Ethical Volunteering to Support Orangutan Conservation

Please note that ethical volunteer work does not include direct contact with orangutans. Any facility allowing visitors or volunteers to hold or closely interact with orangutans is not following IUCN guidelines and is not acting in the animals’ best interests.

Appropriate volunteer roles are designed to support conservation work while always prioritizing the health, safety, and welfare of orangutans. Activities may include building or maintaining enclosures, preparing enrichment, or assisting with support tasks that benefit orangutan care and conservation.

Other Field Opportunities

Field Courses with the Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF): If you are an early career conservationist and wish to learn more about applied conservation in a rainforest classroom, we encourage you to join our partner, BNF, on one of their 3-week summer field courses.

Professional Volunteering with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF): If you are a professional veterinarian, animal care technician, or behavioral researcher and are interested in donating your time and expertise, our partner the BOS Foundation accepts a limited number of post-release monitoring, veterinary, and sun bear husbandry volunteers for extended periods of time.

Vacation with Purpose at the Orangutan Haven in Sumatra or Samboja Lodge in Borneo.

Each of these orangutan sanctuaries, run by Orangutan Outreach partners, the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme and the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, respectively, offer guided day tours of the orangutan sanctuary facilities. They are opportunities to see and learn about orangutan conservation while also supporting their critical activities.