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Gibbon Conservation California
This project provides you with the unique opportunity to work with the endangered gibbons housed at this Southern California rescue centre. The Gibbon Conservation project is ideal for volunteers who are able to work independently.
Project Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health
The Volunteer Programme
The centre provides a safe haven for all gibbon species, as a complement to protecting them in the wild. The centre educates the public, assists zoos and rescue centres in better captive management, encourages non-invasive behavioural studies, and supports ongoing field conservation projects.
The project was founded in 1976 and is the only facility in the world devoted exclusively to the study, preservation and propagation of gibbons, and to educate the public about them. Since gibbons are monogamous primates, the centre houses them in naturally occurring small family groups to enable the species to reproduce successfully in captivity.
The second largest group of gibbons outside their countries of origin exists here, including 6 of the 13 existing species. The comfort and well being of these primates is the primary concern. The gibbons are housed in spacious outdoor enclosures, ranging from 30 to 40 feet in length and from 12 to 20 feet in height. Volunteers may help educate through lecture tours directed at elementary to college age students (especially Anthropology and Biology students.)
The three types of volunteer work you may be involved with onsite are Primate Keeper, Centre Assistant and Clerical Assistant.
You will be involved daily in preparing gibbon food, feeding the gibbons and cleaning the enclosures and other facilities. This requires a full day of work (usually from 7am-5pm).
You may also be involved in behavioural observations, medicating gibbons, research, filing, fundraising and maintenance of grounds and enclosures. Volunteering as a primate keeper will take a lot of hard, but rewarding work.
Volunteers must be self-motivated and have a love for animals. You also must be able to work alone as you may need to carry out your duties independently from time to time.
Project Support
Throughout your stay in California you will have the support and guidance of the staff onsite. They will provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions, or advice you may need during your stay.
Before you depart, we will provide you with a contact number for onsite staff and a 24-hour emergency contact number, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you have an emergency.
Project Orientation
Volunteers will get intensive, hands on, one-on-one training by an experienced volunteer for the first several days after you arrive. You will follow the trainer on feeding rounds to learn how things are done at the volunteer centre. You will also be given a full information pack about procedures used at the centre. Gradually you will begin caring for the gibbons independently. You will eventually be responsible for feeding, water changing, cleaning enclosures, etc.
Visa
You will simply need a tourist visa to volunteer. You will be given a 90-day tourist visa when you enter the USA.
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