Gibbon Rehabilitation Volunteer
Hiring Organization:
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
Date Posted:
2007-09-28
Position Description:
The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP) was set up in 1992 by Mr Noppadol Preuksawan, the chief of the Royal Forest Department in Phuket at that time, Mr. Thavrn Sri-Oon, Bang Pae Sub-Station chief, the Asian Wildlife Fund and an American Zoologist called Terrance Dillon Morin. In 1994, the Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand (WAR) started to support the project; we are now a research division of WAR. The project aims to rehabilitate white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) back into their natural habitat and to repopulate the last remaining rainforest in Phuket-Khao Pra Theaw Non-Hunting Area (National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department). Furthermore we also aim to create awareness of the plight of captive gibbons and the importance of conservation for both tourists and local communities.
Volunteers work a 6-day week usually for 8 hours per day. The routine work is divided into 4 main tasks:
1. Quarantine and Rehabilitation Site: food preparation, feeding, cage maintenance, cleaning, enrichment and observations (behavioural, health check and vaginal check)
2. Reintroduction Site: forest feeding of released gibbons, mapping, trail maintenance and follow up observations and data collection.
3. Conservation Education and Fund-raising: volunteers will give informative talks to tourists and members of the public about gibbon rehabilitation and conservation and also sell merchandise.
4. Other: Volunteers may also be asked to help in other aspects of the projects work. This may include teaching English in the local primary school, leaflet drops around the beaches, help with exhibitions and normal office administration.
It should be noted that volunteers are not allowed to handle the gibbons. Physical contact is only allowed in the presence and under the supervision of Thai staff.
Qualifications/Experience:
Requirements for working at GRP:
1. You must be over 18 years of age and in good physical condition.
2. No specific experience is required but good teamwork skills
3. A basic knowledge of spoken English is essential.
4. You are required to have had all the relevant vaccinations for
Hepatitis A & B, Tuberculosis (TB), Diptheria, Rabies, Pertissus, Tetanus and Japanese Encephalitis before entering the project.
Salary/funding:
Please contact the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project for the current costs of volunteering.
Support
provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Accommodation at the project site during the contracted stay period and transportation to/from project locations and from/to bus terminal or airport is included in the cost. Payment also includes orientation and training during the first and second week, project t-shirts, a ride to the shopping area each week and supervision.
Term of Appointment:
Minimum 3 weeks
Application Deadline:
None. Volunteer positions are ongoing.
Comments:
This project may appeal to veterinarian or veterinarian students (final year) who want to gain experience with wildlife, especially gibbons.
Contact
Information:
May
Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, 104/3 M.3 Paklock, Thalang
Phuket 83110
Thailand
Telephone Number:
076 260491-2
Fax Number:
076 260491-2
Website:
http://www.gibbonproject.org
E-mail Address:
volunteer@warthai.org
Questions and Comments
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the Primate-Jobs web site can be directed to Ray Hamel, Special
Collections/Reference Librarian, at
hamel@primate.wisc.edu or (608) 263-3512.
