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For more on Wild@Heart and ApeMalaysia ...

 

Need To Know: * Introduction to the Programme * Project Site * Your Role * Code of Conduct * Work Ethics * Food & Drinks * Laundry * Things To Pack * Shopping Locally * The Gift of Knowledge * Emergency Numbers

 

Introduction to Programme

You will start your programme in the vibrant capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.  You will have time to explore the night life of KL, as it is fondly called, and then transfer the next day to the National Zoo. 

At the Zoo, you will be working with a variety of animals on husbandry and enrichment activities.  The aim of the programme is have you work with the Malaysian zookeepers to understand the conditions they work in.  As you work alongside them, you will be able to assist in improving conditions of the animals in captivity living at the zoo.  This programme will also allow you a chance to learn about the wide variety of Malaysian animals and the need of captive animals for enrichment.

Understand that the standards of zoos in Malaysia and much of Asia is not what you are used to at home.  Though a long process, a lot of effort is being made to improve conditions of captive animals to an internationally acceptable level.  You support is important in ensuring this change happens, however small the contribution.

While you work alongside the Zoo Keepers, you will have the opportunity to learn some Malay and teach them some English.  The low English levels are the main reason zookeepers refrain from communicating. 

You will have the weekends off, giving you plenty of time to explore colourful Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding areas.

 

Project Site

Project Site: Zoo Negara, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia’s National Zoo, better known as Zoo Negara, is based approximately 10km outside the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur.  Set up in 1958, Zoo Negara is managed by the Malaysian Zoological Society, and NGO established to set up Malaysia’s first zoo.

Situated on 110 acres of land, Zoo Negara has more than 5,400 individual animals making up more than 470 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.  The zoo’s long term objective is to develop into a world-class zoo and is in the midst of making changes to their systems and protocols.

By working alongside zookeepers and the management, we are able to assist in up scaling animal welfare, an area that is not yet of international standards in most zoos in Asia.  Through our support and encouragement, the zoo has made some positive modifications and will continue to improve in various aspects.

 

Your Role

Why Does This Project Need Volunteers?

Conservation work requires a lot of hard work, money, passion and determination. Throughout the course of this project you will be involved with conservation activities that help monitor orangutan, pygmy elephant and other wildlife numbers. This increases our knowledge of species numbers and potential conflicts which can then be tackled, helping the conservation cause.

Tourism also creates a financial incentive for the local community to protect their wildlife and habitat. By creating a tourist economy in the area we can help persuade the local decision-makers to change their policies and help protect endangered animals and environments (such as the orangutans).

 

What skills do you need on this placement ?
Volunteers should love animals, especially orangutans, and be willing to work hard. The work is physical and the temperature in Malaysia is high so volunteers should have a decent fitness level. All participants should be able to speak good English and be able to work as part of a team. Previous experience with animals or research knowledge is especially welcomed.

Where does my money go?
The cost of your trip covers three main areas;

1. administration and marketing
2. your accommodation, food and transportation, and the staffing of the volunteer activities
3. the orangutans

The administration and marketing are essential to the running of any project and ensures that you can find the project, you are well prepared for the trip, that you can have questions answered and the whole things works well.

Getting you safely to the project, ensuring you get fed, giving you a room at the project site and staffing the project is the other chunk of spending.  This makes your experience enjoyable and ensures you work most effectively when you are at the center.

The remainder funds the orangutans, and the other animals, at the center.  Your money helps to purchase materials, resources, medicines, food, pay for staff and any releases.  The project exists because of you.

Where does my donation go?

Donations are spent on:

1. Enrichment - food (food parcels and a wide variety of different interesting foods) and physical enrichment (like hammocks and rope swings)

2. Construction - on materials and tools for getting orangutans out of cages and maintaining existing outdoor enclosures (everything from spades, to cement, to wheelbarrows, to nuts and bolts)

3. Reforestation - helping to create more species diverse forest by planting primary rainforest species under the pioneer tree canopy ( such as dipterocarpaceae, fabaceae and malvaceae) in certain areas.  Also, we plant up species where we create destruction during the building process, such as recently when a digger dug out the island moats.

How do I go about booking my flights?
Please try to book your flights as far as possible in advance of your departure as flights become more expensive with time. We will provide you with some additional information in the 'Know Before You Go' pack that we send when we have received your deposit. If you have any difficulties feel free to contact our support team.

Do I need a mosquito net?
Volunteers sometimes leave behind their mosquito nets but we cannot guarantee availability so if in any doubt please bring your own.

Can I leave my old clothes behind?
If you are going to throw them away, please leave them with a project facilitator as old clothes are often appreciated by the local community

Code of Conduct

It cannot be overstated the attitude that you need to have for this project.

You are working among a community within the National Zoo and will move amongst a local community. The community expects you to make an effort to integrate with their way of life.  You need to be able to do the following:

- Remember that standards at the local zoo may not be what you are used to in your home country.  You are on this programme to support the project ensuring long term positive outcomes are implemented at the zoo.  This requires you to work alongside zoo keepers and be sensitive about what is said and done;

- Understand that the cultural and traditional beliefs as well as the economic and political situation in the country may play a much bigger role in the welfare of the zoo and captive animals than you realise;

- Recognise that animals are animals be they in the wild or captive bred.  They can be dangerous, poisonous and unpredictable. Do not attempt to interact with any animal without the presence of the zookeeper or facilitator;

- Take into account that even though rules and regulations govern behaviour during the programme and at the project site, unpleasant behaviour off project sites will also affect the programme due to the efficient grapevine within small communities;

 Work Ethics

Tardiness is not acceptable.  Your full commitment to the project and initiative will help the project maintain a good reputation within the village communities.  Your attitude towards cultural sensitivities will also play a major role in building this relationship.

Volunteers who do not turn up for work or refuse to participate in the daily work routine will be issued a warning, after which, they may be removed from the project without compensation.

Food & Drinks

~ Welcome dinner is included in Kuala Lumpur.  Please check with the reception at the dormitory for meeting time;

~ You will be given a meal allowance on orientation day at the zoo.  You will have the choice of cooking together with your fellow participants as a self-catering option; The food allowance is enough to cover local grocery items and occasional visits to the food stalls

~ Meals at local food stalls around the zoo are cheap and you can have a full meal for RM5 – RM12;

~ You will need money for bottled water and extras such as fruit juice or snacks throughout the programme;

~ Vegetarians can find vegetarian restaurants and eateries in towns or cities, but the range can be limited.  Vegetarian restaurants are not found in villages but home-cooked meals can be tailored for vegetarians if informed well in advance;

~ Dietary concerns, i.e. vegetarian, pescetarian, allergies etc., must be highlighted to ApeMalaysia at least 1 month prior to the programme as supplies are not readily available and the villagers will have to prepare well in advance to cater to special dietary needs;

~ Alcoholic drinks are STRICTLY NOT ALLOWED on project sites, in the village, at the zoo or at any volunteer accommodation throughout the programme, unless specifically mentioned.

Laundry

You will have the option to wash your own clothing in your bath or sink in your accommodation or pay to have your clothing laundered.  Please agree to a price before handing your clothes over for washing.

Things to Pack

Malaysia is a country with lots and lots of rain with an annual rainfall of way over 2500mm in many areas.  Humidity levels are extremely high at over 90%.  If the sun is out, your clothes will dry in no time, but on a cloudy day, wet clothes, shoes, towels take very much longer to dry.

Bring clothes that are light and dry easily. For the jungle, bring clothes in colours that blend with the environment so as not to scare the wildlife.  Heavy downpours in Malaysia are really buckets emptying themselves over you, so be prepared to get soaked to the skin when you least expect it!  Light material long sleeves and long pants are advisable for tree planting activity due to the weeds, undergrowths and insects that may be encountered, also as protection against very early morning cool weather in the jungles.

Bring several changes of clothes that you don’t mind getting really mucky and dirty in as habitat restoration work involves clearing of undergrowth and weeds, mulching and tree planting.  Other work at the school / in the community may involve painting, building or maintenance work. 

Taking into consideration community sensitivities, clothes that cover the shoulders & cleavage and longer than the knees are a must when working in the village.  The same is necessary when visiting local homes and schools.

This packing list is only a suggestion and by no means a complete or exhaustive list. 

Must Haves

~ Photocopies of important papers such as passport, airline tickets and insurance documents

~ Money in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)

~ Day bag / rucksack with waterproof cover or bring plastic bags

~ Waterproof bags to protect important items

~ T-shirts / shirts with sleeves

~ Long sleeve t-shirts / shirts / long pants

~ At least 1 set of light weight, fast drying clothes for the jungle

~ Good 100% waterproof raincoat / poncho

~ Hat / cap / head scarf for sun protection

~ Water bottle

~ Towel

~ Toiletries

~ Sun block lotion, sunscreen, after sun

~ Insect repellent (not citronella repellent, please invest in DEET)

~ Personal medication / medicines: Anti-histamines, basic first aid kit, diarrhoea medication, anti-inflammatory for ear, nose and throat problems, antibiotics, as recommended by your doctor

~ Flip-flops/sandals

~ Good walking shoes / boots and socks (flip flops and sandals are not allowed in the jungle or at work)

You might also want to bring......

Shopping Locally

Most items are available in Malaysia at comparative prices.  Make your purchases on arrival day in Sandakan if you arrive early.   You can get almost anything from the hundreds of little shops and large shopping malls dotted all around Kuala Lumpur but only limited items on Sandakan.  Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are abundant in Kuala Lumpur but may be more limited in Sandakan.

Shops in Sandakan carry limited items of western food and necessities.  Cash is the preferred mode of transaction in small shops and some do not accept credit cards.  Shops in the village carry extremely limited items and will only accept cash.

You can get the following items in Sandakan – not readily available in the village and certainly not in the jungle!

~ Washing detergent ~ Toiletries e.g. shampoo, shower gel, conditioners etc (same price as UK)~ Malaysian SIM cards and International phone cards ~ Cheap raincoats/ ponchos / umbrellas~ Cheap T-shirts and pants for working, covered shoes and flip-flops ~ Snacks – familiar ones such as Nestle, Cadbury and Hershey products, plus many kinds of locally produced crisps, biscuits and sweets~ Wellington boots!

The Gift of Knowledge

Participants may encounter and meet children in their daily lives living on site.  ApeMalaysia is working on the setting up of a library for rural schools and its community.  Good English / Malay books to stock their newly set up library would be welcomed.  The students are aged between six and twelve years old.  We would appreciate donations of any books suitable for primary school aged children.  Particularly useful would be story books and books about animals and wildlife! 

The school project involves interaction with children.  Participants are generous and their friends also support by contributing school supplies.  To prevent the children from expecting gifts, we recommend such items be carefully considered for project use and only selected items as prizes / incentives to encourage student participation.  Previous participants have left crayons, paints and coloured papers under the care of WOX, for use during the education session.  These supplies are used up very quickly and we encourage you to complement these to ensure long term positive outcomes for the education programme. 

Please communicate with us if you are unsure of what kind of books / stationery to bring.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Calling a Malaysian number from WITHIN Malaysia	Calling a Malaysian number from another country
03-7724 2272 Do not dial ‘03’ if calling from Kuala Lumpur or Selangor	+60-3-7724 2272
019-385 8272	+60-19-385 8272
019-2677 864	+60-19-2677 864
013-558 0111	+60-13-558 0111
019-899 4398	+60-19-899 4398