Volunteer at a Wildlife Rescue Centre

Volunteer to help save the wildlife of Asia. The Indonesian Wildlife Rescue Centre is located in exotic Sulawesi Island. The project is a rescue, rehabilitation and release centre for animals saved from the illegal wildlife trade. Sulawesi Island remains the jumping off point for illegal shipments of animals for the exotic pet and 'medicinal' markets in Asia as well as having a thriving local bush meat industry.

Sulawesi being the closest Indonesian island to the Philippines is being used as a consolidation point for illegal shipments of wildlife and wildlife products from Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the islands in the Eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago, especially Papua.

Orangutans, Malaysian Sun Bears, Gibbons, Tarsiers, Lorises, and Pangolins are some of the most endangered mammals smuggled out of the country. However, Cockatoos, Hornbills, birds of paradise as well as turtles and other reptiles are being smuggled out in even larger quantities.

Without a sustainable rescue facility the authorities are not able to enforce, raid and confiscate live animals as there are few existing transition centres. Many animals arrive in a stressed and neglected state and need a period of rehabilitation and veterinary care to bring them back to health. Unfortunately some are permanently disabled, stressed or domesticated and will never recover sufficiently to live in the wild.

In addition, many of the animals rescued in Sulawesi are not native to the island and cannot safely be released to an unfamiliar habitat or impose upon local ecosystems. The Indonesia Wildlife Rescue Centre endeavours to preserve these animals's dignity by creating habitats where captive animals may thrive. It is hoped that these animals may enjoy the best quality of life possible in captivity.

Orangutans
Two Orangutans, Is and Bentu, were seized from smugglers by local authorities with the assistance of the project staff some four years ago. They are Bornean Orangutans intercepted on their way to the Philippines where it is thought they were destined to be exotic pets. Orangutan release programs in Borneo are already overwhelmed and there would have been nowhere else for these animals to go other than into the care of the centre.

'Is' is thought to be have been just one year old when rescued and was hand reared. Now five years old 'Is' remains one of the major personalities of the project.
'Bentu' is about seven but with his slow upright walks around the enclosure he would have you believe he is an old man. The Orangutan keepers are currently engaged in building the animals' trust until such time as they will be taken out on a daily basis into the local mangroves.

Javan Leopard - Spotty
The Javan Leopard is a beautiful small Leopard which is highly endangered. There are thought to be less than 250 mature individuals left in the wild. This Leopard came to the centre after being confiscated as a result of a raid on a smuggling operation. One of the biggest priorities of the centre is for a suitable enclosure to increase the quality of life available to Spotty.

Sun Bears - Sunny and Beary
The Malaysian sun bear is the smallest known bear rarely weighing more than an adult man. Habitat loss combined with the bear's popularity in the tourism and entertainment industry threatens the future of these amazing creatures. Beliefs in some Asian countries that bears organs promote strength and virility have led to disgusting practices such as bear bile farms. Sunny and Beary came to the centre as cubs unable to look after themselves. Their large claws make them accomplished climbers and they are often seen trying to scale the fences of their enclosure!

There are many endangered species at the centre, including many rare birds, primates and other wildlife. Among the mammals undergoing care at the centre are Orangutans, gibbons, macaques and one of the most critically endangered leopards in the world, the Javan leopard along with sun bears, rusa deer and the fascinating babirusa. Over 40 macaques are in residence at the centre, including the charismatic Sulawesi Macaque, which is endemic to Sulawesi.

All 5 species including the Crested Black Macaque, (Macaca nigra), can be found and are currently all undergoing rehabilitation to form natural groups as they would in the wild. There are many birds which include the prehistoric Cassowary, extremely rare Pesquet's Parrot along with an assortment of exotic pigeons, birds of prey, cockatoos and several species of parrot. There are also an assortment of reptiles which include various species of turtle and crocodiles. A rehabilitation and release program for native species is also under operation.