1. Where is the project based?
The Endangered Primate Rescue Centre (EPRC), located at Cuc Phuong National Park, southwest of Hanoi, Vietnam (130 km from Hanoi Old Quarter).
2. What does the project do?
Cuc Phuong Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation, breeding, research, and conservation of endangered primates, and to the protection of their habitats. It was established in 1993, and is managed by the Frankfurt Zoological Society under the Vietnam Primate Conservation Program.
The overall goal of the EPRC is the establishment of stable populations of highly endangered primate species in captivity as a source for reintroduction programs.
The EPRC is home to about 150 primates in 15 taxa (species and subspecies), - many of which are critically endangered - including six species which are kept only at the EPRC and in no other facility in the world.
All of the animals at the EPRC, except for those bred in captivity, are victims of poaching and the illegal animal trade. Nine primate species have bred at the centre and a total of more than 100 infants have been born, some of them being the first ever of their species to be born in captivity.
The primates are kept in more than 50 large enclosures and in two electrically fenced semi-wild areas of primary forest which are 2 ha and 5 ha. These semi-wild enclosures are the first steps towards its ambitious goal of reintroducing the primates to their natural habitat Langurs and gibbons have been released into these areas and have been successfully maintained there for several years. The centre employs 20 Vietnamese people as animal keepers.
To support the reintroduction of highly endangered species, the EPRC also works to preserve and protect their natural habitats. They have worked closely with the Management Board of Van Long Nature Reserve, located close by, to successfully prepare the reserve for the successful reintroduction of the Delacour’s langur. Other successful reintroduction programs have taken place or are planned.
Under the “Vietnam Primate Conservation Programme” the EPRC has conducted numerous field surveys to gather information about status, distribution and threats of Vietnamese primates as an important source of information for further conservation activities.
3. Why does it need volunteers?
Volunteers at EPRC play a very important role and we welcome your involvement and commitment to a just cause. If you are interested in helping save Vietnam’s unique primates, enjoy working outdoors, and are enthusiastic and dependable, you may be what EPRC is looking for.
As a volunteer at EPRC you will dedicate your time to assisting our permanent staff in providing clean, safe, natural environments for our rescued primates. You will be involved in many different activities and will learn a lot about endangered Vietnamese primates and the work carried out by the Rescue Centre.
Why Be An EPRC Volunteer
A lot of people who decide to participate in the volunteer program are doing it to:
v gain an insight into endangered Vietnamese primates.
v find out what it’s like to be a wildlife keeper.
v experience a different field of work from what they are used to.
v have a unique travel experience while at the same time making a difference
v Most importantly help EPRC fight against the illegal wildlife trade.
4. What is the project like? – Activities and schedule
This project suitable for FITs only
Volunteer Duties: As a volunteer at the EPRC, the work you will be doing varies all the time and there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ day. However, everyday jobs will be to assist the animal attendants to prepare food for and feed the animals, and clean their enclosures. Longer term volunteers will be trained to undertake these duties independently. There will also be a variety of ancillary jobs, such as cleaning food bowls, equipment and the food preparation area. A taro system is followed for these jobs so that everyone does their fair share. In addition to this you may have opportunities to be involved with, among other things, repairing or construction of cages, working on cage enrichments, giving tours to visitors, keeping the Centre’s grounds clean and administration,
The types and variety of duties will depend largely on the duration of stay of each volunteer and number and skills of volunteers participating. Some of the work is seasonal and dependent upon available resources on-site at the time.
Working With The Animals
You will be working with several species of primates through your everyday activities. However, in the vast majority of cases direct physical contact with the animals is unnecessary and discouraged and we do adhere to a ‘no petting’ policy. Due to our goal is to rescue animals from their lives (as pets) and as far as possible allow them to live as (wild) animals once again. We are a rescue centre, not a petting zoo. Also for safety reasons we must remember that wild animals are by nature prone to unpredictable and sometimes aggressive behavior. However, certain individuals such as those that are very young and those that are sick or handicapped in some way may require extra care and attention and direct contact may be possible for some longer term volunteers.
Required working time:
Minimum 2 weeks up to 6-12 months
Work hours: 6.30am – 4.45pm each day. Weekends are by roster because obviously the animals need care for 7 days a week.
What to Bring: Essential items to bring are a valid passport; valid visa (see below); alarm clock, sunglasses, hat or cap, sunscreen, insect repellent, toiletries and a raincoat. Dress is casual. Shorts or trousers need to be plain-coloured, comfortable and durable. Due to the nature of the work, it expects to get dirty. Clothes and shoes should be suitable for the weather at the time – warm clothes will be needed from October to March. Jewellery is optional but it is not permitted to be worn at the Centre during working time.
Vaccinations: Check with your Doctor regarding vaccinations for Vietnam. You will require a tetanus vaccination. However, vaccinations are not required or Malaria at Cuc Phuong. Volunteer must be TB free. A rabies vaccination is recommended.
Visa and working permit: If you are volunteering for up to 90 days, you will require a business visa and for more than 3 months additionally a working permit is required. In this case contact us before commencement of your volunteer program or as soon as you decide to stay longer than 3 months.
Communications: The Centre has reasonable mobile phone connection, but only limited internet communications. WIFI is available at the CPNP guesthouse.
5. Accommodation
During the volunteering time, you will stay at a local guesthouse near EPRC, approx. 1km away. The accommodation is very basic with 2 single beds, a television, hot shower and air condition
Volunteers can arrange breakfast, lunch and dinner at the local guesthouse. It will cost approximately $1.5 for breakfast and $4.00 per lunch/dinner.
Transportation from local guesthouse to the centre: Volunteers will have 2 options: You can walk to the centre, it would take approx. 15-20mins walking otherwise you can rent a bike at CPNP approx. $2/bike/day.
6. Donation
v Direct financial support
7. Free time and travel opportunities
The centre is a hill tribe area. Everything is local. The town has very limited facilities so we recommend that volunteers bring books/kindle and some music.
The centre is in the area of Cuc Phuong National Park. In the free time, enjoy trekking through the jungle or day fishing at Mac Lake.
There are some famous tourist destinations in this area that you should not skip: Bai Dinh Pagoda (biggest bronze statue in Vietnam), Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Trang An ecological tourist area...