Wildlife SOS Elephant & Bear Conservation Volunteer Program for School Groups
by Wildlife SOS
Hands-on Wildlife Conservation Experience
Residential volunteer program for school and youth groups supporting elephant and sloth bear rescue and care at Wildlife SOS centres in Agra and Mathura.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
₹25,000
Participation format
Individual
Duration
5 days and 6 nights (shorter 2 to 3 night stays can be arranged)
Time needed
5 working days and 6 nights
Eligibility
Open to teenage volunteers aged 14 to 17 joining as part of a supervised school, college or club group (children under 14 are directed to a guardian-accompanied day visit instead). No prior wildlife experience required; reasonable physical fitness needed for outdoor work in heat and humidity. Open nationwide and to international applicants; entry is by group booking, not individual application.
- Age range
- 14 to 17 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
See if your child qualifies.
Benefits
- Hands-on experience supporting elephant and sloth bear rescue and care
- Guided tour of the elephant hospital and veterinary facilities
- Conservation education from Wildlife SOS keepers and coordinators
- Practical exposure to wildlife rehabilitation work at a globally recognised NGO
- Accommodation, meals and local transport included in the program fee
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Enrollment
- Open all year
How to apply
- 1Submit the online volunteer enquiry form with group leader and participant details
- 2Wildlife SOS confirms available dates and discusses health and dietary requirements
- 3Pay the required deposit and complete registration
- 4Arrive at the rescue centre for Day 1 orientation before starting volunteer duties
Rules and guidelines
- Direct physical contact with the animals is not permitted
- Volunteers must not explore the surrounding area alone
- Adequate adult supervision must accompany teenage school, college or club groups throughout the stay
- Travel and health insurance covering volunteering activities is required before arrival
Fees and financial support
Fee details
The standard individual rate for a 5-day, 6-night stay is 25,000 INR for Indian nationals (about 600 USD or 490 GBP for international volunteers), covering lodging, three daily home-cooked vegetarian food, local transport between the volunteer house and rescue centres, and orientation. Group and school or youth-group rates for this teen track are arranged directly with Wildlife SOS and are not published online. A 25 percent deposit secures the booking, with the balance due before arrival.
About this opportunity
Wildlife SOS runs a residential conservation volunteer program at its elephant and sloth bear rescue centres in Agra and Mathura, open to school, college and club groups of teenage volunteers with adequate adult supervision.
Volunteers spend five days and six nights supporting the daily care of rescued elephants and bears, working alongside keepers and veterinary staff. Activities include preparing food, building enrichment items such as hammocks and fodder balls, maintaining enclosures and gardens, and touring the elephant hospital.
Direct physical contact with the animals is not part of the program, and only trained keepers handle the rescued wildlife. No prior conservation experience is required, though participants should be reasonably fit for outdoor work in heat and humidity.
Groups stay in a gated volunteer house with home-cooked vegetarian meals and daily transport to the rescue centres. The program is run by Wildlife SOS, one of India's largest wildlife rescue organisations, which has operated rescue centres across the country since 1995.
What your child will do
- Preparing and distributing food for rescued elephants and sloth bears
- Building enrichment items such as hammocks, honey logs and fodder balls
- Assisting with enclosure cleaning and habitat maintenance
- Guided tour of the elephant hospital and veterinary care facilities
- Conservation education sessions with Wildlife SOS keepers and coordinators
Mentors and faculty
Wildlife SOS rescue centre keepers, veterinary staff and volunteer coordinators
Academic details
Difficulty: Beginner
What's covered
Practical exposure to elephant and sloth bear rescue, rehabilitation and daily care work, combined with conservation education from rescue centre keepers and veterinary staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of adult supervision do school and youth groups need during the program?
Wildlife SOS requires an adequate number of accompanying adults to supervise the group throughout the five-day stay, since participants engage in physically demanding outdoor work near rescued elephants and sloth bears.
Do participants get to interact directly with the rescued elephants and bears?
Direct physical contact with the animals is not part of the program. Only trained Wildlife SOS keepers handle and interact with the rescued elephants and sloth bears, for the safety of both participants and animals.
What should groups prepare before arriving at the rescue centres?
Groups should arrange travel and health insurance covering volunteering activities, prepare for physically demanding work in heat and humidity, and confirm dietary requirements with the Wildlife SOS team in advance.
What do participants take away from completing the program?
Participants gain hands-on exposure to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation work, a guided tour of the elephant hospital, and conservation education from Wildlife SOS keepers and veterinary staff.
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