Internships & Volunteers

Every day is different at the Cikananga Wildlife Center. As a volunteer or intern, you support the permanent Cikananga team in caring for more than 350 rescued animals and helping with the daily operations of the center. Your contribution can make a meaningful difference to wildlife conservation while giving you an unforgettable experience in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by remarkable animals and like-minded conservationists.

Cikananga has welcomed volunteers and students from around the world for almost 15 years, including students studying ecology, wildlife management, veterinary science, and related fields.

After the morning check-in at the food house, a typical day may include preparing and distributing food, cleaning enclosures, creating enrichment, observing animal behaviour, and working together with keepers and other volunteers on various projects. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to assist with education activities at the center.

Depending on the activities taking place during your stay, you may also have the opportunity to observe or assist with animal confiscations and intake, moving or rehoming animals within the center, medical procedures, or activities at the animal clinic. These opportunities depend on the needs of the center and are always carried out under the supervision of our staff.

Life at Cikananga Wildlife Center

The center is located in a secluded area in the hills of West Java. We provide comfortable facilities for volunteers and interns throughout their stay. You will usually be part of a group of 5–15 other volunteers and interns, together with staff who live on-site.

Volunteers and interns stay in wooden dormitories with separate accommodation for men and women. There is also a large canteen with a spectacular view over the surrounding rice fields. The accommodation is located next to the general office and approximately 100 metres from the main medical and animal-care facilities.

Alongside the day-to-day work at Cikananga, there are opportunities to explore the local area and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of West Java. Volunteers can also contribute to the Cikananga organic farm, where fresh and healthy food is grown for the animals at the center.

In summary, volunteering or interning at Cikananga combines a unique experience with meaningful work for wildlife conservation. You will contribute to the care and protection of rescued animals, learn from experienced conservationists, and share your time with people who are working towards the same goal. It is an opportunity to experience a different environment while making a genuine contribution to a cause that matters.

Animal Welfare & Safety

The welfare of the animals is our highest priority. Volunteers are not allowed to touch or handle animals or enter animal facilities without the supervision of Cikananga staff.

We have a strict no-physical-contact policy. Any necessary handling of animals is only permitted when specifically authorized and supervised by our experienced staff. This policy protects both the animals and the people working with them.

Costs

Please find the current volunteer and internship fees in the PDF Volunteer Guide below.

We believe that the opportunity to learn about and contribute to wildlife conservation should be accessible to everyone, both internationally and locally. That is why we aim to keep our fees as low as possible.

Currently (2026) fees for international volunteers and interns range from €125 to €165 per week, depending on the program and duration of your stay. Please notice these prices are subject to change. The fee includes accommodation, two meals per day, and various other services and activities. A reduced fee is available for local (Indonesian) volunteers and interns.

The small surplus generated by the program helps us cover staff salaries, maintain the facilities, and provide food and medical care for the animals.

Cikananga offers opportunities for both international and Indonesian students to complete internships at the center. We welcome students from a range of educational backgrounds, including animal care, nature conservation, wildlife management, veterinary science, veterinary assistance, and related fields.

For students in vocational and bachelor-level programs, we can provide practical experience related to their studies. We also have experience supporting Master's-level projects and welcome students from different levels of education.

Cikananga is an Aequor-licensed learning institute, and many students have completed their internships with us as part of their studies.

If you are interested in an internship, please contact us in advance so we can discuss your study requirements, your specific study area, and potential project preferences. Please additionally to the regular volunteer guide, please also take a look at the intern guide below for more information. Useally we have several assignments and project ideas available, but you are also welcome to propose your own internship project. For applying send us the following items.

1. Please fill out the Application Form 2. Add your Motivation letter 3. Add your CV

We will contact your soon after submitting this. See contact details in the guide.

Please find below a selection of the current assigments for internships at the Cikananga Wildlife Center. If you have an proposal, or a specific field to study related to conservation, ecology or (para-)veterinary, please don't hesitate to contact us to see if we can accomodate your internship.