A turtle hatchling making its first journey to the open ocean. Lemurs chattering in the jungle canopies of Madagascar. Lions roaming the African savannah. A forest full of Asian elephants. These are only some of the thrilling sights you can hope to see – and study – if you join one of our wildlife conservation programs. 

What is wildlife conservation? 

All over the world, ecosystems are in trouble. From the Amazon rainforest to the tropical island coastlines of Seychelles and Fiji, from the jungles of Eastern Asia and the grasslands of Africa, habitats are shrinking or being destroyed, and the animal populations that live in them are vanishing alongside them. This is called biodiversity loss. 

Wildlife conservation works to protect and restore biodiversity, reverse habitat destruction and prevent species extinction. It is very important work. 

Why is wildlife conservation important?

Healthy ecosystems mean a healthy world.

Imagine if all the insects in the world vanished. We need insects to pollinate crops, which we eat. Without insects, we would lose a significant amount of our food. 

Or imagine if forests were destroyed. Forests regulate carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, which in turn regulate temperatures, which are already rising due to human-induced climate change. Without forests, the planet would get hotter, and we would experience unpredictable and extreme weather conditions, putting thousands of lives at risk. 

These might seem like scary examples, but they highlight why healthy ecosystems are so important. Every plant and animal in an ecosystem is needed to keep that ecosystem healthy. Humans are part of the natural world and we depend on healthy ecosystems to survive. Disrupted or destroyed ecosystems affect, amongst many other things, weather stability, water safety, food security and air quality. 

Wildlife conservation is what keeps our ecosystems healthy and balanced.

How can we conserve wildlife?

There’s no single or set way to do it. Wildlife conservation is vital work, and it’s full of variety, opportunity and adventure. 

At GVI, most of our work is done through volunteer conservation projects, including:

• Wildlife conservation volunteering
• Marine conservation volunteering
• Citizen science wildlife conservation volunteering 
• Animal care volunteering 

What is wildlife conservation volunteering? 

Wildlife conservation volunteering with GVI includes volunteering programs and internship programs, both of which give you a chance to get involved in conservation research, scientific project work and environmental education. 

If you join one of our programs, you will travel to some of the world’s most remote and biodiverse places and live and work directly in the natural habitats you are helping to preserve. 

What does a wildlife volunteer do?

The work you do will depend on where you are, what project you’re working on, and which species you are working with. In general, wildlife conservation volunteers do a variety of the following:

• Species monitoring 
• Species census 
• Collect and record data 
• Camera trapping
• Habitat restoration
• Environmental education 
• Field guide training 
• Community outreach 
• Social awareness

How do I become a wildlife conservation volunteer?

Just like there’s no single way to contribute to wildlife conservation, there are many routes to becoming a wildlife conservation or animal conservation volunteer. 

GVI has a wide variety of programs in locations all over the world where we work on the conservation of all kinds of habitats and species. 

Each of these programs promises a uniquely fulfilling, thrilling and impactful experience. You can apply here. 

Read this article to find out why wildlife volunteering is an excellent way to make an impact abroad: Why animal conservation may be the best way to volunteer abroad.

What are the three methods of wildlife conservation?

There are three main methods of wildlife conservation:

In-situ wildlife conservation

This method involves the protection and management of wildlife and their natural habitats. This can include the establishment of protected areas such as national parks and wildlife reserves, as well as the implementation of sustainable land-use practices and community-based conservation initiatives. 

Can I work on in-situ wildlife conservation programs with GVI?

Yes! This is the majority of our work. Scroll down for more information.

Advocacy and policy interventions

This method involves the development and implementation of policies and regulations to protect wildlife and their habitats, as well as public education and awareness-raising campaigns to promote conservation and sustainable resource use. This method is often used to address broader environmental issues such as climate change, pollution and habitat loss that threaten wildlife populations.

Can I work on advocacy and policy wildlife conservation programs with GVI?

Yes! A lot of our work is with community-led organisations focused on advocacy and education. Find out more about community-based wildlife conservation volunteering with GVI. 

Ex-situ conservation

This method involves the conservation of wildlife outside their natural habitats, usually in captivity or under controlled conditions such as breeding programs, gene banks and botanical gardens. This method is often used to protect endangered species that are at risk of extinction or facing threats in their natural habitats.

Can I work on ex-situ wildlife conservation programs with GVI?

Unfortunately not. Our work is on location and in the field, working directly with target species. Find out more about our practical wildlife conservation work with endangered species.

Where can I get involved in wildlife volunteering?

Whether you’re set on seeing the Big Five in the African savannah, monitoring rare and unique species in Madagascar, diving with marine megafauna in the waters of the Atlantic or Indian Oceans, or keen to clamber through the rainforests of Central America, there’s no shortage of beautiful and thrilling top travel destinations where you can volunteer with wildlife.

Wildlife conservation volunteering in Africa

In Africa, you have the chance to volunteer on wildlife conservation programs in three countries: 

• South Africa
• Madagascar
• Seychelles

Wildlife conservation volunteering with South Africa’s Big Five

Travel to the Greater Kruger National Park region in Limpopo, South Africa, and work towards the conservation of African animals – including the famous Big Five. 

The following volunteer wildlife conservation programs are available:

• Big cat conservation research
• Cheetah conservation and research
• Elephant, rhino and buffalo research
• Rhino poaching awareness

Read more: Grow your conservation skills with a wildlife project in South Africa

Wildlife conservation volunteering in Madagascar

In Madagascar, GVI is actively involved in a number of conservation initiatives, including the protection of endangered lemurs and their forest habitats. 

We conduct research on the behaviour and ecology of lemurs and other wildlife, and collaborate with national park authorities to monitor and protect protected areas. 

We work closely with local communities to promote sustainable farming practices and alternative livelihoods that reduce pressure on the forests. 

Wildlife and island conservation volunteering in Seychelles 

On  Mahe Island in Seychelles, we work towards island and coastal conservation. Mahe is home to many important ecosystems. Our wildlife conservation work includes: 

• Marine megafauna species monitoring
• Climate change and coral reef research and recovery
• Island biodiversity citizen science conservation 

Wildlife and conservation volunteering in Latin America 

In Latin America, our wildlife conservation programs take you to the lush and remote rainforests of Costa Rica. 

Wildlife and rainforest conservation volunteering in Costa Rica

When you join a conservation volunteer program you’ll live and work in Kekoldi, an indigenous reserve in the heart of the tropical rainforests that spread across Costa Rica’s eastern mountain ranges. Since Costa Rica has such a variety of terrains,