Overview
Volunteer to conserve the Orangutans in Sumatra

Joining this unique and fascinating project will take you to investigate the way that orangutans in the Sumatran jungle self-medicate in order to treat illness and combat parasites. As part of a 13-day team on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, volunteers receive the scientific training required to enable you to partake in data collection / entry, observation and to be able to trek into the jungle in search of these fascinating apes.

As well as being a part of this potentially vital wildlife research and conservation effort, you will have the opportunity to experience several different Sumatran ecosystems, which range from vast mountains to lowland rainforest. These ecosystems are home to many interesting species, such as the giant flying squirrel and the Sumatran elephant, as well as the majestic orangutans.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

You could not fail to enjoy this unique opportunity to get involved with the research centre, local community and stunning natural surroundings

Louise Drew, 2008 volunteer

What Difference Does This Project Make?

This Project, the first of its kind for orang-utans, investigates which special behaviours and ecological conditions are necessary to maintain health in wild orang-utans. It is the only ongoing, long-term research project studying orang-utan health anywhere in the world. This understanding will help rehabilitation programs teach orang-utans how to keep themselves healthy, so they are more likely to survive in the wild after reintroduction.

Highlights

Learning about Indonesian Orang-utans, studying these fascinating creatures in the wild, trekking and camping out in the forest, mixing with international volunteers and working alongside passionate conservationists.

Location

The Indonesian island of Sumatra is tropical to the core, being a fascinating mix of rainforest, mangroves, Amazon-like rivers and flamboyant flora and fauna. The project itself is based near the Gunung Leuser National Park, one of the largest national parks in Indonesia. Here you will experience several ecosystems ranging from vast mountains to lowland rainforest, that are the home to species such as giant flying squirrel, Sumatran elephant and dancing lemur, as well as the orang-utan.

Field Conditions

Resting accommodation in the rice-fields will be basic, but clean, with limited amenities and no hot water. You will live extremely close to nature and need to be at home sharing your living quarters with a variety of small critters and probably another volunteer! Toilets will be traditional Asian ‘holes in the ground’. When trekking, we will be camping in the jungle for up to five nights at a time with only a tarpaulin and thin foam mat separating you from the forest floor.