First Days
You will need to arrive at Kuching Airport on the start date of your program between the hours of 7am and 5pm, where you will be met by a program representative in the arrivals hall and transferred to your first night's accommodation. On the first night there is a welcome dinner, where you will meet all of your fellow volunteers and the program facilitators. After breakfast the following morning, you and the rest of your group will take a private transfer to the Matang Wildlife Centre. Here, after settling in, you will meet the project staff and take a full tour of the centre.
Regular Days
Work varies on a day to day basis, as well as depending on the season and on how many volunteers are on site. However, typical tasks include the following:
Enrichment:
A major part of this program is creating enrichment. This is the process of providing the animals with stimulating environments, items and surroundings designed to encourage and promote their natural behaviours. This will enhance their potential for release, as well as improve their quality of life while they still reside at the centre.
Husbandry:
Another big part of the work on this program is husbandry for the orangutans, sun bears, macaques, binturongs and other animals. This includes feeding the animals as well as cleaning the wildlife cages and enclosures; an essential part of any wildlife centre.
Construction:
Small construction tasks can also be part of this program as without such work, the centre would struggle to grow. Thanks to previous construction efforts, the centre has been able to accept more animals in the hopes of being able to rehabilitate and release as many as possible. In the past, volunteers have been involved with the building of aviaries, gibbon cages, feeding platforms in the forest, boardwalks around the park, and ranger stations in the national park.
Maintenance:
Due to the humid rainforest environment and a range of animal interaction, the maintenance of buildings and structures is an on-going task. You may be needed to help with painting, cleaning, varnishing and gardening, among other elements of maintenance - there is always work to be done!
Last Days
On the penultimate day of the program, you will enjoy a farewell BBQ at the sanctuary, before transferring back to the guest house in Kuching for your final night’s stay. Depending on your departure flight time the following day, you may have time for a lie-in or even to see Kuching one last time before you arrange your own transfer back to the airport or continue on with your travels.
