Volunteers go ‘among the apes’ with Frontier

Channel Five’s new series Among the Apes is the latest documentary about the world’s primates. For a chance to get up close and personal with Orangutans, Baboons and Gibbons consider volunteering with Frontier.

Frontier-Tanzania Endangered Primates
Volunteers will be based in the Kilombero Valley located between the Selous Game Reserve and the wilds of the Udzungwa Mountain Range. The area is rich with Elephants, Hippo, Lions and Buffalo, but it is the primates and the endangered sanje Mangabey monkey that volunteers will mainly track. Other primates include the newly discovered highland Mangabey, Udzungwa red Colobus, black and white Colobus, Sykes monkey, yellow Baboon and Vervet monkey.

Volunteers will survey and assess their populations for long-term conservation of the species and their habitat. The project departs monthly and is available for durations of 2 (£795), 4 (£1,100), 8 (£1,700), 10 (£2,000) and 20 weeks (£3,000). Participants can also gain a nationally accredited BTEC Advanced Diploma (10 weeks or longer) or Advanced Certificate (10 weeks or longer) in Tropical Habitat Conservation.

Frontier-Borneo Rainforest and Orangutan Adventure
This project blends an exhilarating jungle expedition with practical biodiversity surveys as well as providing a lifetime of memories and an understanding of the tropical rainforest. During the trip volunteers will visit the Sepliok Orangutan Sanctuary and spend time amongst the Orangutans to learn about their behavioural patterns and the impact that destruction to their habitat is having on the species. This 15-day project departs 5 September, 3 and 31 October 2009 and costs from £1,295.

Frontier-Indonesia Orangutan Conservation (Sumatra)
Volunteers will stay in remote forest camps as they track Orangutans and other species such as the Sun Bear, Clouded Leopard and Slow Loris. The work of this research project is vital to developing well-targeted conservation programmes aimed at protecting threatened habitats from human encroachment. Departs 20 July, 3 August, 7 September, 5 October, 2 and 30 November in 2009 and costs from $900 for a student (approx £572) and $1,289 for a non-student (approx £820).

Frontier-South African Primate Sanctuary
Enjoy the spectacular backdrop of South Africa whilst working at a monkey sanctuary where a range of different species are rescued and rehabilitated. Species include common marmosets, black lemurs, white-handed gibbons, brown howlers and grey-necked owl monkeys. From the moment volunteers arrive they will be involved in a wide range of hands-on activities alongside expert park rangers. Ongoing departures are available and cost from £995 per month (minimum stay one month).

Frontier-South African Baboon Orphanage Adventure
Volunteers will enjoy the spectacular backdrop of South Africa whilst working at a baboon orphanage just outside the Kruger National Park. Here, baboons that have been orphaned, injured, abandoned by owners, or even shot, are rescued and rehabilitated. Volunteers will have the chance to study the behaviour of these animals, as well as care for them by bottle-feeding, nappy-changing and even indulging in a little rough and tumble with the adolescent baboons. Ongoing departures are available and cost from £1,095 per month (minimum stay one month).

Frontier-Thailand Gibbon Sanctuary
Volunteering at this well-established sanctuary provides the opportunity to study the behaviour of these extraordinary primates. The daily routine will involve care of the gibbons including cleaning out their living quarters, caring for the babies, transferring them between enclosures, visiting older individuals who have suffered previous abuse and aiding them in their socialisation and recovery. The project is ongoing and is available for durations of 2 (£700), 4 (£1,150), 6 (£1,350), 8 (£1,550) and 10 weeks (£1,750).

Frontier trips and projects include comprehensive pre-departure support, travel and medical advice and documentation, equipment advice, discounted kit and a free Frontier T-shirt as standard. In-country: included in the price is food, accommodation, airport transfers, ground transfers, local orientation, project training, project equipment, 24-hour emergency support from project staff and representatives plus international HQ emergency support and backup. All prices exclude flights.

For reservations or more information visit Frontier.ac.uk.