity by creating habitats where captive animals may thrive. It is hoped that these animals may enjoy the best quality of life possible in captivity.
Some of the Animal’s Stories
Orangutans – Two Orangutans, Is and Bento, were seized from smugglers by local authorities with the assistance of the project staff some four years ago. They are Bornean Orangutans intercepted on their way to the Philippines where it is thought they were destined to be exotic pets. Orangutan release programs in Borneo are already overwhelmed and there would have been nowhere else for these animals to go other than into the care of the centre.
‘Is’, born in 2004, was just one year old when rescued and was hand reared. ‘Is’ remains one of the major personalities of the project.
‘Bento’, born in 2002, with his slow upright walks around the enclosure would make you believe he is an old man.
Javan Leopard – Chal – The Javan Leopard is a beautiful small Leopard which is highly endangered. There are thought to be less than 250 individuals left in the wild. This Leopard came to the centre after being confiscated as a result of a raid on a smuggling operation. One of the biggest priorities of the centre is for a suitable enclosure to increase the quality of life available to Chal.
Sun Bears – BinBin and BonBon – The Malaysian sun bear is the smallest known bear rarely weighing more than an adult man. Habitat loss combined with the bear’s popularity in the tourism and entertainment industry threatens the future of these amazing creatures. Beliefs in some Asian countries that bears organs promote strength and virility have led to disgusting practices such as bear bile farms. BinBin and BonBon came to the centre as cubs unable to look after themselves. Their large claws make them accomplished climbers and they are often seen trying to scale the fences of their enclosure!
Species
There are many endangered species at the centre, including many rare birds, primates and other wildlife. Among the mammals undergoing care at the centre are Orangutans, gibbons, macaques and one of the most critically endangered leopards in the world, the Javan leopard along with sun bears, rusa deer and the fascinating babirusa. Over 40 macaques are in residence at the centre, including the charismatic Sulawesi Macaque, which is endemic to Sulawesi.
All 5 species including the Crested Black Macaque, (Macaca nigra), can be found and are currently all undergoing rehabilitation to form natural groups as they would in the wild. There are many birds which include the prehistoric Cassowary, extremely rare Pesquet’s Parrot along with an assortment of exotic pigeons, birds of prey, cockatoos and several species of parrot. There are also an assortment of reptiles which include various species of turtle and crocodiles. A rehabilitation and release program for native species is also under operation.
The Location
Sulawesi is the third largest island in Indonesia located between Borneo and the Banda Islands, a four hour flight from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The project is located in the north of the island, a one and a half hour drive from the regional capital of Manado. Your collection from Manado or the airport will be arranged in advance of your arrival. Manado is a thriving city of over half a million people and contains many of the facilities common to any urban location such as restaurants, shopping malls and cinemas.
The centre itself is set in an idyllic coastal headland where forest and mangrove flourish. Volcanoes dominate the surrounding terrain while the many small fishing communities in the area allow volunteers to get a taste of traditional rural life. The centre also has a long and expansive volcanic black sand beach giving opportunities for swimming, snorkelling or quite evening walks. It would not be an exaggeration to claim that the Indonesian Wildlife Rescue centre is located in an oasis of tranquillity with opportunity for lovers of nature and tropical environments.
Volunteer schedule
Volunteers currently work a six day week. Daily working hours vary depending on the weather and the needs of the project however they are generally 8 hour working days. Volunteers are expected to make an early start along with the animals and will work independently or with local staff in a variety of different tasks. Daily activities often include a rotation of the following:
• Cleaning a variety of enclosures.
• Refilling water containers.
• Preparing and giving food to the animals.
• Collecting local grasses, seeds or leaves for the animals.
• Providing life enrichment to stimulate animals in the form of new challenges for food or novel items in the enclosure.
• Maintaining and cleaning the centre.
• Upgrading enclosures, maintenance of enclosures and special assignments at the direction of the project manager.
An example of typical working day:
6.30 – Fill water at the bear enclosure.
7.00 – Clean and fill water at the primate enclosure.
8.00 – Breakfast.
9.00 – Feeding at the primate enclosure.
10.00 – Special project time, cleaning and maintaining centre.
12.00 – Lunch.
13.00 – Cleaning primate enclosure.
14.00 – Feeding and watering at aviary / leopard / bear /primate enclosures.
16.00 – Finish work, time for a well earned shower and time on the beach!
19.00 – Dinner.
Please be aware that this is a dynamic project and this is just an example of a typical day, volunteer duties may change during their placement.
Due to the tropical climate the work can be tough however most afternoons a nice coastal breeze keeps the temperatures down. Direct contact with the animals is discouraged for the safety of you and the animals, however, volunteers will see their hard work rewarded as animals delight in being transferred to larger enclosures or simply in passing the Orangutans out on their daily walks!
Extra Activities
The evenings at the centre are generally quite as most volunteers relax after a long days work. Games, movies and socializing often set the tone for the night. The local village, which sees few tourists, is well worth a visit and curious locals will seize the opportunity to practice their English and find out more about you. Volunteers sometimes take a taxi to Manado which has many restaurants, bars shopping malls.
A weekly shopping trip gives volunteers the chance to stock up on snacks and supplies and check their email. On Sundays, volunteers are free to explore the nearby city of Bitung, surrounding national parks, trek volcanoes or take advantage of ample snorkelling and dive sites.
Volunteers can take advantage of the many tourism opportunities that Sulawesi has to offer before or after their placement. Islands, waterfalls, treks, diving, snorkelling, national parks and festivals abound. Bunaken, an island 30km off the coast of Manado offers some of South-East Asia’s best dive sites containing steep drop-offs, caves and tunnels with a magnificent abundance of coral and fish.
Furthermore, the exotic and isolated Togean islands are a lost tropical paradise comparable to Thailand but without the crowds. Sulawesi offers a wealth of opportunity to the adventurous tourist and those wanting to stray from the beaten track.
Your donation includes –
• Accommodation for the duration of your stay.
• Free airport pickup from Manado.
• Three meals a day.
• Full pre-arrival and in country support.
• Self-service laundry.
• Assistance and advice for onward travel.
• An unforgettable experience!
Your donation does not include flights, visas, or insurance although we can provide information as required.
Where your money goes?
Volunteer donations will be instrumental in saving this project from closure. The Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Centre will use received funds to cover the running costs of the centre. The main concern is of course providing for the animals and volunteer donations will provide food, keeper’s salaries and veterinary expenses. If urgently needed additional funding is made available to the centre, efforts will be made to upgrade inadequate enclosures which will improve the standard of life for the animals.