Free the Bears - 'Keeper for a Day'

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre (PTWRC) currently houses over 85 bears in 16 large outdoor enclosures covering 5 – 6 hectares. Volunteers will be working with groups of rescued Sun bears and Asiatic Black bears. The enclosures are natural and have large rocky outcrops, native fauna, climbing frames and platforms, pools and other enrichments. It is a safe and happy home to bears that have been rescued from a range of different situations including poachers, the black market, the bile farm industry and businesses using them for entertainment, trades which often leave behind very young orphaned cubs.

There will be tasks that will not involve direct contact with the bears, but will benefit them greatly. These include building new enrichments, repairing and maintaining their enclosures and maintenance of the area surrounding the enclosures. You will also get to work with the keepers giving out the daily feeds and cleaning the enclosures (the bears will be brought in to holding cages whilst you are in the enclosure). Obviously, direct physical contact is not possible as these are large wild animals and can potentially be dangerous.

You will have a unique, once in a lifetime chance to get behind the scenes of this world class bear rescue facility. Your time and your financial contribution will provide critical aid enabling Free the Bears Fund Inc. to rescue more bears and continue to improve and enrich their lives.

On a personal level you will have an amazing opportunity to work alongside these incredible animals and gain the satisfaction of helping to make a difference to their lives.