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LAOS WILDLIFE HUSBANDRY INTERNSHIP

Shape the Future of Conservation in Laos

Be part of wildlife conservation in action by joining our wildlife husbandry internship in the heart of Lao PDR. At this leading rescue centre, animals displaced by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal trade find a vital second chance. Care here spans rescue, rehabilitation, sanctuary, and release back into protected forests. Every enclosure, feeding routine, and enrichment activity is designed to restore welfare, dignity, and opportunities for survival to rescued wildlife.

As an intern, you will gain practical, active experience by supporting daily feeding routines, maintaining enclosures, and designing creative enrichment to encourage natural behaviors. Working alongside experienced conservationists, you will help shape the spaces where animals heal and thrive. As you gain experience and confidence, you will have the opportunity to take on more independent responsibilities and leadership tasks.

This is a highly active, deeply rewarding, field-based experience. Outside of your duties, you’ll be fully immersed in life at a remote wildlife facility, living and working with a tight-knit team dedicated to protecting biodiversity for the future.

Important Note on Animal Welfare: This facility operates under a strict no-touch, hands-off policy. To prioritise the psychological well-being and future release of the animals, interns do not have direct physical contact with wildlife. Your impact comes from providing top-tier care and habitat improvement from a respectful distance.

Your responsibilities & learning opportunities

  • Wildlife Husbandry Support: Assist with daily feeding, cleaning, and husbandry of rescued and resident wildlife, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare.
  • Enrichment creation: Design and construct innovative enrichment tools to stimulate natural behaviours, reduce stress, and support rehabilitation goals.
  • Habitat and Infrastructure Construction: Help build and maintain enclosures, creating essential structures like shelters, climbing systems, and pools.
  • Behavioural Observation & Welfare Monitoring: Assist in monitoring animal behaviour and recording welfare data for individual residents.
  • Work Schedule: Expect to work from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm six days per week. A flexible mindset is required, as rescues, emergencies, and urgent animal care needs frequently arise
  • Academic Support: We provide guidance for academic requirements and offer supervision and mentorship from qualified on-site professionals who can support project ideas and learning objectives.

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♥ FULL-TIME, VOLUNTEER BASIS
♥ DURATION: min. 4 WEEKS
♥ LOCATION: XIENGLETHA VILLAGE, LAOS
♥ TRAINING PROVIDED
♥ ACADEMIC SUPERVISION
♥ £1,530 / 4 weeks (ACCOMMODATION & FOOD)

Please get in touch if you have any questions
[email protected]

Laos wildlife husbandry internship

Experience Northern Laos

This internship is based in Xiengletha, a rural area in northern Laos surrounded by forest, farmland, and natural vegetation. This landscape is not just a backdrop to the work but the environment from which many wildlife cases come, creating a clear connection between clinical care and conservation in the field.

Outside of work, life takes on a slower, more immersive rhythm. Free time is often spent exploring the surrounding countryside, walking forest trails, visiting nearby rivers and waterfalls, or simply taking in the natural surroundings. Interns also have opportunities to experience local life, from village markets to traditional activities such as drum-making workshops.

Evenings can include night walks through the forest, where the sounds and movement of wildlife offer a completely different perspective of the environment. Occasional trips to nearby towns provide a contrast, with small cafés and a glimpse into everyday life in northern Laos.

guide to conservation internships

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WHAT YOU CAN OFFER:

  • A degree (or current study) in biology, conservation, or a related field
  • Prior experience in wildlife care, facility maintenance, construction, or related fields is desirable
  • Confidence and patience when working safely around animals while adhering to a strict no-touch policy
  • Strong observational skills and accurate record-keeping abilities
  • Good physical fitness
  • No allergies (or ability to manage them) to animal hair, fur, feathers, or dust
  • Fluency in English with strong communication skills
  • Up-to-date vaccinations
  • Flexibility and adaptability to work in a different cultural and field-based environment

WHAT YOU CAN GAIN:

  • Real-world experience in wildlife husbandry, dietary preparation, and  comprehensive welfare management
  • Skills in building species-specific enrichment to encourage natural behaviours
  • Practical knowledge of enclosure design and habitat construction
  • Confidence and resilience when navigating unpredictable field conditions while adhering to a strict facility schedule
  • Enhanced observational skills for monitoring and accurate clinical record-keeping abilities
  • Leadership experience from managing daily routines and specific tasks
  • Understanding of biosecurity protocols and operational safety
  • Valuable mentorship working alongside experienced professionals
  • Intercultural communication skills

YOUR ON-SITE ACCOMMODATION

Volunteers stay in comfortable, tree-shaded bungalows that accommodate a maximum of two people

These rooms feature electrical outlets, fans, and fully screened windows to help keep mosquitoes out. Rooms are also equipped with Western-style toilets and hot water showers.

Fresh bed linen is provided on arrival and can be changed during your stay. Hammocks on the front porches offer the perfect place to relax. Interns are responsible for keeping their rooms tidy and swept.

While the centre attempts to maintain single-sex rooms, capacity constraints may require mixing, though couples and families can be accommodated together. 

Interns have unlimited access to a neighboring eco-resort infinity pool, perfect for unwinding after a day at the centre.

Getting to your accommodation: Coordinators pick up volunteers in Vientiane every Sunday between 10:00 and 11:00 am and transport them to the project site. Please email your hotel or airport details at least 48 hours in advance. Return transport to Vientiane is provided on Sundays, departing from the project site between 8:00 and 9:00 am.

YOUR FOOD AND FACILITIES

Two vegetarian hot meals are provided daily, while interns prepare their own breakfast from supplied groceries.

Clean drinking water, on-site laundry facilities, and detergent are included. Four branded T-shirts are provided on arrival, and you get to keep one.

Weekly afternoon excursions invite you to immerse yourself in the local culture and scenery, with visits to the Big Buddha, waterfalls, traditional drum makers, and nearby villages.

You can also join the weekly shopping trip to the village market to pick up extra snacks or drinks while experiencing everyday local life. Back at the centre, enjoy time with fellow volunteers playing games, gathering for movie night, or trying your hand at pétanque on the custom-built court.

Before you travel: Most volunteers enter Laos on a 30-day tourist visa, available on arrival or as an eVisa for many nationalities. Visa fees typically range from USD 30–45, depending on nationality. Your passport must be valid for at least six months, and all travelers must complete the Lao Digital Immigration Form before arrival. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, check the available visa extension or renewal options before traveling. As entry requirements may change, please verify the latest requirements for your nationality before departure.

START DATES:

All arrivals and departures are on Sunday morning.

Interns are accepted all year round.

MINIMUM AGE FOR THIS PROJECT: 18 years

Includes:

  • Accommodation in the bungalow
  • Unlimited access to the infinity pool at the eco-resort next door
  • Cooked Meals—lunch and dinner
  • Basic grocery supplies for breakfast
  • Pick-up and drop-off to and from Vientiane (capital city of Laos)
  • 24-hour in-country support
  • On-site mentoring for any academic credits or projects
  • Certificate of completion
  • Community activities

Excludes: 

  • Flights
  • Personal insurance
  • Transportation to/from the centre
  • Visa costs
  • Visa runs
  • Additional snacks or drinks
  • Activities outside the project

Wildlife volunteering and internships

Help us save wildlife and their habitats!

Malaysian Wildlife is a programme by Biodiversity Business, a non-profit organisation. We’re working to protect endangered animals in Asia. We do this by supporting local conservation projects through eco-tourism, volunteer opportunities, and education.

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