WILDLIFE RESCUE INTERNSHIP

Maximum Intake

4 interns

Minimum Age

18 years old

Accommodation

Dormitory-style with private partitioned areas

Nearest Airport

Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK)

Meals

Three meals per day included

Transportation

Airport transfers available for a fee

Get hands-on experience rehabilitating and releasing endangered wildlife

In the foothills of West Java, some of the world’s most vulnerable animals are fighting to survive. 

Rescued from the illegal pet trade, gibbons, orangutans, sun bears, and hundreds of other species arrive at the Java Wildlife Centre in need of expert care and hopefully a second chance at life in the wild. 

As an intern, you’ll be on the ground doing the work that matters: improving animal welfare, designing enrichment, and contributing directly to the rehabilitation of endangered species

Duties & Responsibilities

 

The work at the centre is focused on animal husbandry and welfare, you will be providing daily care for rescued animals while assessing their readiness for release back into the wild. No two days are identical, but all of them are hands-on. You might spend a morning cleaning and restoring enclosures, an afternoon preparing food for a sun bear, and an evening observing nocturnal animals for signs of stress or poor health.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Animal care — assisting keepers with daily feeding, watering, and welfare checks across species including gibbons, orangutans, macaques, and sun bears
  • Enclosure maintenance — cleaning, disinfecting, and repairing animal environments to maintain high welfare standards
  • Food preparation — preparing and distributing food including pellets, meat, and live prey according to each species’ dietary needs
  • Enrichment design — creating and implementing enrichment activities to support animal wellbeing and rehabilitation
  • Record keeping — documenting behaviour, diet, births, and deaths to support ongoing welfare assessments
  • Farm work — assisting with the centre’s organic farm, which supports the food supply for resident animals
  • Conservation outreach — supporting education activities for visiting local children and international schools

Dates & Prices

This internship runs year-round with a minimum stay of 4 weeks, extendable up to 12 weeks.

4 weeks — USD$1000 8 weeks — USD$1700 . 12 weeks — USD$2700

Includes

  • Dormitory accommodation with private partitioned areas
  • Bedding and locker storage
  • Three cooked meals a day (dietary requirements catered for)
  • Laundry service and daily cleaning
  • On-site mentoring and academic supervision
  • Certificate of completion and professional reference

 

Not included:

  • Flights
  • Personal travel insurance (essential)
  • Airport transfers 
  • Visa costs
  • Additional snacks or drinks

Academic Credits & learning Outcomes

This internship offers deep, practical experience working with endangered species in an active rescue and rehabilitation setting.

By the end of your placement you’ll have gained experience in:

  • Animal husbandry — daily care and welfare management across a wide range of species
  • Rehabilitation assessment — contributing to decisions about release candidacy through behavioural observation
  • Enrichment design — creating species-appropriate activities to support animal wellbeing
  • Data collection and record keeping — maintaining accurate welfare records in a professional setting
  • Species identification — building knowledge of Javan wildlife including primates, birds, and reptiles
  • Conservation outreach — communicating conservation issues to local and international audiences
  • Cross-cultural working — collaborating with local teams and building a professional network in the field

 

On successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate and a professional reference to support your CV and LinkedIn profile.

Please note: publishing research data from the centre requires government approval, and interns should factor this into any academic research plans.

Requirements & Qualifications

This internship is best suited to graduates or students with a background in animal science, biology, ecology, or conservation, though applicants with relevant experience at an animal rescue centre are equally welcome..

You’ll need:

  • A relevant degree or equivalent experience in animal care, biology, or a related field
  • English fluency — strong written and verbal communication is essential
  • Computer proficiency — comfortable working in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Strong observational skills — accurate record-keeping is central to the role
  • A medium or high level of physical fitness — the work involves significant manual labour in a tropical environment
  • Patience, flexibility, and a genuine passion for animal welfare

 

Undergraduates are welcome and can receive academic supervision and mentoring as part of their placement.

About This Project

The centre sits in a small rural village near the town of Sukabumi, 800 metres above sea level in the lush rainforests of West Java, 

The local area is famous for its six natural waterfalls, and has plenty to offer on your days off. You can swim beneath waterfalls, explore a 1,500 metre cave system, tour the local tea plantations, or take a trip to the historic cities of Bogor and Bandung. Cooking lessons in traditional Javan cuisine are also available for those who want to make the most of the local culture.

Accommodation is dormitory-style with private partitioned areas, shared toilet and shower facilities, and lockers for valuables. Bedding and laundry baskets are provided, just bring your own towel, toiletries, and a sturdy pair of shoes. Laundry service and daily cleaning of the facilities are included in your fee.

Three cooked meals are provided daily, drawing on local Javan cuisine. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets can all be accommodated for with advance notice.

Map

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FAQ

Do I need prior experience working with animals?
A relevant degree or experience at an animal rescue centre is recommended. Undergraduate students with limited clinical experience are welcome but will typically focus on foundational support roles. What matters most is a genuine passion for animal welfare and the physical fitness to handle demanding manual work.
On-site mentoring and supervision for academic credit is available. Please note that publishing research data externally requires complex government approval, which can be a lengthy process. We recommend discussing your university’s specific requirements with us before applying.
COVID-19, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis (TB) vaccinations are required before your placement begins. Please ensure you have proof of a BCG vaccination or a recent negative TB test result. We recommend consulting your GP or a travel health clinic well in advance.
Yes. Stays commonly range between four and twelve weeks, and longer placements can be arranged. Additional weeks are charged at the standard weekly rate. Get in touch to discuss your preferred duration.