We run a multi species wildlife centre in the hotspot for illegal wildlife trade in South-east Asia. Here we give the best care to wildlife that can be released back into the wild with our many Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release programs. Those who unfortunately are not suited to be released, will take refuge here at our Wildlife Sanctuary. Where will we give lifelong care in specially designed enclosures to replicate their natural lives.
We work with authorities in Laos to co-investigate into, rescue and take in donated wildlife into our centre. We have rescued many species from the illegal trade and have rehabilitated and released all suitable candidates. Thousands of illegally traded animals are moved through Lao PDR every day, we aim to help as many as we can.
We are part of species specific breed and release programs in collaboration with global conservation projects. LWRC is refuge for many key species which are Endangered and Critically Endangered in the wild.
Volunteering
There are over 500 animals at the Lao Wildlife Rescue Center and the Lao Zoo including many species of Macaques, Gibbons, Bears, Slow Loris, Birds, Crocodiles, Deer, Turtles, Tortoises, Civets, as well as Elephants, Binturongs, Leopard Cats, Leopards and many more. Your main focus as a volunteer is to improve animal welfare and help build up our Wildlife Rescue Centre so we can keep up with the ever increasing number of animals in need of rescue from the illegal wildlife trade. This is a huge and challenging task, we need your help to make this happen!
Currently the main daily tasks at the LWRC include creating nutritious animal diets, working with animal care staff with day to day animal routines, assistance at the Wildlife Hospital and quarantine centre and upgrading facilities at the Lao Zoo. One of our main priorities is animal enrichment, we are constantly renovating old enclosures to provide more natural and stimulating environments for our animals, as well as building new enclosures and providing a daily enrichment schedule.
The centre would not be able to run without the hard work of the volunteers and the generosity of those who provide financial support in the way of donations. The financial contribution you make as a volunteer pays for your food and accommodation, with the rest going directly towards animal care. Short and long-term volunteering is possible; the minimum stay is one week. To volunteer with us, you must be able to speak a good level of English and have a good work ethic. No previous animal care experience is needed, but a sense of humour helps and you and you need to be able to work as a team.
As the Laos Wildlife Rescue Centre is about 60 kilometers north of the capital Vientiane, we arrange transportation from the capital to our project.
