VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES AT FPWC & IAR

Make a positive impact on Nature!

Join FPWC team to help in wildlife conservation work at Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (CWR).

CWR is one of the most bio-diverse areas in Armenia. It’s is the first privately protected area in the entire South Caucasus with an area of 30,000 hectares. It starts along the border of Nakhijevan (Azerbaijan) including the important biodiversity areas of the country that form an ecological connectivity corridor for endangered wildlife. The aim is to contribute to efficient biodiversity protection in Armenia by improving the protection of flora and fauna in the reserve’s previously unsustainably managed buffer zones and wildlife migration corridors.

If you’re looking to make a difference, volunteering in CWR, Urtsadzor community, Armenia with FPWC is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of

What do we offer?
Volunteering at the Bear Rescue Center, Great Bear Rescue Project

During volunteering program, you will share the responsibility of bear keeping by feeding and watering the bears, cleaning their enclosures, providing enrichment means, assisting with hosting the visitors and presenting the Center’s mission and helping in organizing the daily routine of the bears, assisting in the construction and maintenance works of the cages and enclosures as well as lots of conservation activities like camera trapping and monitoring in the area.

The bears receive medical treatment and are nursed back to health, so that they can live out their lives with many other bears in large enclosures. Many bears are sick and disabled and will require permanent care for the remainder of their lives. It can be very emotional work treating and caring for sick and abused animals, so you should try to be prepared for this. Be rest assured that you are amongst like-minded people, who are experiencing the same feelings and emotions as you, and they will be there to support you.

About the Great Bear Rescue Project

The FPWC in partnership with the International Animal Rescue (IAR) launched the “Great Bear Rescue” project, the primary goal of which is providing better conditions for the captive bears, all around region. The animals are being kept in cages mainly due to the human factor, and now they need special care. There are still many captive animals in several entertainment facilities and restaurants, around the region, waiting for their turn to be rescued.

Every year wild bears are illegally caught or trapped by poachers in this region. Once captured, many of them end up in small, squalid cages in restaurants and other public entertainment venues as a tourist attraction. Some are kept in bus depots; others are hidden from view in dark cellars. Some of the bears are mentally and physically damaged by the boredom and frustration of their miserable existence behind bars.

The bears in this region are Syrian Brown Bears (Ursus arctos syriacus), one of the smaller sub-species of brown bear. They are found in the mountainous areas of the country where they forage for fruits, berries and insects in the meadows and forests and hibernate in caves and tree hollows. Their barren prisons are a far cry from their natural home in the forest.

The project aims to free them from their suffering and, after thorough veterinary checks and assessment, rehabilitate and eventually release those that are physically and mentally equipped to fend for themselves in the wild. Those that are not viable for release will be given a permanent home in sanctuaries where they will be well cared for, well fed and have the freedom to express natural bear behavior.

Program Requirements

Age range: 18 – 70 years

In order to join the program, you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

At least B1 English level.

Required Documents

Proof of travel Insurance and Proof of vaccinations.

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

No specific skills are required other than a love for animals, a genuine need to help them, love for nature and a hard working ethic.

You will need to be in good physical condition due to the nature of the work undertaken in a hot and dry environment.

You should be patient, caring, willing to accept new ideas and be prepared to be challenged by alternative cultural views on the treatment of animals.

Included Services

• Airport transfer
• Project Information Package
• Arrival orientation
• Accommodation (heating is also provided during winter months)
• All necessary training by staff or other volunteers
• 24-hour in-country support
• Certificate of Participation

What’s not included in this project?

• Flight ticket
• Travel insurance for the visit period
• Personal spending
• Visas and entry permits
• Meals
• Transportation

Basic twin rooms with private bathroom.

Fresh, filtered water is provided.

Please, note, that the volunteering opportunity is seasonal, you can join us from March till December.

About FPWC

The mission of the FPWC is to work at the crossroads of wildlife protection, environmental education and environmental awareness-raising, sustainable development, engaging rural populations in the sustainable development of their communities. In all projects, FPWC advocates for mutual respect between human beings, natural wealth, and cultural heritage, as FPWC believes these are indispensable conditions for positive

progress in Armenia. FPWC is a member organization of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2012, member of European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (ERAZA).