Not only lions, turtles, penguins, rhinos and polar bears are in danger of becoming extinct. Instead, monkeys all over the world are facing the same risk. Climate change and global warming have certainly had an impact on the natural habitats of monkeys. Moreover, pollution and unregulated hunting and poaching are also an issue. The same goes for deforestation and the over exploitation of all kinds of natural resources. None of this is good for our furry friends. However, it gets even worse for monkeys. In many countries across the world, monkeys are used for laboratory testing and suffer a great deal. In other regions of this world, wild monkeys are caught in order to keep them as pets. As such,primate conservation projects all over the world are not just protecting the natural habitat of monkeys. Instead, primate conservation projects are also freeing monkeys from captivity and releasing them.

Given that the worldwide wild animal population has declined by more than 50 percent since 1974, you will come to understand why your time spent volunteering is so valuable. Monkeys all over the world rely on your efforts as a primate conservation volunteer abroad in order to be able to lead the life that they were meant to be living. In particular, many primate conservation efforts focus on saving the following monkeys:

• Orangutan
• Gorilla
• Lemur
• Gibbon
• Monkeys

What is great about being a volunteer in primate conservation is that you might even get the chance to get up close and personal with these monkeys. This is especially true if you are helping to save primates who have lost their mothers. However, even if you might not get to touch or play with a monkey, you will certainly get a chance to observe these stunningly beautiful animals in their natural habitats. That in itself can make your time as a primate conservation volunteer worthwhile. Once you become involved in primate conservation, you will begin to make memories that will last you a lifetime.

Before you decide to dedicate yourself toprimate conservation, you might like to think about where you want to volunteer. While you will mostly find monkeys in forests and rainforests, your primate conservation journey could potentially take you to several different countries. In particular, the following regions come to mind:

What kind of work you will be doing is going to depend on whether you work in primate release or at a primate sanctuary, for example. One thing that is for sure is that you are never going to get bored as a primate conservation volunteer abroad. After all, there is plenty of work to be done and your hands-on help is very much needed and appreciated. Typical tasks at a project might include caring for monkeys, office work, collecting signatures, making phone calls, fundraising as well as a number of other tasks. Depending on how much experience in the field you desire, you should choose the matching primate conservation project. If you find a primate conservation project that you are interested in, you can read about what a typical day consists of. This will give you an idea as to what to expect in the field. Keep in mind that you will need to be at least 18 years of age in order to complete some of the following activities as a primate conservation volunteer:

• GPS tracking
• Primate habitat assessment
• Lab work
• Behavioral observations of monkeys in the natural habitat
• Troop identification
• Feeding monkeys
• Caring for orphan baby monkeys

Becoming a primate conservation volunteer abroad is one remarkable way of making a difference. Not only will you be doing something worthwhile, primate conservation can also be really fun. You will get to experience what your work means for these monkeys first-hand. Moreover, getting up close and personal with wild primates is a wonderful experience in and of itself. Observing monkeys in their natural habitats is not something that a lot of people get to do. As such, you should be proud of your primate conservation work.

Since you will be required to perform different primate conservation task all the time, you are not going to get bored any time soon. Moreover, you can learn new skills and return home as a more well rounded person. Some people even say that their time as a primate conservation volunteer made them grow up - in the best way possible. Also consider that you will be working with others like you: a bunch of volunteers who are just as passionate about primate conservation as you are. While English is a must to communicate during your time abroad, you might even be able to learn a foreign language. In turn, the desire to refine your language skills for any one language might cause you to choose one primate conservation program versus another.

The friends that you make as a primate conservation volunteer will likely be friends for life. Sharing such as unique experience is something that you are going to really bond over with your fellow primate conservation volunteers. If you are considering a career in this field, starting out as a primate conservation volunteer will allow you to determine whether this is a job that you could really see yourself doing. Moreover, your time as a primate conservation volunteer might also impress your future employer as well as set you apart from other applicants for the same position.

No two people and no two primate conservation programs are alike. As such, your preferences are of the utmost importance when choosing a program. Since primate conservation can be rather taxing sometimes, it is important to pick a program that will keep you motivated. Also check to see what daily tasks you will be expected to perform. Moreover, you should ask yourself what region you would like to travel to. After all, your primate conservation efforts might take you to Africa, South America or many other places all over the world, for example. Try to pick a place that also interests you outside of your primate conservation work. This will simply make for a better experience. Also consider the best time of the year to volunteer. In addition, the following factors should be important in choosing the primate conservation program that is the perfect fit for you:

• Living costs
• Visa regulations
• Education requirements
• Program/ language requirements
• Cultural differences
• Required skills
• What's there to do outside of your primate conservation volunteer work?
• The kind of time commitment that is required

In preparing for your time as a primate conservation volunteer, you should definitely consider the following: