you if you have a strong interest in conservation and wildlife and want to help rescued bears while exploring this fascinating country.
Please contact us to find out more and we can direct you to our website which has all the details or give you a call to tell you all about it.

Introduction
You will work as a volunteer at a bear sanctuary, helping to care for over 90 rescued bears.

About the Centre and the bears
The centre is very large and houses many species. Volunteers will be working with the bears and there are currently over 90 bears, a mix of Sun Bears and Black Bears. It is home to bears that have been rescued from a range of different situations including poachers, the black market and businesses using them for entertainment.

The bear sanctuary covers an area of approximately 5-6 hectares, and contains large rocky outcrops, native vegetation, climbing frames, bathing pools and night dens.

The Centre is located about 1 hour's drive from Pnomh Penh.

A typical week
So what will you be doing every day?

Your work will include:

• feeding the bears


• enrichment of their environment


• cleaning the enclosures


• repair and maintenance of the enclosures and indoor holding pens


• maintenance of the surrounding areas.

On your first day at the centre you will receive an induction including how the centre works, information on the different types of bears and a full tour of the centre. You will be trained and supervised by the experienced animal keepers at the centre.

You will work closely with the keepers giving out the twice daily feeds and cleaning the enclosures. Other tasks do not directly involve the bears but benefit them greatly, such as developing new 'enrichments'. Enrichment is anything that makes the bears lives more interesting such as filling up hollow bamboo with honey or other treats, making frozen fruit ice lollies, rebuilding climbing frames, putting out dead trees etc.

Direct physical contact with the bears is not possible as these are large and wild animals, and potentially dangerous.

Volunteers work a five-day working week from 8am to 4pm.

Lifestyle
Volunteers live in a 5 bedroom house on the outskirts of Samranjouen village, roughly 10km away from the sanctuary. Rooms are shared between two (same sex) volunteers and a cleaner/cook is employed to look after the house and prepare dinner. There is also satellite internet in the house which volunteers can use.

There are a few restaurants serving local food in the village, plus a karaoke bar/restaurant for night-time drinks, food and entertainment (!).

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is about an hour away and a great place to visit at weekends. It is an exciting city, growing fast and becoming more geared up to tourism. There is lots to do and there are many bars and restaurants catering to different tastes.

It's very easy for anyone wishing to travel into Phnom Penh using local buses, and the project vehicle will also go into town each week if people wish to go and get supplies.

Cambodia itself is a beautiful country with breath takingscenery and warm, friendly, welcoming people. There are many places of interest including the world heritage site of Angkor Wat.

What's included

• A comprehensive information booklet


• Travel advice and assistance


• Pick up from Pnomh Penh airport on arrival


• Accommodation


• Induction and training


• Breakfast every day


• Dinner from Monday to Saturday


• Transport to the centre from Monday-Friday


• Support from the centre, with a British Director.

The benefit and requirements
By volunteering at the centre you will make a major contribution to the welfare of bears in Asia. Your time and efforts will help to care for the bears, and the majority of the programme cost will go direct to the centre providing a critical source of funding for their future work.

On a personal level you will have a unique opportunity to work alongside some incredible animals and gain the satisfaction of helping to make a difference to the lives of these animals.

No previous experience is required, you just need to be willing and enthusiastic and have a strong interest in conservation and wildlife. You will need to physically fit, able to tolerate high temperatures and humidity, work well within a team and be adaptable to living and working in a group. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old.

Dates and durations
The placement is for 1-6 weeks and can be extended. Start dates are throughout the year, every week on a Sunday.

Our users say

"Just to let you know I had the best time ever. It was great I really enjoyed myself. It's such a shame for the bears but thank god they have a centre like this one, everyone had great passion. It was brilliant." - Sylvia

0845 344 7535

POD (Personal Overseas Development - provides 1 week- 3 month volunteer opportunities for people to make a difference in countries rich in culture, variety and natural beauty - Cambodia, Belize, Malawi, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania and Thailand. PoD is a leading non-profit organisation that focuses on quality and safety rather than quantity.