SUMATRA WILDLIFE HUSBANDRY INTERNSHIP

Build Your Animal Care Career in the Sumatra

In this Sumatra Wildlife Husbandry Internship, you will work alongside our experienced animal care team to support the daily health, welfare, and rehabilitation of around 25 native gibbons and 6 sun bears on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park. From day one, you’ll gain practical experience in animal diets, daily enrichment, Forest School sessions, and sanctuary operations.

This internship will teach you to be observant, flexible, and hands-on with your behavioural observations—skills that will serve you throughout your career in animal care, husbandry, and conservation. To help tailor the placement to your career goals, you can also take on a specific internship project. This allows you to build a standout piece of work for academic credit or your CV.

Schedule & Hours

You will follow a standard schedule from Monday to Friday (07:00–16:00), leaving weekends free to relax and explore the surrounding region. While your schedule is structured, sanctuary life is dynamic, and you may occasionally assist with urgent animal care or special sanctuary projects outside standard hours.

This is your chance to join a dedicated team and make a real difference for Sumatran wildlife!

Your Responsibilities & Learning Opportunities

Diet Preparation & Feeding: Prepare species-specific meals for gibbons and sun bears, monitor appetites, and track daily nutritional intake.
Behavioural Enrichment: Design and craft creative enrichment puzzles—such as bamboo feeders or treat logs—to keep animals mentally active and engaged.
Forest School Support: Assist young gibbons as they learn essential wild survival skills, including tree climbing and natural foraging.
Behaviour & Recovery Monitoring: Track natural animal behaviours and physical progress as rescued wildlife adapt and heal.
Sanctuary Projects: Support essential enclosure maintenance, site repairs, and habitat maintenance projects around the base.
Cross-Cultural Mentorship: Work side-by-side with experts, gaining insight into community-led wildlife care.

DOWNLOAD JOB DESCRIPTION

♥ FULL-TIME, VOLUNTEER BASIS
♥ DURATION: 2+ WEEKS, longer is preferred
♥ LOCATION: LANGKAT REGENCY, NORTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA
♥ SEASON: ALL YEAR
♥ ACADEMIC SUPERVISION
♥ £240 / 2 weeks (ACCOMMODATION & FOOD)
♥ £480 / 4 weeks (ACCOMMODATION & FOOD)
♥ £750/ 6 weeks (ACCOMMODATION & FOOD)
♥ £960 / 8 weeks (ACCOMMODATION & FOOD)

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

Surrounded by the Wonders of Gunung Leuser National Park

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gunung Leuser National Park is home to one of Southeast Asia’s richest and most biodiverse tropical rainforests. The landscape spans dramatic volcanic peaks, winding river systems, and pristine lakes, making it an incredible region to explore during your time off.

Beyond its scenery, the park serves as a vital sanctuary for rich biodiversity and thousands of plant and animal species, including Sumatran elephants, rhinos, tigers, orangutans, and siamangs. Joining our Sumatra Wildlife Husbandry Internship at the edge of this ancient forest offers a rare, immersive experience in one of the world’s most critical conservation areas.

GET THE GUIDE!

Complete the form to get the download link for
the Essential Guide to Conservation Internships

Ignite your passion for conservation! Your definitive guide to Malaysian wildlife internships is here. We’ve answered all your questions, so you can focus on the adventure and impact. Discover incredible opportunities and make a real difference!”

WHAT YOU CAN OFFER:

Strong interest in animal care and conservation.
Patience, confidence, and strong observation skills when working around and caring for wildlife
Good organisation and project management skills
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Flexibility to adapt to working in a different culture
Enjoys practical, manual, and sometimes heavy work
Allergy-free or well-managed (animal hair, fur, feather, and dust)
Fluent in English; Bahasa Indonesia is useful but not essential
Required vaccinations: Hepatitis A+B, Tetanus, and Tuberculosis (or a negative TB screen test)

WHAT YOU CAN GAIN:

Practical experience in daily animal care, feeding routines, and diet preparation
Hands-on skills in crafting behavioural enrichment for gibbons and sun bears
Practical understanding of wildlife rescue and recovery
Experience in behavioural observation, health monitoring, and data logging
Tailored academic support for long-term interns (12+ weeks) on research projects
Outstanding, career-boosting CV experience for conservation paths
Intercultural teamwork experience and adaptability in a remote setting

YOUR ON-SITE ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is provided in comfortable, brick-built bungalows. Interns share air-conditioned twin rooms (single-sex) complete with fresh bedding, a wardrobe, and an en-suite bathroom featuring a western-style toilet and a spacious shower (luke-warm water).

Outside, each room has its own small patio leading into a shared seating area where you can relax with fellow interns.

YOUR FOOD AND FACILITIES

Three cooked meals featuring delicious local Indonesian dishes—such as rice, noodles, and fresh vegetables—are provided daily. Vegan and special dietary requirements can be accommodated upon request. Filtered water, tea, and coffee are available throughout the day.

Wi-Fi is available in the communal canteen and office area. However, we recommend getting a local SIM card for personal daily use.

START DATES:

This project accepts interns all year, starting every Sunday.

MINIMUM AGE FOR THIS PROJECT: 18 years

Includes:

Accommodation in twin bedded bungalows
Three cooked meals
24-hour in-country support
On-site mentoring for any academic credits or projects
Certificate of completion

Excludes:

Flights
Personal insurance
Transportation to/from the centre
Visa costs
Wi-Fi
Additional snacks or drinks
Other 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.