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LAOS WILDLIFE VETERINARY INTERNSHIP
wildlife veterinary internship
bear volunteering
laos wildlife conservation

Join the Frontlines of Saving Wildlife in Laos

Step into a state-of-the-art wildlife hospital in Laos, where rescued animals receive urgent care and rehabilitation before returning to the wild. Here, the focus is on the animals, from critical rescue cases needing immediate intervention to individuals undergoing longer-term rehabilitation in preparation for release. With modern veterinary technology and a hands-on clinical environment, the hospital provides care for a wide range of native species and offers real exposure to wildlife medicine in action.

As part of a small, close-knit team, you’ll be involved in day-to-day hospital operations and treatment of wildlife patients. From monitoring recovery and assisting with procedures to supporting rehabilitation efforts, you’ll work closely with animals whose needs change from day to day, each with their own story. This role provides meaningful exposure to real cases and the opportunity to build confidence in a supportive environment.

Outside of your clinical work, you’ll experience the relaxed pace and natural beauty of Laos in a setting that reflects the environment these animals are being prepared to return to.

Your responsibilities & learning opportunities

  • Veterinary Support: Assist with treatments, procedures, and daily clinical duties alongside experienced veterinary staff in a busy wildlife hospital.
  • Animal Care & Welfare: Support feeding, husbandry, and daily care for a variety of wildlife patients, including injured, sick, and recovering animals with different clinical needs.
  • Rehabilitation Support: Assist with the care and monitoring of animals undergoing rehabilitation, contributing to their preparation for potential release.
  • Operational Support: Maintain strict hygiene and biosecurity standards and ensure accurate medical and husbandry records.
  • Work Schedule: Expect to work from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm six days per week, with flexibility required for emergencies, rescues, and incoming wildlife cases outside standard hours.
  • Academic Support: We provide guidance for academic requirements and offer supervision and mentorship from qualified on-site veterinary 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
♥ PROFESSIONAL VET CLINIC
♥ £1,530 / 4 weeks (ACCOMMODATION & FOOD)

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

Laos wildlife veterinary internship

Beyond the Hospital: Exploring Northern Laos

The wildlife hospital 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.

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WHAT YOU CAN OFFER:

  • A degree (or study for) veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, animal management, or a related field
  • Clinical experience desirable; experience in wildlife-related fields, maintenance, or communications is also welcome for general internships
  • Confidence and patience in handling animals safely
  • 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
  • Fluent in English
  • Up-to-date vaccinations
  • Flexibility and adaptability to work in a different cultural and field-based environment

WHAT YOU CAN GAIN:

  • Real-world clinical experience with a wide range of native Southeast Asian wildlife species
  • Hands-on involvement in veterinary procedures, diagnostics, emergency care, and treatment support
  • Practical skills in wildlife health monitoring, quarantine, and preventative medicine
  • Experience in animal care, husbandry, and behavioural observation
  • Insight into wildlife rehabilitation, from rescue to release preparation
  • Exposure to conservation practice and work within a professional veterinary team
  • Development of strong record-keeping, data management, and field-based research skills
  • Professional CV skills that stand out to future veterinary employers

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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