Laos Wildlife sanctuary volunteering vacation

Planet

The Laos Wildlife Sanctuary aims to reduce the huge number of animals smuggled in and out of the country each day. By rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing animals back into the wild the sanctuary hopes to aid wildlife conservation by saving endangered animals and by changing perceptions on the illegal wildlife trade. The sanctuary is located on an old zoo grounds and has taken the animals into their care. They have changed the lives of these animals by building new enclosures that replicate their natural surroundings and providing enrichment that stimulates them and keeps them happy and healthy.

The sanctuary is committed to providing the best lives possible for all the animals in its care and has a strict hands-off policy to ensure the animals are not familiar with human interaction to give them the best possible chance of release.

The sanctuary are very keen on recycling and if you buy beers from the local shop they encourage you to give the bottles back as the shopkeepers will receive money for them.

People

The sanctuary is currently developing its old zoo grounds into a wildlife rescue and education center that will teach the local communities about the importance of wildlife conservation. The old zoo (the only zoo in Laos) where the sanctuary is located, unfortunately, had gone for many years without the expertise needed to properly take care of its animal residents. When the sanctuary was implemented they completed changed the lives of the animals by providing nutritious diets, stimulating environments and fun enrichment. Now, Laos has a pillar of hope against wildlife trafficking and the local communities have something they can proudly stand behind.

The staff at the Laos Wildlife Sanctuary are employed from the local community and have had their eyes opened to the horrors of the illegal wildlife trade. By working at the sanctuary they are able to provide for their families and also teach the volunteers about their culture and vice versa - building bonds between all cultures.